The film caused such a row upon its initial telecast that a motion was introduced on the floor of Parliament to condemn the BBC for airing it. The BBC initially defended the work but eventually sought to mollify critics by airing a panel discussion taking the film to task, prompting Ken Russell to finally part ways with the network.

The Strauss estate was so outraged by the film that an injunction was taken out, banning the use of Strauss’s music on the soundtrack, effectively preventing any further broadcasts because the film can be seen but it cannot be heard. When clips from the film have been shown in TV documentaries about Russell, the director has taken an odd form of revenge by using pop versions of Johann Strauss Jr’s music on the soundtrack.

Omnibus von Ken Russell, 1970.