A British Picture

The updated autobiography of Britains most controversial film director the maker of Women in Love The Devils The Music Lovers Tommy and The Rainbow is as unconventional and brilliant as his best films Moving with astonishing assurance through time and space Russell recreates his life in a series of interconnected episodes his thirties childhood in Southampton his first sexual experience watching Disneys Pinocchio his schooldays at the Nautical College Pangbourne early careers in the Merchant Marine and the Royal Air Force dancing days at the Shepherds Bush Ballet Club and of course his career as a filmmaker beginning with an extraordinary interview with Huw Weldon for a job on Monitor Full of marvellously funny anecdotes and fascinating insights into the realities of the film directors life A British Picture is a remarkable autobiography