Director Ken Russell's vibrant, hyperactive version of the Who's classic rock opera tells the story of a boy (Roger Daltrey) rendered deaf, dumb, and blind by the sight of his father's murder. His psychedelic journey through a maze of abusive relatives and strange "cures" eventually leads to enlightenment and sainthood. The .. Read more
| Starring | Oliver Reed, Ann-Margret, Roger Daltrey, Elton John |
|---|---|
| Director | Ken Russell |
| Run time | 106 mins |
| Genres | Music/Musical |
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The Who's rock opera, about a deaf, dumb and blind kid who becomes an exploited pinball wizard, here gets the inimitable Ken Russell treatment, which is no more than it deserves. However, while eye-popping excess — what's done to Ann-Margret is unforgivable — keeps us watching, the story is as absurd as the grotesque nature of its telling. Stridency, both vocal and visual, is all, and Roger Daltrey's Tommy is flattened by the weight of celebrity (Eric Clapton, Keith Moon, Jack Nicholson and Tina Turner). Elton John has the best of it, thumping away on a piano as though trying to prove something, rather like Ken Russell himself. It's worth watching, though, just for its reputation as a must-see for a generation.
Mystical rock opera screened with the director's usual barrage of effects and an ear-splitting score. Of occasional interest.
This is the original version, not the recently re-released two disk edition.
This rock-opera was directed by the wierd and wonderful Ken Russel in 1975. This marvellous rock orientated musical was well known due to the band 'The Who' whom write all the songs for the 'tommy' sound-track, 'The Who' band members (Roger Daltrey, Pete Townsend, Keith Moon & John Entlwistle)also had star roles in the movie. This brilliant musical's story line is about a boy who witnessed his mother and her lover murder his father who was lost and persumed dead at war. when his mother and her lover tells him 'you didnt see it', 'you didnt hear it' & 'you will say nothing to know one' mixes with the young boy's traumer at that moment and causes him to become deaf, dumb & blind. As the boy (Roger Daltrey) grows into his adult-hood his mother and her lover attempts on numerous occassions to cure his illness. Some of the people the mother and lover go to in seek of a cure for there boy are the preacher (Eric Clapton), the acid queen (Tina Turner) & the local doctor (Jack Nicolson), all of these attempts to cure fail up until the moment the boy discovers pinball and defeats the pinball wizard (Elton John). Now he is cured he becoms a god, a teenage heart throb, and a holiday camp owner.
This musical is one of the best ever made & its also one of those films that is even liked by those who do not like 'The Who'. 'Tommy' hosts somthing for everyone!
The Who's concept album re-invented by Pete Townshend and Ken Russell. It's a rock opera where the deaf dumb and blind Tommy finds fame and fortune, but ultimately it's an indictment of 'cult' religion. Daltrey is dynamite in the title role. Tina Turner's Acid Queen and Elton John's enourmous-booted Pinball Wizard are unforgettable. It's also a fascinating snapshot of Portsmouth and Southsea in the early 70s - filmed on location with thousands of local extras.
The revolution will not be televised, but it will be in cinemas in two parts. Che: Part One opens on 1st January with Che: Part Two coming out hot on it's heels on 20th February. So we thought it was about time we caught up with director Steven Soderbergh to ask him how he chose which periods of Che Guevara's life to focus on and what it was like directing in a second language. Steven also told us about the surprising way he plans on approaching his next historical subject. LOVEFiLM: Did you... Read more