Eccentric director Ken Russell dies

British film director Ken Russell, who was nominated for an Oscar in 1970 during a prolific and eccentric career, has died at the age of 84.

Russell is believed to have been ill for some time and his family have confirmed he died on Sunday.

Once considered an enfant terrible of the British movie world, Russell started his career in television before making his name as a director with a sexually graphic adaptation of D. H Lawrence's "Women in Love".

But as time went on his films became more extreme.

Russell's 1971 film “The Devils” reflected his fascination with sex and religion; a fascination which saw several countries ban the film or heavily edit it before release.

“He also disturbed me,” American film director Martin Scorsese told the BBC. “Whether you liked it or disliked it, you had a strong reaction to the work either way. And this is rare.”