During a championship game, Tommy faces the " Pinball Wizard" with The Who as the backing band.
Tommy is recognized by Frank and the media as a pinball prodigy ("Extra, Extra, Extra"), which is made even more impressive with his sensory-impaired state. He follows a vision of himself to a junkyard pinball machine.
They become increasingly lethargic at the lack of effect and leave Tommy standing at the mirror one night, allowing him to wander off. Over 16 years, Nora and Frank make several fruitless attempts to bring the now older Tommy out of his state (" Eyesight to the Blind" / " The Acid Queen") and place him with some questionable babysitters ("Cousin Kevin" / "Fiddle About"). Later, at a Christmas party, Nora is distressed that Tommy "doesn't know what day it is" ("Christmas"). The heat of the moment panics Tommy into a psychedelia-like "Amazing Journey", where he outwardly appears "deaf, dumb, and blind". In the 1950s, Nora and Frank dream of their future ("1951 / What About the Boy?"), but, late that evening, the returning Captain Walker surprises the couple in bed, leading to a struggle where Frank kills the Captain (in the original album synopsis, the Captain kills Frank). Tommy looks up to his "Uncle" Frank who expresses his desires to run his own holiday camp someday ("Bernie's Holiday Camp"). Five years later, Nora has begun a new relationship with Frank, a holiday worker she and Tommy meet on their holiday. Back in England, Nora goes into labour and gives birth to a son, Tommy, on V-E Day ("Captain Walker/It's a Boy"). "Captain Walker" is listed as missing in action and is presumed dead, although-unknown to his family-the badly burnt Walker is still alive. After his leave ends, Walker goes off to fight in World War II as a bomber pilot, but is shot down during a mission. In the prologue, set in 1945, a montage displays the honeymoon of Captain Walker and his wife, Nora ("Prologue - 1945").
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In 1975, the film won the award for Rock Movie of the Year in the First Annual Rock Music Awards. The film was shown at the 1975 Cannes Film Festival, but was not entered into the main competition. Pete Townshend was also nominated for an Oscar for his work in scoring and adapting the music for the film. Ann-Margret received a Golden Globe Award for her performance and was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. The film featured a star-studded ensemble cast, including the band members themselves (most notably, lead singer Roger Daltrey, who plays the title role), Ann-Margret, Oliver Reed, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Elton John, and Jack Nicholson.Īn independent production by Russell and Robert Stigwood, Tommy was released by Columbia Pictures in the US on 19 March 1975 while in the UK it was released on 26 March 1975. Please note that this fine art print will be shipping from the UK and the customer is responsible for paying any applicable import duties and/or local taxes.Tommy is a 1975 British satirical operetta fantasy drama film written and directed by Ken Russell and based upon The Who's 1969 rock opera album Tommy about a " psychosomatically deaf, mute, and blind" boy who becomes a pinball champion and religious leader. Your order may be cancelled if your billing address does not match shipping territory selected. Orders will only be shipped to the cardholders billing address. Please note the courier shipping cost is included in the retail price. Available in 16”x20” and 20”x24” paper size. Digitally printed signature of the photographer Terry O’Neill and edition number on the bottom front border, and estate-stamped on reverse. Limited edition of 50 and 10 Artist’s Proof per size. Elton John in costume for his role as the Pinball Wizard in Ken Russell’s film of The Who’s rock opera album ‘Tommy’, 1974.