Ken writes in The Times today, 11 Nov 2008 about his 10 influences. Usually when Ken does something like this it seems arbitrary, but this time it is well thought out and sincere, especially the last one. The influences are
The Movies “…Mum was a real film fan, taking me along with her to the cinema at least three times a week till it was time to start school…”
The Conker Tree “…the big conker (horse chestnut) tree at the end of the garden, which became a galleon if I'd just seen The Black Pirate, Sherwood Forest after Robin Hood, or a cathedral after a screening of The Hunchback of Notre Dame…"
Busby Berkeley“…I was mesmerised by the magnificent movies of Busby Berkeley: 42nd Street, Footlight Parade, et al. Art deco in dance of a high order, unashamedly inspiring several numbers in my screen version of The Boyfriend. ..”
Jean Cocteau “La Belle et la Bête, which had my daughter Molly, then 6, and myself in tears the last time I saw it”. Ken includes a quote from Cocteau “An artist cannot speak about his art any more than a plant can discuss horticulture.”
Amelia and the Angel Ken mentions La Belle et la BĂŞte which inspired his early home movie Amelia and the Angel.
Sir Huw WheldonAs always Ken mentions Huw of the BBC Monitor films as a major influence in his career.
Classical music “…The day I heard Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto on the radio, while vegetating at home after being invalided out of the Merchant Navy, was the day that led me to the discovery of classical music, which changed my life...” This is the piece that Richard Chamberlaine plays in the concert scene of The Music Lovers.
The Roman Catholic Church“…one of my greatest influences of all - the Catholic Church… I went for instruction from the Poor Clares in Portobello Road and after six months' Bible-bashing, I was sent to a local priest for baptism. “Have you anything to say before you take this enormous step?” he asked as I faced him across the font. “Well, to tell you the truth, Father,” I stammered, “there are times when I just don't believe.” “Join the club,” he replied. I did, and I never looked back…”
Skiddaw mountain“…Skiddaw, Coleridge's “God made manifest”, as he called his favourite mountain in the Lake District. Perched above Keswick like a mighty bird of prey with a five-mile wingspread, it seems poised, ready at any moment to take wing, fly down Derwentwater, up the Borrowdale Valley, over Castle Crag and into infinity, drawing the whole world up into its wake…”
The OtherAnd finally he mentions Elise his wife “…who pervades my every thought and deed. Everything I do, to quote Ludwig van Beethoven, is “für Elise”. If love is a tree, I live in its shade"