There are those who will never connect with of Ken Russell's wild imagination and lack of restraint, and then there are those of us who thank the cinematic gods that there was ever someone out there making the sort of films he did. His 1975 Lisztomania was for his critics something of a final straw, yet for Russell fans has been a work too long out of circulation.

This flamboyant extravaganza tells the scandalous tale of superstar composer Franz Liszt's (Roger Daltry) hedonistic life of groupies, sex and music, as well as his rivalry with the scheming Richard Wagner (Paul Nicholas). After enjoying the fruits of his celebrity, Liszt tries to find true love with one of his mistresses, Princess Caroline. The Pope (Ringo Starr) forbids their marriage and Liszt attempts to adopt a monastic lifestyle. The vampiric Wagner marries Liszt's daughter, Cosima, and then battles for world domination by unleashing the Viking God, Thor (Rick Wakeman), and his troupe of robot Nazis. The only way to save the world is through Liszt and all of his mistresses in a rocket ship to destroy the resurrected Wagner who has now become the Nazi Antichrist. Did you get all that? And unless you've seen it you've still no idea just how freewheeling, outrageous and over-the-top this look at the life of the world's first pop superstar it.

And finally, Lisztomania is coming to UK DVD on 4th may 2009 from Digital Classics at the RRP of £14.99. Unfortunately it doesn't look as though extras are on the cards - Russell's input here would be invaluable.