Ken Russell: a Bit of a Devil, BBC Two, preview Infamous, flamboyant film-maker Ken Russell died last year aged 84. This tribute sees Alan Yentob reflect on a colourful career. Russell first made his name in the Sixties with brilliant documentaries on Elgar, Delius and Debussy, which not only brought their music to life with inspiring images, but also humanised them by using actors - a pioneering move in factual television at the time. His fearless approach and unfettered imagination soon led to Women in Love, a rollicking romp which earned Glenda Jackson an Oscar, and Russell notoriety for its nude wrestling scene. This was followed by taboo-busting drama The Devils, then commercial success with musical comedy The Boy Friend and his extravagant, star-studded take on The Who's rock opera Tommy. Russell remained intensely creative into his late years, making self-financed sci-fi and horror right to the end. This portrait features interviews with friends and collaborators including Jackson, Terry Gilliam, Twiggy, Melvyn Bragg, Robert Powell and Roger Daltrey. The programme will be followed by a chance to see the maverick director's two films based on the novels of DH Lawrence, Women in Love (9.50pm) and The Rainbow (12.45am), starting a retrospective season of Russell's work. Ken Russell: a Bit of a Devil is on BBC Two on Saturday 14 January at 9.00pm