Tommy

Tommy is a pre-cert UK VHS release by Thorn EMI Video on April 1982. 
==Description==
When the Who's mammoth double album first appeared in 1969 it was hailed on both sides of the Atlantic as a rock masterpiece. Nothing as ambitious as a rock opera had ever been produced before and it became a landmark in the history of rock music. Ken Russell's screen version of the story of the boy who grows up deaf, dumb and blind, somehow survives a series of so-called miracle cures, becomes Pinball Champion of the World, is freed of his disabilities and finally turns into the Superstar Messiah is equally inventive. The most brilliant, imaginative and controversial film-maker of today, only Russell could have matched the verve and energy of the music with images of such power and vitality. Oliver Reed as Tommy's lumpen dad and Ann-Margaret as his blowzy mum head the cast, which includes a host of glittering personalities from the world of Pop-Elton John as the Pinball Wizard, Tina Turner as the Acid Queen, Eric Clapton as the Preacher, and of course Roger Daltrey (Tommy), Keith Moon, Pete Townshend and John Entwistle of The Who. Tommy is a tour-de-force which never lets up.
==Cast==
*Ann-Margret as Nora Walker, Tommy's lovely mother who's obsessed with glamour and luxury.
*Oliver Reed as "Uncle" Frank Hobbs, Nora's sleazy brute boyfriend with a (minor) soft side.
*Roger Daltrey as Tommy Walker, the naive, and schizophrenic main character with messianic delusions.
**Barry Winch as young Tommy and Alison Dowling as young Tommy's singing voice.
*Elton John as The Pinball Wizard, the cocky pinball champion of the world in 7 foot high boots.
*Tina Turner as The Acid Queen, an erratic prostitute who deals in prophetic LSD.
*Eric Clapton as The Preacher, the leader of a Marilyn Monroe-themed cult.
*Keith Moon as Uncle Ernie, Frank's clownish perverted pimp friend.
*Paul Nicholas as Cousin Kevin, Tommy's sadomasochist relative with a biker punk aesthetic.
*Jack Nicholson as The Specialist/ Dr A. Quackson, a handsome doctor who specializes in psychosomatic conditions.
*Robert Powell as Group Captain Walker, Nora's Royal Air Force pilot late husband.
*Pete Townshend, John Entwistle and Keith Moon as Themselves as The Who during "Pinball Wizard"
**Townshend also acts as Narrator during "Amazing Journey", "Sally Simpson" and "Sensation"
***Townshend's brother, Simon Townshend, narrates during the "Extra, Extra, Extra" interludes.
*Arthur Brown as The Priest, a manic counterpart to The Preacher.
*Victoria Russell as Sally Simpson, a Tommy fan-girl who sneaks to a concert and gets maimed.
*Ben Aris as Rev. A. Simpson V. C. and Mary Holland as Mrs. Simpson, Sally's conservative, religious parents.
*Ken Russell cameos as Cripple, one of Marilyn's followers and eventually one of Tommy's.
Category:VHS
Category:UK VHS Releases
Category:1982 VHS Releases
Category:Thorn EMI Video logo from 1982 to 1985
Category:Movies
Category:BBFC 15
Category:Musical Videos by Thorn EMI Video