I'm currently reading the Penguin edition of "The Lair of the White Worm" by Bram Stoker, creator of the classic "Dracula". This book, like the vampire tale, is cinematic in style, although I hadn't realised that it had been made in to a film, apparently with changed setting, narrative and characters, by Ken Russell.
Stoker's story, published in 1911, is set in the North Midlands and draws on the history of the ancient kingdom of Mercia.
It's certainly the kind of material which would appeal to Russell, and those who enjoy his horror movies.
The book's front page review quote from The New York Times describes it as a "surreal and dark-humoured tale." Great stuff, but not recommended for those of a politically correct disposition !
In short, "The Lair of the White Worm" is definitely more Ken Russell than Ken Loach material, and comes in the spirit of the British Film Institute's "Old, Weird Britain" retrospective last year.
