THE release on DVD and video of Ken Russell's film Elgar has prompted reminiscences amongst those who watched it when it was first broadcast by the BBC in 1962.

For Malvern Hills Conservator Dudley Brook, two shots from the film have stuck in his memory.

"One most impressive shot was of the actor standing on the prominent rocky hump above the town," he said. "It was probably shot from Grange Road and started with a zoom which made Elgar appear to be standing there, not too far away. It then zoomed back to show the true height of the hill.

"The second one was of him riding his bike along the path north from Thirds Wood just above Jubilee Drive. The shot seemed to go on forever and there were no trees to interrupt the shot as there are now. He would be almost out of sight if the film was being made there now."

The film was literally a life-changer for Judith Stone, now of West Malvern.

"Sitting in a bed-sit in Northampton in the 1960s, during a particularly low period in my life, I happened to see the Elgar film on television," she said. "It affected me so much. Why? I don't know."

A few days later, she saw a coach firm advertising a day trip to the Malverns. She went and, standing alone on the summit of the Beacon, vowed one day to live here.

She said: "Many years later, the occasion arose to cut old ties and start afresh - but where? There was no hesitation.

"Four months later, Richard and I moved into our lovely little cottage on the lower slopes of the hills which I had never forgotten, having first seen them that dismal evening all those years ago in Mr Russell's black and white film. Thank you, Ken!"