Lisztomania

Ken Russell's characteristically spectacular biopic of Liszt, with Roger Daltrey portraying the composer as a rock god, is a heady brew complete with garish Freudian symbolism, Hitler, spaceships and Ringo Starr as the Pope.

Ken Russell's characteristically irreverent and spectacular biopic of Liszt not surprisingly eschews the straightforward documentary approach. Liszt is made over as a rock god (played by Roger Daltrey), complete with gigs, teenybopper fans, liggers and rock arrangements of Liszt and Wagner courtesy of Rick Wakeman. Into this mix Russell throws film references and parodies galore, Freudian symbolism, Hitler, spaceships and Ringo Starr as the Pope. An exhaustingly exuberant and heady brew.