The Lion's Mouth

The Lion's Mouth is a 2000 film directed by Ken Russell. It was known as Leonmania.[1]

For the song by Kajagoogoo, see Islands (Kajagoogoo album).

Russell made it in his own house for his own money for a budget of 20,000 pounds.[2] It launched Russell on a series of self financed "underground" films, a return to the sort of movies he made at the start of his career.[3][4]

During the making of the film Russell said "I haven't enjoyed the experience of making a film since Amelia and the Angel. Everything in between had its ups and downs, but somehow I think this is really me, this film... I'm totally responsible for it and I didn't want to do it any other way."[5]

Plot

The film was inspired by the Reverend Harold Davidson, the Rector of Stiffkey, a rector in the 1930s who helped prostitutes.

Cast
  • Diana Laurie as Josephine Heatherington
  • Ken Russell as Ken the Clown
  • Tulip Junkie as Nippy / Lion
  • Emma Millions as Tart / Androcles
  • Nipper as The dog

Production

When no actor seemed suitable for the role of the vicar, Russell decided to change the film to be a Citizen Kane style investigation of a journalist into the history of the vicar.[3]

References
  1. "Ken Russell article Lions Mouth".
  2. Ken Russell left to make home movies in garage: Richard Brooks Arts Editor. Sunday Times;4 Feb 2001: 10.
  3. "The Lion's Mouth". Ken Russell Tribute page.
  4. Flanagan, Kevin M. (3 August 2009). Ken Russell: Re-Viewing England's Last Mannerist. Scarecrow Press. p. 58. ISBN 9780810869554.
  5. LIGHTS, LAWNMOWER, CAMCORDER, ACTION Sweet, Matthew. The Independent 2 Oct 2000: 6,7,8.


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