Ken Russell The Great Composers Dual Format

Triple bill of documentary-style BBC dramas from film-maker Ken Russell. Made for the arts programme 'Monitor', 'Elgar' (1962) dramatises the life of English composer Sir Edward Elgar (George McGrath) and tells the story of his music in a series of visualisations. 'The Debussy Film' (1965), which was also made for the 'Monitor' programme, chronicles the life of French composer Claude Debussy (Oliver Reed).

Meanwhile, a director (Vladek Sheybal) struggles to make his own film about Debussy's life. Made for the 'Omnibus' arts series, 'Song of Summer' (1968) depicts the last five years of Frederick Delius (Max Adrian)'s life as the devoted, young composer Eric Fenby (Christopher Gable) aids him in completing his final, unfinished scores.