Peter Townsend wrote the book, lyrics and music for 1968 British TV production of “Tommy.” The score immediately became a cultural phenomenon with a most successful record album and live performances, usually in concert versions, in many countries. (In 1993, Townsend received the Tony Award for the Broadway revival of “Tommy.”)
However, in spite of his handicap, Tommy manages to defeat the Pinball Wizard (Elton John) and becomes the champ, attaining a devoted following. When he is finally cured, his fans hail him as the new “Messiah.”
With its focus on the sensual, a film adaptation of Tommy was a natural development. Director Russell whose films had explored similar themes in his own unique style, brings to “Tommy” his characteristic visual richness, the fleshing out of characters with high-caliber actors like Oliver Reed and Ann-Margaret, and the expansion of a back story with songs that are new to the film.
Songs like “Pinball Wizard,” “Tommy, Can You Hear Me,” “Sensation,” “Amazing Journey” and “Christmas,” were the backbone of the story of Tommy, a deaf, dumb and blind kid, who’s psychosomatic symptoms arise from witnessing the murder of his father, and the exhortation by his mother and her lover that Tommy he did not see it–and he won’t say anything to anyone.
Based on the existing record industry development of Quadraphonic sound, “Tommy” features the first (and only) example of the Quadraphonic soundtrack, a revolutionary format that uses five discrete channels of sound to deliver the movie’s music in a “Sound in the Round” manner. The audio envelops the audience from all directions. The combination of The Who’s music, Ken Russell’s eccentric, often psychedelic visuals and the innovation of the Quintaphonic format result in a highly intense cinematic experience.
The Who’s rock-opera “Tommy” was a personal project of Pete Townshend. First performed in 1968, the piece was both critically acclaimed and controversial, eventually becoming a cultural icon. In 1998, the importance of the album was recognized by the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Ken Russell’s films have often been criticized as being eccentric, overwhelming, overproduced, tasteless, but considering the premise of Tommy and the fact that it’s plotless, he has made a movie that services the grand music and is never boring for the eyes or ears. Yes, it relies heavily on montage and it my have too many cuts, but some sequences, such a the pinball tournament sequence are remarkable.
And one last word about Ann-Margret, who gives an astonishing performance, without having the benefit of a well written (or written at all) role, as the mother, changing moods and expressions as often as she changes dresses, ranging from a virginal white to hot red.
Give it a chance, and don’t dismiss it as an exercise of excess for excess sake.
Oscar Nominations: 2
Sony released Tommy, the 1975 film based on The Who’s album of the same name, on Blu-ray DVD with the original Quintaphonic sound on September 7, 2010.