Lisztomania (1975) DVD

Released the same year as Tommy, Ken Russell’s rock opera starring The Who, Lisztomania captures the same frenetic intensity mixed with not a little bit of Benny Hill-style nonsense.

Roger Daltry’s performace as composer Franz Liszt isn’t the most skilful, but his wide-eyed piano thumping is certainly arresting. The premise is that Liszt was a rock star of his time, with the groupies, screaming fans and artistic rivalries to prove it. Hell, he even has a piano key dressing gown.

Sex and the church – director Ken Russell’s favourite themes – get ample attention. A serene Ringo Starr as the Pope in all his cowboy-booted glory forbids Liszt’s marriage to princess Caroline. His arch rival, according to the Pope ‘the embodiment of evil’, Richard Wagner marries Liszt’s daughter. This jealous act inspires Liszt to become a monk. That’s pretty much it as far as plot goes. Vampires, flame-throwing organs, a panpipe spaceship and a giant penis more than make up for any shortcomings of the story.

It’s a sad fact that no film like this could be made today. Spice World is about as close as we’ve got to this ridiculous but charming musical biography. Lisztomania is undoubtedly insane – Daltry’s pastiche of Charlie Chaplin is terrifying – but the music sounds brilliant and it’s dated enough to be kitsch without becoming quaint.

Abigail Gliddon