Tommy (5 Stars)

The 1975 film "Tommy" was the best musical ever made up to that date. That's my personal opinion, of course, as a fan of rock music. I can't relate to the slushy orchestral arrangements of the 1940's and 1950's, even if I do like some of the films. The film is very different to the rock opera that it's based on, written by Pete Townshend and recorded by the Who in 1969. It's not just a matter of having different singers and different song arrangements. The film is very much Ken Russell's film, rather than Pete Townshend's. In his film commentary Ken Russell says that it was a mutual agreement that they share the film, Townshend's music and Russell's story, but I can't help feeling that Russell hijacked the concept and made it his own. That's something I would like to ask Pete over a beer if we ever met.

The special edition DVD in my possession contains a full commentary track by Ken Russell. I strongly advise all my readers to listen to it. Nowadays it's become standard for new films to include commentaries by the director, producer and main actors. Usually they only do it because they're expected to, so they're bored, they make random comments, and the final result is dull. This isn't the case here. Ken Russell considers the film a work of love, so he speaks lovingly and informatively about it. Rather than go into details about all the small anecdotes, which are better in his words than mine, I'll just point out one major fact gleaned from his commentary. In the early 1970's Ken Russell wanted to make a film about false religion. When he was given the chance to film "Tommy" he decided to use Townshend's music to make his film about false religion. This is the underlying reason for most of the changes to the music.

The story: The story takes place in England. Tommy is born on Victory Day, May 9th 1945. His father is an air force pilot lost in the war. After a few years alone his mother remarries, but in 1951 his father unexpectedly returns. His mother and step-father murder Tommy's father in front of him, which traumatises him and makes him deaf, dumb and blind. Over the years many cures are attempted, including sex, drugs and religion.

Then a miracle occurs. Despite his affliction Tommy is found to be an unbeatable pinball player. His skill earns millions, which his parents profit from. After this Tommy regains his hearing, speech and sight. Already revered as a pinball player, he's now considered a Messiah. He preaches the healing power of pinball to the lost. Tommy himself lives a life of simplicity, but the people who had hurt him as a child (his bullying cousin and his paedophile uncle) now support him and profit from him. Religion is big business. As time progresses Tommy adds rituals to his religion, and his followers rebel.

Interestingly, the film does not judge Tommy himself. When he takes on the role of Messiah there are no doubts, he really is a Messiah. But the religion built up around him is criticised. It's understandable that the religion created by his self-absorbed followers is bad. That's something anyone who has studied the history of Christianity has seen happen. On the other hand, the religion created by Tommy himself is also criticised. The Messiah made a mistake. So what is Ken Russell saying? If you're a Messiah, give people your message, but don't tell them what to do. Give them the freedom to accept or reject your message.

In 1993 "Tommy" was made into a broadway musical. This version was based on the original rock opera, not the film, so it's all Townshend without Russell's ideas.