Lisztomania Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A composer becomes a 19th-century rock star who fights a Nazi-Frankenstein Richard Wagner from outer space with a rocket powered by his former lovers and the Pope.

🍿 Lisztomania: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The 19th-Century Rock Star

The film opens with Franz Liszt portrayed as a superstar pianist, complete with screaming, adoring female fans, mirroring the frenzy of modern rock concerts. He is depicted living a life of hedonism and infidelity, maintaining multiple affairs while married to Marie d’Agoult. His flamboyant performances and lifestyle stand in contrast to the more traditional approach of fellow composer Richard Wagner, setting the stage for their complex and often antagonistic relationship. Liszt navigates a world of wealth, fame, and romantic entanglements, symbolizing the excesses of his era’s celebrity.

Seeking Redemption and New Love

Amidst his tumultuous life, Liszt seeks a more stable relationship with Princess Carolyn of St. Petersburg. Their desire to marry faces obstacles, particularly from the Church, leading to intervention from none other than the Pope. Blocked from marriage and seemingly seeking spiritual solace, Liszt attempts to embrace a monastic life, becoming an abbé. However, he struggles to escape his past reputation and the temptations that continue to surround him.

Rivalry with Wagner Intensifies

Liszt’s relationship with Richard Wagner becomes increasingly central and twisted. Wagner is portrayed as a manipulative, often vampiric figure, literally sucking the creative energy from Liszt. The rivalry takes on increasingly bizarre and symbolic forms, intertwining with themes of nationalism, ambition, and conflicting musical philosophies, pushing the narrative far beyond historical accuracy into surreal allegory.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Franz Liszt (Roger Daltrey): The flamboyant composer treated like a rock star who attempts to balance his hedonistic life with his artistic and personal aspirations.
• Richard Wagner (Paul Nicholas): Liszt’s rival composer, portrayed as a scheming, vampiric figure who later becomes a monstrous Nazi Antichrist.
• Princess Carolyn (Sara Kestelman): A Russian princess and one of Liszt’s mistresses with whom he seeks true love, but their marriage plans are thwarted.
• The Pope (Ringo Starr): An unexpected and surreal figure who advises Liszt to confront Wagner and fight evil.
• Cosima (Veronica Quilligan): Liszt’s daughter who becomes infatuated with and marries his rival, Richard Wagner, later aligning with his evil plans.
• Marie (Fiona Lewis): Liszt’s long-suffering mistress and wife, whose relationship is strained by his constant infidelity.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Liszt: “Time kills critics, my dear.” – Said dismissively when asked by his daughter Cosima what he wants his ‘sword’ (a symbol) for, suggesting patience is the best weapon against detractors.
• Wagner: “Through me you will serve the superman. You will be the master race.” – Delivered to a group of seemingly indoctrinated girls, revealing his megalomaniacal and proto-fascist ambitions.
• Strauss: “No! Levi Strauss!” – A sarcastic response to Wagner asking if he is Johann Strauss, highlighting the film’s anachronistic and absurd humor.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Lisztomania Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I watched *Lisztomania* and… wow. Just, wow. I’ve seen some weird stuff, but this takes the cake, throws it at a giant rubber penis, and then turns it into a spaceship. Seriously, watching Roger Daltrey swing on a curtain like a rock god while screaming fans lose their minds? That was a trip. And don’t even get me started on Ringo Starr as the Pope in cowboy boots. I spent half the movie trying to figure out what was even happening, especially with the whole Wagner-as-Frankenstein-Hitler thing. It’s definitely not a traditional movie; it’s more like a series of bizarre, often uncomfortable, music videos strung together. But for all its flaws and questionable choices, I can’t deny it’s unforgettable. It’s the kind of film you have to see just to say you’ve seen it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Ken Russell’s unique and flamboyant directing style”
  • “Viewers who appreciate surreal and avant-garde cinema”
  • “Fans of Roger Daltrey and 1970s rock musicals”
  • “Cult film enthusiasts”
  • “Those interested in unconventional takes on biographical subjects”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Explicit Sexual Content (Nudity, including male and female, pervasive phallic imagery, suggestive scenes)”
  • “Violence (Stylized violence, machine gun use, potentially disturbing imagery involving historical atrocities)”
  • “Offensive/Controversial Content (Graphic imagery, tasteless humor, use of Nazi symbolism)”
  • “Religious Themes (Satirical and potentially blasphemous portrayal of religious figures and themes)”

Professional Reviews

• Based on user reviews: “Ken Russell takes the life of Franz Liszt and turns it into an absolute visual acid trip. It’s less a biography and more a chaotic stream of consciousness filled with bizarre imagery and jarring tonal shifts. While often vulgar and overindulgent, its sheer weirdness and lack of restraint make it a fascinating, albeit exhausting, experience unlike anything else you’ll see.
• Based on user reviews: “Despite a promising premise comparing classical celebrity to rock stardom, this film descends into an incomprehensible mess. The acting is often flat (even from Daltrey), the script feels non-existent, and the relentless parade of vulgarity and offensive sequences, particularly the Wagner/Nazi elements, feels tasteless rather than provocative. A prime example of self-indulgence gone wrong.
• Based on user reviews: “If you surrender to the sheer absurdity, Lisztomania is a wildly entertaining spectacle. It’s pure, unadulterated Ken Russell – audacious visuals, campy performances (Ringo as the Pope!), and a gleeful disregard for historical accuracy. It’s a hilarious, over-the-top romp that challenges expectations and delights in its own outrageousness. A must-see for fans of cult cinema.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were often left bewildered but sometimes thrilled by the extreme, surreal visuals.: The film is praised for its unique, unrestrained visual style, Rick Wakeman’s score, and its cult status as a bizarre, unforgettable experience.

Overall Consensus: Lisztomania is a highly divisive, visually excessive, and historically inaccurate musical fantasy often described as a ‘trip’ or ‘absurdist,’ praised by cult fans for its unique weirdness but criticized by others for being vulgar, tasteless, and incoherent.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Lisztomania was the very first movie to be encoded with a Dolby Stereo optical soundtrack, marking a significant milestone in film sound technology.”
• “Ken Russell approached fashion designers Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood to design costumes for his previous film, ‘Mahler’, linking his work tangentially to the burgeoning punk scene that McLaren and Westwood were central to.”
• “Director Ken Russell later expressed mixed feelings about the film, acknowledging its excesses and noting that some elements, like the opening musical number, were included against his preferences.”
• “The film was part of a planned series of composer biopics by producer David Puttnam and Ken Russell, following ‘Mahler’, though not all planned films materialized.”
• “Filming locations included interiors at the New Wimbledon Theatre in London, used to represent the concert halls and theatrical settings in the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Lisztomania?

Finding Ken Russell’s controversial musical fantasy ‘Lisztomania’ can be a unique quest. While not always readily available on major subscription streaming services, you can often find it for rent or purchase on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, or other digital storefronts that specialize in cult or classic films. Physical copies on DVD or Blu-ray may also be available from online retailers, offering the most reliable way to watch this bizarre cinematic experience.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Lisztomania, you might like these similar films:

• The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975): Shares a similar release year, embraces camp, musical numbers, overt sexuality, and a non-traditional, cult-favorite approach to its subject matter.
• Tommy (1975): Directed by Ken Russell and starring Roger Daltrey, this rock opera features similarly elaborate, over-the-top visuals and a non-linear, symbolic narrative style.
• The Devils (1971): Another highly controversial Ken Russell film that uses flamboyant visuals and intense themes to explore historical events and figures in a provocative, non-traditional way.
• Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001): A musical film that blends biography and fantasy to explore themes of identity, performance, and the complexities of being a marginalized artist and pop figure.

🛒 Lisztomania Related Products

• Lisztomania (Original Soundtrack Album): Rick Wakeman’s wild and unconventional interpretation of Liszt and Wagner’s music, blending classical themes with 70s rock and synth sounds.
• Ken Russell: The Rebel Maestro (Book): An in-depth look at the controversial director’s career, exploring his unique vision, including his composer biographies like Lisztomania.
• Roger Daltrey – Discography (Digital Collection): Explore the musical career of the film’s star, from his work with The Who to his solo albums.
• The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Blu-ray or DVD): Often compared to Lisztomania for its cult status, musical numbers, and over-the-top campy style.

🎧 Soundtrack

Lisztomania features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Rienzi / Chopsticks Fantasia” – performed by Richard Wagner and Franz Liszt (adapted by Rick Wakeman)
• “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6” – performed by Franz Liszt (adapted by Rick Wakeman)
• “Liebestraum” – performed by Franz Liszt (adapted by Rick Wakeman)
• “Excelsior Song” – performed by Roger Daltrey

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Lisztomania – Clip

Ever wondered what a rock star from the 1840s would look like in a Ken Russell movie? This clip gives you a taste of the absolute wild energy and over-the-top spectacle that makes ‘Lisztomania’ so unforgettable – it’s pure, glorious chaos!

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