Tommy [WS/P&S]

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

The Who's classic rock opera concerning a traumatized deaf, dumb, and blind kid Roger Daltrey) and his rise to fame and ultimate defeat of the Pinball Wizard (Elton John) gets a stunning cinematic treatment in this release from Columbia/TriStar Video. Viewable in either the original 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen version (enhanced for 16 x 9 TVs) or standard 1.33:1 full-screen pan-and-scan, and featuring closed-captioned English Dolby Digital 5.0 and Stereo soundtracks, this release also offers optional English, Spanish, and French subtitles. Extra features include talent files, the original Quintaphonic mix, and audio restoration production notes. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 1
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 (Theatre Wide Screen), 1.33:1 (Pre-1954 Standard)
• Audio: Dolby Digital 5.0, Dolby Digital Surrond
• Screen: Pan and Scan, Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV
• Subtitle: English, French, Spanish
• Features:
  • Interactive menus
  • Original Quintaphonic mix
  • Audio: English 5.0 [Dolby Digital] and two-channel [Dolby Surround]
  • Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
  • Talent files
  • Audio restoration essay
  • Scene selections
  • Full-screen and widescreen formats

AWARDS

• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

•     Nominated Best Actress - 1975 (Ann-Margret)
•     Nominated Best Adapted or Original Song Score - 1975 (Pete Townshend)

• Hollywood Foreign Press Association

•     Won Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Com - 1975 (Ann-Margret)
•     Nominated Best Picture - Musical or Comedy - 1975
•     Nominated New Star of the Year - Male - 1975 (Roger Daltrey)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Ann-Margret - Nora Walker Hobbs
       Oliver Reed - Frank Hobbs
       Roger Daltrey - Tommy
       Elton John - Pinball Wizard
       Eric Clapton - Preacher
       Jack Nicholson - Specialist
       Robert Powell - Capt. Walker

• Director:

  Ken Russell

• Producer:

  Ken Russell, Robert Stigwood

• Screenwriter:

  John Entwistle, Ken Russell

• Cinematographer:

  Dick Bush, Ronnie Taylor

• Composer (Music Score):

  Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, Keith Moon, Pete Townshend

• Musical Direction/Supervision:

  Pete Townshend

• Editor:

  Stuart Baird

• Art Director:

  John Clark

• Associate Producer:

  Harry Benn

REVIEWS:

• {$The Who}'s {^Tommy} was the first {\rock opera}. When it came time to adapt the material for the silver screen, director {$Ken Russell}, with his penchant for irreverent interpretations of {\classical} musicians' lives and works, seemed like a natural fit. {$Russell} certainly shapes the material to fit his particular vision; one is hard-pressed to think of any other filmmaker who would have {$Ann-Margret} roll around in baked beans. {$Elton John}, {$Eric Clapton}, and {$Jack Nicholson} all show up to sing a song, but mostly so that the audience will say, "look, there's more famous people," than to add anything musically or cinematically (only {$Tina Turner}'s rendition of {&"The Acid Queen"} improves on, or even equals, the original performances). The album is, despite its length, compact and powerful, while the movie is visually, emotionally, and musically gaudy. {$Russell}'s visuals make it continuously watchable, but the film version of {^Tommy} sacrifices the fragile emotional core of {$Pete Townshend}'s work for grandiose spectacle. {$Townshend} is more {\rock}, and {$Russell} is more {\opera}. The film adaptation of {#Quadrophenia} would eventually capture {$Townshend}'s vision more clearly, but less spectacularly. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
• The Who's Tommy was the first rock opera. When it came time to adapt the material for the silver screen, director Ken Russell, with his penchant for irreverent interpretations of classical musicians' lives and works, seemed like a natural fit. Russell certainly shapes the material to fit his particular vision; one is hard-pressed to think of any other filmmaker who would have Ann-Margret roll around in baked beans. Elton John, Eric Clapton, and Jack Nicholson all show up to sing a song, but mostly so that the audience will say, "look, there's more famous people," than to add anything musically or cinematically (only Tina Turner's rendition of "The Acid Queen" improves on, or even equals, the original performances). The album is, despite its length, compact and powerful, while the movie is visually, emotionally, and musically gaudy. Russell's visuals make it continuously watchable, but the film version of Tommy sacrifices the fragile emotional core of Pete Townshend's work for grandiose spectacle. Townshend is more rock, and Russell is more opera. The film adaptation of Quadrophenia would eventually capture Townshend's vision more clearly, but less spectacularly. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

CUSTOMER REVIEWS: