Hitchcoc I still own the original vinyl album. This is a haunting story with very creative visuals. The Who conceived of the story of Tommy, a deaf, dumb, and blind boy who becomes a pinball wizard, gaining fortune for his family who are really abusive to him. He is pleading with the world to see him as more than the player of games. All that aside, the director and producer, have created a series of song/images that are interesting in and of themselves. We could almost look at this as a set of rock videos created by a madman. It is a little like David Lynch where one's nightmares make it to the screen. The music of The Who is remarkable. They were quite the presence back then. I would imagine that a lot of people went to this movie stoned. Why not?

Sean Ang This film is directly based on an concept album by the British rock band The Who.Tommy tells the story of a boy named Tommy Walker,who after witnessing his stepfather kill his actual father, became blind,deaf and dumb due to shock. He then found a pinball machine when he was a teenager and started winning competitions and helped his family became rich. Later in the movie, his mother is frustrated that he kept looking at his reflection in the mirror and then push him so hard that he broke the window, which then miraculously cured him. He then started a cult based on his miracle, but then people realized it is a fake and then violently revolt on him, causing his parents to die and him being depressed again.The film has no dialogue, it uses the lyrics and the music from the album to tell the story, similar to Pink Floyd's The Wall. It also have famous movie and music stars like Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Elton John, Jack Nicholson and of course The Who, in which the lead singer Roger Daltery and drummer Keith Moon played characters in the film.The reason why I liked the film is because the music, actors and actresses expressions in order to give the film more drama and overall quirkiness feel make this film a recommendation to Rock fans and The Who fans.

James Turnbull It is not easy to adequately review this film properly. I am doing a series of presentations to the Society on Ken Russell and while I have the original sound track of Tommy on vinyl I had not seen the movie since its release. With some difficulty I sourced a DVD and watched it the other night and subsequently. This is my fifth attempt at writing a review that I am satisfied with.This could be an offensive movie to many despite the stellar cast and music. It really is quite deranged in parts and simply would not be made today in this form. Cousin Kevin, Uncle Ernie, the Acid Queen, and the Eric Clapton scene (Eyesight to the Blind, in which he reprises the Clapton is God theme from the 60s) are surely calculated to upset everyone, or challenge traditional viewpoints such as Catholicism, false rituals, cults etc. and that clearly is what KR intended doing, and he does it brilliantly. We even get a good measure of paedophilia, sadistic abuse and drug use thrown in as well.In the end I suppose it is also about redemption and the triumph of good over evil which is a marked counterpoint to KRs 'The Devils'. Is it just my opinion or is the close out shot a depiction of Christ on the Cross offering redemption and salvation to all, not just Tommy himself? This is an incredible juxtaposition to Clapton's 'God' scene earlier in the movie. Are also the lyrics to 'Listening to You' not a strong association between Tommy and Christ? I think they are. Listen closely or source the lyrics.This is a movie that deserves and needs serious reflection because it challenges convention, and if you don't like the music, don't go there. It is for me utterly audacious and original but I also appreciate it will be disturbing to many. Appreciate it or hate it for its originality but if it is viewed with an open mind the incredibly positive ending is a tonic for the soul.And of course, the music cannot be faulted. Did Elton John ever exceed his Pinball Wizard role? I think not. I also think Roger Daltrey (Tommy) singing 'I am Free' and "Listening to You' are incredibly uplifting and spiritual. And are Ann-Margaret and Roger Daltrey not the most beautiful creatures on the planet? The 'Healed' scene in the ocean is just gorgeous, as is the strong message about materialism. If Tommy is Christ reborn, is Nora his mother Mary? You can go on and on analysing this movie but the easiest thing is to just go along for the ride.

sydneyswesternsuburbs Director Ken Russell who also created other classic flicks, The Devils 1971 and Altered States 1980 has created another gem in Tommy.Starring Roger Daltry from the great band The Who.Also starring Oliver Reed who was also in Ken Russell's The Devils and other classic flicks, Gladiator 2000, Lion of the Desert 1981, Z.P.G 1972 and The Hunting Party 1971.Also starring is Ann-Margret.Also starring are musicians Tina Turner, Elton John, Eric Clapton and also from The Who, Keith Moon, Pete Townshend and John Entwistle.Also starring is Jack Nicholson who was also in the classic flicks, Easy Rider 1969 and Psych-Out 1968.I loved the music and the trippy scenes.If you enjoyed this as much as I did then check out other classic musical flicks, Cry Baby 1990, The Doors 1991, Fears of a Black Hat 1993, Jesus Christ Superstar 1973, Pink Floyd the Wall 1982 and This is Spinal Tap 1984.