As part of Ken Russell's series of imaginative, experimental biopics of great composers, The Music Lovers is filled with his signature provocation and excess, but ultimately brings a sympathetic lens to bear on Tchaikovsky's life in the repressed society of 19th-century Russia. The BFI's Blu-ray release presents the film in High Definition, with extras including a new audio commentary by film historian Matthew Melia and a new interview with Ken Russell's son.

Guided throughout by the swells and dips of Tchaikovsky's music, the film, with screenplay by Melvyn Bragg, unfolds in opulent and fantastical musical sequences that portray scenes from the composer's life between 1875 and 1881. Touching on his disastrous marriage with Antonina Miliukova, his relationship with patroness Nadezhda von Meck and his repressed homosexuality, The Music Lovers is anchored by magnetic central performances from Glenda Jackson as Antonina, following her award-winning role in Women in Love, and Richard Chamberlain as a memorably neurotic Tchaikovsky.

The Music Lovers (1971) will be released on Blu-ray by the BFI on 24 June 2024 at the RRP of £19.99.

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

• Newly recorded audio commentary by film historian Matthew Melia
• It Runs in the Family (2024, 20 mins): Ken Russell's son, Alexander Verney-Elliott, looks back upon his father's work, and remembers his own appearance in The Music Lovers
• Charlotte Brontë Enters the Big Brother House (2007, 16 mins): Ken Russell staged, directed and filmed this 'radical Brontë' ballet for young people, illustrating Jane Eyre
• The Guardian Interview: Melvyn Bragg (1988, 76mins): ten years after the inception of The South Bank Show, Melvyn Bragg discusses his career in television and film with writer Ronald Harwood, at the National Film Theatre in London
• Galina Ulanova in "Swan Lake" (1940, 4 mins): one of the greatest ballerinas of all time performs a dance from Tchaikovsky's masterpiece
• Musical Highlights from USSR Today (1953-56, 10 mins): edited highlights from three editions of the Soviet newsreel, gathering items about Tchaikovsky and Russian musical arts
• Costume designs: original sketches by Shirley Russell 
• Original trailer 
• First pressing only: Illustrated booklet with new writing on the film by Matthew Melia, a new essay by Caroline Langhorst and contributions from Alexander Verney-Elliott and Lisi Russell; notes on the special features and credits.