Russell's deep Catholicism can be seen in his films, ranging from the devotion of the early amateur films, to the testing of the faith in films like The Devils, and finally the mocking of the trappings of organised religion.

On Ebay the film Savage Messiah was advertised as Russell's film about kinky sex.  Another weak critic who hasn't actually seen the film. In fact it is about unconsummated love, a common theme in his work.

A very visual filmmaker, Russell uses the elements- air, fire, water, earth- to the full.

Dreams, piles of dead bodies, Nazis, cripples. All signs of an active schoolboy imagination at work.

Many favourite images are reused in various films.