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Tommy (1975)

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Average Rating: 7/10
Reviews Counted: 17
Fresh: 15 | Rotten: 2

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Average Rating: N/A
Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 0

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Average Rating: 3.4/5
User Ratings: 29,077

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Movie Info

Tommy (Roger Daltrey) is a "deaf, dumb and blind kid" who retreats into himself after the death of his father. His mother, Nora (Ann-Margret), and stepfather Frank (Oliver Reed) take him to see a specialist (Jack Nicholson) but Tommy is apparently a hopeless case. That is, until Tommy discovers that "he sure plays a mean pinball." Tommy gains fame when he defeats the Pinball Wizard (Elton John) for the world championship. As a result, Tommy becomes such a celebrity that he even founds his own

PG, 1 hr. 51 min.

Musical & Performing Arts, Drama

Directed By: Ken Russell

Written By: Ken Russell

In Theaters: Mar 19, 1975 Wide

On DVD: Sep 21, 1999

Sony Pictures

Tommy Trailer & Photos

Cast

Ann-Margret
Nora Walker Hobbs
Oliver Reed
Frank Hobbs
Roger Daltrey
Tommy
Elton John
Pinball Wizard
Eric Clapton
Preacher
Keith Moon
Uncle Ernie
Jack Nicholson
Specialist
Robert Powell
Capt. Walker
Paul Nicholas
Cousin Kevin
Tina Turner
Acid Queen
Barry Winch
Young Tommy
Victoria Russell
Sally Simpson
Ben Aris
Rev. Simpson
Jennifer Baker
Nurse
Susan Baker
Nurse
Arthur Brown
Priest
John Entwistle
Himself
Pete Townshend
Himself
The Who
Imogen Claire
Nurse
Mary Holland
Mrs. Simpson
Eddie Stacey
Bovver Boy

Critic Reviews for Tommy

All Critics (22) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (16) | Rotten (2) | DVD (15)

An anything-goes phantasmagoria that pushes at the borders of good taste and good sense.

April 15, 2011 Full Review Source: Film Snobbery

| Comment

Phil Hall

Film Snobbery

Trippy rock opera with drug references and sexual imagery.

March 15, 2011 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Charles Cassady

Common Sense Media

The core essence of Tommy lies in the quivering carriage of Ann-Margret and her heroic personification of Russell's funhouse directorial approach.

August 27, 2010 Full Review Source: BrianOrndorf.com

| Comment

Brian Orndorf

BrianOrndorf.com

Emphasizing the sensual and musical elements of the rock opera, Ken Russell brings his excessive visual flourishes to the material and also get good performances from Ann-Margret and Oliver Reed, resulting in an original musical movie.

July 26, 2010 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

| Comment

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

Quite the gaudy mind-blower.

March 16, 2006 Comment

Rob Thomas

Capital Times (Madison, WI)

It becomes tiresome and runs out of gas way before the conclusion.

February 23, 2006 Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews

| Comment

Dennis Schwartz

Ozus' World Movie Reviews

It is an extravagant musical curiosity, or Baby Boomer time capsule, if nothing else.

May 3, 2005 Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope

| Comment

Robert Roten

Laramie Movie Scope

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Tommy

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This is one of the oddest musicals of all, but it's also pretty cool, and has a lot of good music from the Who. Plus, there are a lot of stars in it.

September 5, 2010

AJ Verser

Super Reviewer

The strangest and most interesting musical I have ever seen. Keith Moon's scene is by far the most interesting part, along with Ann-Margret's charisma and style.

July 13, 2010

Spencer S.

Super Reviewer

Tommy Quotes

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1. Tommy: Those who love me. Have a higher path to follow now. And you, dear mother, too. Must be prepared!
– Submitted by Steven K (4 months ago)
1. Tommy: See me, feel me, touch me, heal me.
– Submitted by Chris D (7 months ago)
1. Nora Walker Hobbs: I believe in love. But how can men who've never seen light be enlightened?
– Submitted by Nathan O (7 months ago)