Henry Kenneth Alfred Russell, known as Ken Russell (born 3 July 1927), is an English film director. He is known for his pioneering work in television and film and for his controversial style. He has been criticized as being overly obsessed with sexuality and the church.

His subject matter is often about famous composers, or based on other works of art which he adapts loosely. Russell began directing for the BBC, where he did creative adaptations of composers' lives which were unusual for the time. He also directed many feature films independently and for studios.

He is best known for his Oscar-winning film Women in Love (1969), The Devils (film) (1971), The Who's Tommy (1975), and the sci-fi film Altered States (1980). Russell was born in Southampton, England on July 3, 1927. His father was distant and took out his rage on his family, so Russell spent much of his time at the cinema with his mother.

He cites Die Nibelungen and The Secret of the Loch as two early influences. He was educated in Walthamstow and at Pangbourne College. He served in both the Royal Air Force and the Merchant Navy, and moved into television work after short careers in dance and photography.

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