Tommy Walker (Roger Daltry) is a young child who accidentally witnesses the murder of his father Captain Walker (Robert Powell) by his stepfather Frank Hobbs (Oliver Reed). His mother Nora (Ann-Margret) tells him to forget everything he has seen and heard and never talk about it. This causes Tommy to be deaf, dumb and blind.
Some bizarre cures are tried but fail. A preacher (Eric Clapton) mistakenly believes Marilyn Monroe can heal him, and the Acid Queen (Tina Turner) also fails with her drugs. Cousin Kevin (Paul Nicholas) tortures him and Uncle Ernie (Keith Moon) molests him. Tommy suffers much growing up but finds solace in pinball games. When he defeats the Pinball Wizard (Elton John), he becomes the world pinball champion, rich and famous. Then a doctor advises a shock as a cure. The shock from breaking a mirror works, and Tommy believes he is the new messiah. A religious cult is formed, but his followers begin commercializing his fame. When Tommy objects, his supporters accuse him of hypocrisy and turn on him.
Nora Walker Hobbs: "Today it rained Champagne! A son was born again! A genius untamed! A life of wealth and fame, wealth and fame! Champagne flowing down just like rain, Caviar breakfasts every day. Merchant banks and yachts at Cannes! Servants and cars and private sand...But what's it all worth? What's it all worth when my son is blind? He can't hear the music nor enjoy what I'm buying. His life is worthless, affecting mine. I'd pay any price to drive his plight from my mind!"
Acid Queen: "If your child ain't all he should be now, This girl will put him right. I'll show him what he could be now, Just give me one more night! I'm the Gypsy, the Acid Queen, Pay me before I start. I'm the Gypsy, I'm guaranteed To tear his soul apart."
The Pinball Wizard: "Ever since I was a young boy, I've played the silver ball. From Soho down to Brighton, I must have played them all. But I ain't seen nothin' like him In any amusement hall. That deaf, dumb and blind kid Sure plays a mean pinball."
Tommy: "See me, feel me, touch me, heal me...Listening to you I get the music, Gazing at you. I get the heat, Following you. I climb the mountain, I get excitement at your feet! Right behind you, I see the millions, On you. I see the glory, From you. I get opinions, From you. I get the story."
"See Me Feel Me" Peter Townshend c 1970 Fabulous Music Ltd.
The cast also includes: Jack Nicholson (the Specialist), Peter Towshend (himself), John Entwistle (himself), Arthur Brown (the Priest), Victoria Russel (Sally Simpson), Ben Aris (Reverend Simpson), Gary Rich (rock musician), Dick Allan (President Black Angels), Barry Winch (young Tommy), Eddie Stacey (Bovver Boy), Ken Russel (cripple), and many others, with lots of cameos--including John Lennon. Ken Russel directed and wrote the script based on Peter Townshend's rock opera.
Peter Townshend wrote the original rock opera in 1969. The songs are: "Prologue 1945", "Captain Walker", "It's a Boy", "Bernie's Holiday Camp", "1951/What About the Boy", "Amazing Journey", "Christmas", "Eyesight to the Blind", "Acid Queen", "Do You Think It's Alright? (1)", "Cousin Kevin", "Do You Think It's Alright? (2)", "Fiddle About", "Do You Think It's Alright? (3)", "Sparks", "Extra, Extra, Extra", Pinball Wizard", "Champagne", "There's a Doctor", Go to the Mirror", "Tommy Can You Hear Me", "Smash the Mirror", "I'm Free", "Mother and Son", "Miracle Cure", "Sally Simpson", "Sensation", "Welcome", "TV Studio", Tommy's Holiday Camp", "We're Not Going To Take It", and "Listening to You/See Me, Feel Me".
Actors sing the songs. The Who's brilliant concept album is never dubbed in over the film. Furthermore, Ken Russel elevates Peter Townshend's rock opera masterpiece to Grand Opera, which means there is no spoken dialogue. In this regard, the movie is absolutely magnificent. It is extremely difficult to write good songs that also advance the plot, and TOMMY has only good songs, five that are first-rate platinum hits.
Ken Russel is infamous for his flamboyant, garish, and weird cinematic style. He is an appropriate director for TOMMY. His penchant for bad taste and a barrage of startling images compliment the movie. There is some miscasting and poorly-conceived production concepts, but the film is a clamorous and energetic success, a classic. Eric Clapton, Elton John, and Tina Turner give outstanding musical performances. Bravo!
