Elgar a film by Ken Russell was released on video and DVD by the British Film Institute this week, with the national launch being given at the Elgar Birthplace Museum.

The original black and white film, which was made for the BBC in 1962, has been produced now with an additional 15 minutes of archive footage.

Much was filmed on location, and the splendid beauty and spirit of the Malvern Hills have been evoked lucidly.

Elgar's first song To Flowers, for which he wrote the words also, was composed for his sister's birthday, and is interesting to hear.

Contemporary scenarios of royal, ceremonial and wartime events are shown in tandem with Elgar's compositions, such as the Imperial March.

Several buildings connected closely with Elgar, including Marlbank and Powick Hospital, have been demolished since making the 1962 film.

The extra material shows hitherto unseen recordings made at several Three Choirs Festivals, where Elgar is viewed alongside eminent figures.

These include Walford Davies, W H Reed, George Bernard Shaw and Barry Jackson, among others. An expressive close-up of Elgar is a significant inclusion, as are the happy scenes of him with his dogs, and Carice with hers, in the garden at Marlbank.

Some fine filming of Elgar conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra during a recording of the famous Pomp & Circumstance March complete this important historical work.

Jill Hopkins