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Tommy The Movie (2-Disc Collector's Edition) [Region 2] | ![Tommy The Movie (2-Disc Collector's Edition) [Region 2]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51DMC2GSQBL._SL500_.jpg) | Director: Ken Russell
Actors: Roger Daltrey, Ann-Margret, Oliver Reed, Elton John, Eric Clapton
Category: DVD
Buy Used: $42.33
as of 2/10/2010 05:43 EST details
Seller: valleycd
Rating:  155 reviews
Sales Rank: 140024
Format: PAL, Import
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitles For The Hearing Impaired), German (Unknown)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 2
Discs: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Running Time: 111 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.7
EAN: 5018011202905
ASIN: B00028HCD8
Theatrical Release Date: 1974
Release Date: May 8, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Amazon.com
If you've ever wanted to hear Jack Nicholson sing (or try to) or marvel at the sight of Ann-Margret drunkenly cavorting in a cascade of baked beans, Tommy is the movie you've been waiting for. As it turns out, the Who's brilliant rock opera is sublimely matched to director Ken Russell's penchant for cinematic excess, and this 1975 production finds Russell at the peak of his filmmaking audacity. It's a fever-dream of musical bombast, custom-fit to the thematic ambition of Pete Townshend's epic rock drama, revolving around the titular "deaf, dumb, and blind kid" (played by Who vocalist Roger Daltrey) who survives the childhood trauma that stole his senses to become a Pinball Wizard messiah in Townshend's grandiose attack on the hypocrisy of organized religion. The story is remarkably coherent considering the hypnotic dream-state induced by Russell's visuals. Tommy's odyssey is rendered through wall-to-wall music, each song representing a pivotal chapter in Tommy's chronology, from the bloodstream shock of "The Acid Queen" (performed to the hilt by Tina Turner) to Nicholson's turn as a well-intentioned physician, Elton John's towering rendition of "Pinball Wizard," and Daltrey's epiphanous rendition of "I'm Free." Other performers include Eric Clapton and (most outrageously) the Who's drummer Keith Moon, and through it all Russell is almost religiously faithful to Townshend's artistic vision. Although it divided critics when first released, Tommy now looks likes a minor classic of gonzo cinema, worthy of the musical genius that fueled its creation. --Jeff Shannon
Album Description
PAL/Region 2. 2 x DVD set. Tommy comes to DVD in a two-disc set, with the feature on disc one accompanied by three audio tracks: Dolby Stereo or 5.1 surround, as well as the original "Quintaphonic" surround mix--a unique experience with effectively two pairs of stereo tracks plus a centre track for the vocals. The anamorphic picture adequately recreates the original theatrical ratio. The second disc has a series of lengthy and illuminating new interviews with the main (surviving) players: Townshend, Russell, Daltrey and Ann-Margret, in which we learn among other things, that Daltrey wasn't Townshend's first choice for the role, that Stevie Wonder was the original preference for the Pinball Wizard, and that Ken Russell had never heard of any of these rock stars before agreeing to helm the movie. There's also a feature on the original sound mix and its restoration for DVD. All in all, a satisfying package for fans of one of the daftest chapters in the annals of rock music. Special Features; Extensive interview with Pete Townsend, Interview with Roger Daltrey, Interview with Ken Russell/Mark Kermode, Featurette on sound restoration, Featurette on the recollections of Tommy by original technical personnel, including Terry Rawlings. * Please note you will need an All Code DVD player to view.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 155
 One of the worst things I have ever seen. December 17, 2009
J. B. Johnston (Washington, DC United States)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
It's just not good. I love the Who, but I am not familiar with the Tommy album, and this may keep me from ever giving it a good listening. I just won't be able to listen without picturing Roger's "stare" (that is shown repeatedly throughout the movie). I loathe musicals, but I love concept albums. This seemed more like Andrew Lloyd Weber than a rock record. I do not recommend this to anyone.
 A Gold Plated Turd November 11, 2009
S. Owens
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Now allow me to preface this review with the simple statement that, although I like The Who and Tommy, I am in no way obsessed with either. I ENJOY them but I don't revere them. However, watching this film as someone who listened to the album is downright painful. The actors all make the most of their screen time and I thoroughly enjoyed Elton John, Tina Turner and David Bowie(despite his purpose in to the story being downright perplexing). Roger Daltrey also does quite well with his part but considering he spends a large chunk of the film blindly stumbling about in an almost vaudevillian way it doesn't strike me as much of a cinematic impact.
The film, on a positive note is an absolute visual spectacle to behold and the symbolism from the album is goregously displayed but the singing as a whole was poor for one major reason. Most of the cast couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, especially Jack Nicholson, surprisingly. I felt I was watching an hour and change long fan made music video, and the changes from the original piece are pointless and disturbing. In fact, as a whole this film is resplendent with f***ed up images, like a grown woman bathing in baked beans and champagne. All in all, this film is more like a bunch of buddies got together than a true cinematic work. There is visible effort put forth but the story is advanced verbatim by musical numbers so it feels like the cast was trying but the director and screenwriter were out to lunch. I did not enjoy watching this film but I am not everyone. Either you like it or you don't, and I personally do not
 should have been better October 3, 2009
Christian Schonberger (Portugal)
Ever since I first saw this movie at age 15 in the theater when it was released, I loved it. This is what the '70s were all about.
Before I purchased the 2 disc collectors edition, I already owned the standard Universal DVD edition in Pal, standard 3:4 aspect ratio.
When I purchased this new edition I was expecting a much better picture and sound quality plus a great second disc with interesting extras.
First of all: the "restored" movie is just a little cleaner and smoother with less dust and scratches, but the grain remains, it is even a little darker, the colors/contrast have not improved - and even worse: the widescreen aspect ratio has been achieved by cropping off the picture top and bottom. O.K. This is the aspect ratio originally intended and shown at theaters, but the old version actually contains more image information on top and bottom and nothing is missing at the sides. I can only conclude that the movie has been shot and released as "open matte" (= there is more picture information on top and bottom, to be cropped off at screenings), yet the old full frame version looks way better to me.
I really appreciate the effort that has gone into this special edition but,
1) I would have expected a much crisper and clearer picture (and sound!). Transfers from an original negative - as advertised? Yeah sure, but why doesn't it look way better??? In fact the grain is the exact same and some scenes are so dark, that they contain less detail than the Universal release. Oh, and why is there black dust and why is the picture still kind of unstable (weave and float for those who understand) if it's from an "original" negative????
2) I would have expected a much better second disc. It just contains statements of the people originally involved, basically just selling themselves - as opposed to much more appreciated "how we did it" footage. Including story boards or how the set design was made, or how Pete Townshend got along with Ken Russell ("feigning" that it all was just "great" - promotional style - after all these years doesn't convince me).
All in all: if you have the old release, don't bother with this one, unless you are a real incurable Tommy fan as I am.
I give it three stars, because cropped, grainy image (even if cleaned up) and the usual statements of people involved in the original production telling us how great it was - just don't cut in in my book.
I am waiting for a smooth, clean edition - no extras needed.
This is for hard core Tommy buffs only.
Christian, Portugal
WAY TOO WEIRD June 1, 2009
Lorin D. White (EL RENO,OK.)
0 out of 4 found this review helpful
WELL TO ENJOY THIS FILM YOU MUST REALLY BE INTO NOSTALGIA.I FOUND IT HARD TO KEEP UP WITH WHATS GOING ON IN THE MOVIE,PLENTY OF DALTREY BUT NOT ENOUGH OF THE REST OF THE WHO.IT WAS COOL TO SEE SOME OF THE STARS AT THAT AGE,ALSO NOT ENOUGH WHO MUSIC WORKED INTO THE MOVIE.TOO BIZARE TO WATCH A SHOW WITH NO DIALOGUE,I PERSONALLY WAS DISAPOINTED WITH IT.WELL GARAGE SALE FODDER!
What the hell is this crap? April 13, 2009
Peter (California)
0 out of 6 found this review helpful
Some how I managed to sit through the entire movie. When it was over I wanted to slap my friend who made me watch it. Do not waste your time, there is nothing good that can come out of watching this.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 155
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