Tommy (1975)

Director:

Ken Russell

Writers:

Pete Townshend (album)
Ken Russell (writer)

Release Date:

26 March 1975 (UK)

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy | Musical

Tagline:

Your senses will never be the same

Plot:

A psychosomatically deaf, dumb and blind boy becomes a master pinball player and the object of a religious cult because of that.

Plot Keywords:

Visually Impaired Person | England | Holiday Camp | Dysfunctional Family | Rock Opera

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Oliver Reed	...	Frank Hobbs
Ann-Margret	...	Nora Walker Hobbs
Roger Daltrey	...	Tommy Walker
Elton John	...	Local Lad
Eric Clapton	...	The Preacher
John Entwistle	...	Himself
Keith Moon	...	Uncle Ernie
Paul Nicholas	...	Cousin Kevin
Jack Nicholson	...	The Specialist
Robert Powell	...	Captain Walker
Pete Townshend	...	Himself
Tina Turner	...	The Acid Queen
Arthur Brown	...	The Priest
Victoria Russell	...	Sally Simpson
Ben Aris	...	Reverend Simpson

Also Known As:

The Who's Tommy
Tommy by 'The Who' (USA) (complete title)
Tommy: The Movie (USA) (promotional title)

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Quintaphonic (5 channel Dolby Stereo) | Dolby

Certification:

Italy:T | Iceland:L | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Japan:PG-12 | Denmark:15 (DVD rating) | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:PG | UK:15 | Singapore:PG | Ireland:15 | UK:AA (original rating)

Filming Locations:

Brighton, East Sussex, England, UK

Company:

Hemdale Film

Trivia:

There were several new songs written especially for the movie that weren't on the original album. Among those were "Champagne," "Mother and Son," and "TV Studio." Also, a couple of songs were rewritten with either new lyrics ("Pinball Wizard," "We're Not Gonna Take It," and "Do You Think it's All Right?"), or new titles ("1951" was originally called "1921" on the original release of "Tommy").

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: When Cousin Kevin is ironing Tommy after having given him the fire hose treatment, the iron is not plugged in. The power cord is actually in his hand along with the iron.

Quotes:

Nora Walker Hobbs: Do you think it's alright To leave the boy with Cousin Kevin? Do you think it's alright? There's something 'bout him I Don't really like. Do you think it's alright?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Movie Music Mania (2005) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Amazing Journey

Makes Even the Who's Music Sound Bad

Really, a pretty hopelessly bad movie.

I can't imagine any but the most die-hard Who fans liking this, and even then it might try their patience. The music doesn't even sound good in this rock opera about a traumatized boy who becomes a pinball sensation. There might be a point to the story, but God knows what it is. It's filled with people who can't act, and showcases Ken Russell's direction at its over-indulgent worst. It's really not much more than a random series of images set to music by the Who, that maybe would be cool if you were stoned out of your mind while watching it. Otherwise, just listen to the original concept album and leave the T.V. turned off.

Grade: F