Tommy
- Director: Ken Russell
- Writer: Pete Townshend
- Producer: Harry Benn; Ken Russell
CGiii Comment
One of a kind - you have to like the music, otherwise it's a bit of a slog.
But - it's another case of - thank you Ken.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
Nora Walker is told that her British fighter pilot husband is missing in action and presumed killed in World War II. On V.E. Day, Nora gives birth to their son, who she names Tommy. While Tommy is an adolescent, Nora marries Frank, a shifty camp counselor. Shortly thereafter, Tommy suffers an emotionally traumatic experience associated with his father and step-father, which, based on things told to him at that time, results in him becoming deaf, dumb and blind, a situation which several people exploit for their own pleasure. As Nora tries several things to bring Tommy out of his psychosomatic disabilities, Tommy, now a young man, happens upon pinball as a stimulus. Playing by intuition, Tommy becomes a pinball master, which in turn makes him, and by association Nora and Frank, rich and famous. Nora literally shatters Tommy to his awakening, which ultimately leads to both the family's rise and downfall as people initially try to emulate Tommy's path then rebel against it.
Cast & Characters
Oliver Reed as Frank Hobbs;
Ann-Margret as Nora Walker;
Roger Daltrey as Tommy Walker;
Elton John as Local Lad;
Eric Clapton as The Preacher;
John Entwistle as Himself;
Keith Moon as Uncle Ernie;
Paul Nicholas as Cousin Kevin;
Jack Nicholson as The Specialist;
Robert Powell as Captain Walker;
Pete Townshend as Himself;
Tina Turner as The Acid Queen;
Arthur Brown as The Priest;
Victoria Russell as Sally Simpson;
Ben Aris as Reverend Simpson