Composer Gustav Mahler's (Robert Powell) life, told in a series of flashbacks as he and his wife (Georgina Hale) discuss their failing marriage during a train journey.
Director:
Writer:
Stars:
Awards:
- Won 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Robert Powell | ... |
Gustav Mahler
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| Georgina Hale | ... |
Alma Mahler
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| Lee Montague | ... |
Bernhard Mahler
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| Miriam Karlin | ... |
Aunt Rosa
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| Rosalie Crutchley | ... |
Marie Mahler
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Gary Rich | ... |
Young Mahler
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| Richard Morant | ... |
Max
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Angela Down | ... |
Justine Mahler
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| Antonia Ellis | ... |
Cosima Wagner
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| Ronald Pickup | ... |
Nick
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| Peter Eyre | ... |
Otto Mahler
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| Dana Gillespie | ... |
Anna von Mildenburg
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| George Coulouris | ... |
Doctor Roth
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| David Collings | ... |
Hugo Wolfe
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Arnold Yarrow | ... |
Grandfather
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David Trevena | ... |
Doctor Richter
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Elaine Delmar | ... |
Princess
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Benny Lee | ... |
Uncle
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| Andrew Faulds | ... |
Doctor on Train
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| Otto Diamant | ... |
Professor Sladky
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Michael Southgate | ... |
Alois Mahler
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| Kenneth Colley | ... |
Krenek
(as Ken Colley)
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Sarah McLellan | ... |
Putzi
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Claire McLellan | ... |
Glucki
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Oliver Reed | ... |
Train Conductor (uncredited)
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Alex Russell | ... |
(uncredited)
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Directed by
| Ken Russell | ||
Written by
| Ken Russell | ... | (written by) |
Produced by
| Roy Baird | ... | producer (produced by) |
| Sanford Lieberson | ... | executive producer (as Sandy Lieberson) |
| David Puttnam | ... | executive producer |
Cinematography by
| Dick Bush | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Michael Bradsell | ||
Editorial Department
| Stuart Baird | ... | assistant editor |
Art Direction by
| Ian Whittaker | ||
Costume Design by
| Shirley Russell | ||
Makeup Department
| Joyce James | ... | hairdresser |
| Peter Robb-King | ... | makeup artist |
Production Management
| John Comfort | ... | production supervisor |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Mike Gowans | ... | assistant director (as Michael Gowans) |
Art Department
| Andy Andrews | ... | chief props |
| Roger Christian | ... | associate art director |
| Paul Dufficey | ... | original oil painting |
| Ron Lewis | ... | chief props |
| Jill Quertier | ... | property buyer (as Gillian Quertier) |
| Peter Verard | ... | construction manager: F.T.V. Scenery Ltd |
| Michael Guyett | ... | scenic painter (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Iain Bruce | ... | sound recordist |
| Ian Fuller | ... | dubbing editor |
| Gerry Humphreys | ... | dubbing mixer (as Gerry Humphries) |
| Charlie McFadden | ... | sound assistant (as Charles McFadden) |
| Gerry Humphreys | ... | re-recording mixer (uncredited) |
| Charlie McFadden | ... | boom operator (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| John Richardson | ... | special effects |
Camera and Electrical Department
| David Cadwallader | ... | grip |
| Eddie Collins | ... | camera operator |
| Micky Thomas | ... | chief electrician: Lee Electric {Lighting} Ltd. |
| Malcolm Vinson | ... | camera assistant |
| Frank Connor | ... | still photographer (uncredited) |
| Derek Suter | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
| Micky Thomas | ... | gaffer (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Richard Pointing | ... | wardrobe master |
| Leonard Pollack | ... | assistant to costume designer (as Lenny Pollack) |
Location Management
| Richard Green | ... | location manager |
Music Department
| John Forsyth | ... | music coordinator |
| Bernard Haitink | ... | conductor: Concertgebouw Orchestra |
| Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest | ... | orchestra: The Mahler Symphonies (as Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam) |
| Michael Moores | ... | music arranger: piano (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Kay Mander | ... | continuity / script supervisor (uncredited) |
Additional Crew
| Clinton Cavers | ... | production assistant |
| Brenda Dale | ... | assistant to producer |
| Janet Deuters | ... | chrysalis sequence devised by |
| Gillian Gregory | ... | choreographer |
| Robin Demetriou | ... | chef: cast and crew (uncredited) |
| John Smallcombe | ... | assistant to director (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- VPS-Goodtimes (1974) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- British Empire Films Australia (1974) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Gaumont Distribution (1974) (France) (theatrical)
- Gaumont S.A.B. (1974) (Belgium) (theatrical)
- Specialty Films (1974) (United States) (theatrical)
- New Gold Entertainment (1974) (Italy)
- Valio-Filmi (1975) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Kommunenes Filmcentral (KF) (1976) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Mayfair Films (1976) (United States) (theatrical)
- Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) (1982) (United States) (tv) (broadcast premiere)
- Adrian Munsey (1990) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- Image Entertainment (1998) (United States) (DVD)
- Fremantle Home Entertainment (2005) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Odeon Entertainment (2012) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- The Criterion Collection (United States) (video) (Internet)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- F.T.V. Scenery (construction management)
- Lee Electric (chief electrics)
- National Trust (the producers wish to thank: for their co-operation in location shooting of this production in Cumberland)
- Phonogram International (by arrangement with: Concertgebouw Orchestra)
- Twickenham Film Studios (sound re-recorded at)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Both trifles and structure are tossed out the door by director Ken Russell in this film. Here, historical content matters less than metaphors, feelings, emotions, and interpretations. Pay close attention, as every word and frame is intended to be important. The film takes place on a single train ride, in which the sickly composer Gustav Mahler (Robert Powell) and his wife Alma (Georgina Hale) confront the reasons behind their faltering marriage and dying love. Each word evokes memories of the past, so the audience witnesses events of Mahler's life that somewhat explain his present state. Included are his turbulent and dysfunctional family life as a child, his discovery of solace in the "natural" world, his brother's suicide, his (unwanted) conversion from Judaism to Catholicism, his rocky marriage, and the death of their young child. The movie weaves in and out of dreams, flashbacks, thoughts, and reality as Russell poetically describes the man behind the music.
Written by Jonathan Dakss |
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| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | Ken Russell was inspired to make his film about composer Gustav Mahler after greatly disliking Death in Venice (1971). In a segment of his autobiography about this film, Russell said that he thought that the other "so-called Mahler film," "Death in Venice," was rubbish. "People think it's about Mahler, all because his music is part of the soundtrack! The director, Luchino Visconti, never said it was about him, though." So he mocked the film in his movie. He had a satirical moment when Mahler looks out of the train and sees his dying lookalike. In Visconti's movie, the young actor playing Tadzio was 15, but in this film, as in Thomas Mann's book, the boy being ogled is only a child. See more » |
| Goofs | When Mahler's train leaves St. Pölten, a sign is visible identifying the town as "Saint Pölten". Yet, the German long script for the town is "Sankt Pölten". See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in A British Picture (1989). See more » |
| Soundtracks | In Stormy Weather See more » |
| Quotes |
[last lines]
Gustav Mahler: [reminded of some medications he should take] They won't be needed! We're going to live forever! See more » |