Jon Blackstone

I was 12 years old when this movie was released. Like most kids my age I was a huge Elton John fan and my mom allowed me to see Tommy in the theater for that reason. I’ve always loved Elton’s recording of Pinball Wizard and I was thrilled to see him on the big screen. Since that time I’ve been a professional musician and recording artist almost 40 years. I’ve also become a great admirer of Pete Townshend and of course The Who. The Who’s Tommy album is a masterpiece of popular music and an amazing and important part of pop culture history. I recently read another of many interviews with Townshend in which he says he thinks Ken Russel’s film version is “fabulous”. So I decided to revisit the film. Wow. What an abomination. The best word I can use to describe the film is “ugly”; it’s just an ugly and unpleasant experience from beginning to end; so much so I found myself watching parts with one eye closed out of embarrassment. The entire emotional and visual tone of the film is depressing and grotesque. It wasn’t totally void of charms. Oliver Reed and Ann Margret have some truly amazing moments and vocal performances; and I still enjoy Elton’s sequence as the Pinball Champ. But everything else feels totally indulgent on the part of Ken Russel and cheaply so. The soundtrack album is a much better choice if you’re curious about this hot mess. What’s worst about this film is the bad taste it would give anyone with an ounce of good taste against Tommy as an artistic statement. I can’t imagine what Pete appreciates about this interpretation of his masterwork? Maybe you had to be there? No scratch that. Don’t go there.