Salome's Last Dance
| Salome's Last Dance | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Ken Russell |
| Produced by | Penny Corke |
| Written by |
Oscar Wilde Ken Russell Vivian Russell |
| Starring |
Glenda Jackson Stratford Johns Nickolas Grace Douglas Hodge Imogen Claire Imogen Millais-Scott |
| Cinematography | Harvey Harrison |
| Edited by | Timothy Gee |
| Distributed by | Vestron Pictures |
Release dates | 1988 |
Running time | 87 min. |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $800,000[1] |
Salome's Last Dance is a 1988 film by British film director, Ken Russell. Although most of the action is a verbatim performance of Oscar Wilde's 1893 play Salome, which is itself based on a story from the New Testament, there is also a framing narrative written by Russell himself. Wilde (Nickolas Grace) and his lover Lord Alfred Douglas (Douglas Hodge) arrive late on Guy Fawkes Day at their friend's brothel, where they are treated to a surprise staging of Wilde's play, public performances of which have just been banned in England by the Lord Chamberlain's office.
Plot
In the play, all the roles are played by prostitutes or their clients, and each actor (except Grace) plays two roles, one in the brothel and the other in the play. King Herod (Stratford Johns) begs his young stepdaughter Salome (Imogen Millais-Scott) to dance for him, promising to give her anything she desires, much to the irritation of her mother, Herodias (Glenda Jackson). Salome ignores him, choosing instead to try and seduce John the Baptist, who is Herod's prisoner. John responds by loudly condemning both Herod and Salome in the name of God. A spurned and vengeful Salome then agrees to dance for Herod — on the condition that she be given anything she asks for. Herod agrees, but it is only after the dance is over that Salome asks for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Herod is appalled, tries to dissuade her, but finally gives in to her request. The scenes from the play are interwoven with images of Wilde's exploits at the brothel.
Production
The film was shot for $800,000 over a four-week period in London. Ken Russell had been signed by Vestron to a three picture deal after the success of Gothic, of which this was the first. Imogen Millais-Scott went blind three weeks before filming after contracting glandular fever but Russell insisted on still using her.[1]
Reception
This film met with modest critical acclaim. The review in the New York Times called it "a perfumed, comic stunt," but noted that "Mr. Russell forces one to attend to (and to discover the odd glory in) the Wilde language, which, on the printed page, works faster than valium."[2]
References
- 1 2 Dan Ireland on Salome's Last Dance at Trailers From Hell
- ↑ Vincent Canby, "Salome's Last Dance: Review/Film; Salome and Decadence, Via Wilde via Russell", The New York Times, 6 May 1988.