A psychosomatically blind, deaf, and mute boy becomes a master pinball player and, subsequently, the figurehead of a cult.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Oliver Reed | ... |
Frank
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| Ann-Margret | ... |
Nora
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| Roger Daltrey | ... |
Tommy
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| Elton John | ... |
The Pinball Wizard
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| Eric Clapton | ... |
The Preacher
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| John Entwistle | ... |
Band
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| Keith Moon | ... |
Uncle Ernie
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| Paul Nicholas | ... |
Cousin Kevin
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| Jack Nicholson | ... |
The Specialist
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| Robert Powell | ... |
Captain Walker
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| Pete Townshend | ... |
Band
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| Tina Turner | ... |
The Acid Queen
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Arthur Brown | ... |
The Priest
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Victoria Russell | ... |
Sally Simpson
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Ben Aris | ... |
Reverend Simpson
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Mary Holland | ... |
Mrs. Simpson
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Gary Rich | ... |
Rock Musician
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Dick Allan | ... |
President Black Angels
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Barry Winch | ... |
Young Tommy
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| Eddie Stacey | ... |
Bovver Boy
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Liza Strike | ... |
Vocal Chorus (voice)
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Gillian McIntosh | ... |
Vocal Chorus (voice)
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Simon Townshend | ... |
Vocal Chorus (voice)
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Vicki Brown | ... |
Vocal Chorus (voice)
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Mylon LeFevre | ... |
Vocal Chorus (voice)
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Kit Trevor | ... |
Vocal Chorus (voice)
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Billy Nicholls | ... |
Vocal Chorus (voice)
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Helen Shappel | ... |
Vocal Chorus (voice)
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Jeff Roden | ... |
Vocal Chorus (voice)
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Paul Gurvitz | ... |
Vocal Chorus (voice)
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Margo Newman | ... |
Vocal Chorus (voice)
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| Alison Dowling | ... |
Vocal Chorus (voice)
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Jennifer Baker | ... |
Nurse #1 (uncredited)
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Susan Baker | ... |
Nurse #2 (uncredited)
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| Peter Brace | ... |
Man with Knife (uncredited)
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Imogen Claire | ... |
Nurse at the Specialist's Practice (uncredited)
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Christine Hewett | ... |
Lady in Black Beauty Chocolate Commercial (uncredited)
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Gillian King | ... |
Handmaiden to the Acid Queen (uncredited)
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Juliet King | ... |
Handmaiden to the Acid Queen (uncredited)
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Steven Longhurst | ... |
Tommy accolyte (uncredited)
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| James Payne | ... |
Man in Strip Club Collecting a Program (uncredited)
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Alex Russell | ... |
(uncredited)
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| Ken Russell | ... |
Cripple (uncredited)
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| Lisa Vanderpump | ... |
Girl at Christmas Party (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Ken Russell | ||
Written by
| The Who | ... | (by) (as 'The Who') |
| Ken Russell | ... | (screenplay) |
| Pete Townshend | ... | (rock opera) |
| John Entwistle | ... | (additional material) & |
| Keith Moon | ... | (additional material) |
Produced by
| Harry Benn | ... | associate producer |
| Ken Russell | ... | producer |
| Christopher Stamp | ... | executive producer |
| Robert Stigwood | ... | producer |
| Beryl Vertue | ... | executive producer |
Cinematography by
| Dick Bush | ... | (photographed by) |
| Robin Lehman | ... | (special material) |
| Ronnie Taylor | ... | (photographed by) |
Editing by
| Stuart Baird | ||
Editorial Department
| David Bernstein | ... | colorist (uncredited) |
| Sati Tooray | ... | colorist (uncredited) |
Art Direction by
| John Clark | ||
Costume Design by
| Shirley Russell | ... | (costumes designed by) |
Makeup Department
| George Blackler | ... | makeup artist |
| Joyce James | ... | hairdresser |
| Peter Robb-King | ... | makeup artist |
Production Management
| John Comfort | ... | production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Jonathan Benson | ... | assistant director |
| Charles Marriott | ... | third assistant director |
| Peter Cotton | ... | first assistant director (uncredited) |
| Gareth Tandy | ... | third assistant director (uncredited) |
| Gary White | ... | second assistant director (uncredited) |
Art Department
| Terry Ackland-Snow | ... | assistant art director |
| Jack Carter | ... | construction manager |
| Paul Dufficey | ... | set designer |
| Christopher Hobbs | ... | sculptor |
| Harry Newman | ... | property master |
| Bryn Siddall | ... | buyer |
| Ian Whittaker | ... | set dresser |
| Ken Barley | ... | plasterer (uncredited) |
| Philip Gips | ... | graphic designer (uncredited) |
| Michael Guyett | ... | scenic painter (uncredited) |
| Tim Hutchinson | ... | set designer (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Iain Bruce | ... | sound recordist |
| John Mosely | ... | Quintophonic Sound® developer |
| Bill Rowe | ... | dubbing mixer |
| Les Healey | ... | assistant sound editor (uncredited) |
| Dushko Indjic | ... | playback operator (uncredited) |
| Charlie McFadden | ... | boom operator (uncredited) |
| Alan O'Duffy | ... | additional recordist (uncredited) |
| David Tappenden | ... | assistant dubbing mixer (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Colin Chilvers | ... | special effects supervisor (uncredited) |
| Nobby Clark | ... | special effects (as Nobby Clarke) |
| Chris Corbould | ... | special effects assistant (uncredited) |
| Andrew Kelly | ... | special effects assistant (uncredited) |
| John Richardson | ... | special effects: preparation (uncredited) |
Visual Effects by
| Malcolm Bubb | ... | special optical effects (uncredited) |
| Sheldon Elbourne | ... | special optical effects (uncredited) |
Stunts
| Eddie Stacey | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Bob Bremner | ... | gaffer |
| Eddie Collins | ... | camera operator |
| Malcolm Vinson | ... | focus puller |
| Graham Attwood | ... | still photographer (uncredited) |
| Dave Everall | ... | rigger (uncredited) |
| Dickie Lee | ... | key grip (uncredited) |
| Ronald Lenoir | ... | set rigger (uncredited) |
| Brian Smith | ... | best boy (uncredited) |
| Derek Suter | ... | electrician (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Richard Pointing | ... | wardrobe supervisor |
| Leonard Pollack | ... | assistant costume designer (uncredited) |
Location Management
| Lee Bolon | ... | location manager |
| Richard Green | ... | location manager (as Ricky Green) |
Music Department
| Richard Bailey | ... | musician |
| Howie Casey | ... | musician |
| Fei-Lit Chan | ... | musician (as Phil Chen) |
| Eric Clapton | ... | musician |
| Dave Clinton | ... | musician |
| Ray Cooper | ... | musician |
| Geoff Daley | ... | musician |
| Graham Deakin | ... | musician |
| Bob Efford | ... | musician |
| John Entwistle | ... | musician |
| Martyn Ford | ... | theatre organ music arranger |
| Nicky Hopkins | ... | music arranger / musician |
| Elton John | ... | musician |
| Davey Johnstone | ... | musician |
| Franklin Jones Jr. | ... | music mixer: score mixer |
| Kenney Jones | ... | musician (as Kenny Jones) |
| Mike Kelly | ... | musician |
| Keith Moon | ... | musician |
| Dee Murray | ... | musician |
| Ron Nevison | ... | music recordist |
| Tony Newman | ... | musician |
| Nigel Olsson | ... | musician |
| Caleb Quaye | ... | musician |
| Mick Ralphs | ... | musician |
| Terry Rawlings | ... | music editor |
| Alan Ross | ... | musician |
| Ronnie Ross | ... | musician |
| Fuzzy Samuels | ... | musician |
| Gerald Shaw | ... | musician: theatre organ |
| Chris Stainton | ... | musician |
| Pete Townshend | ... | musical director |
| Ronnie Wood | ... | musician |
| Tony Stevens | ... | musician: bass (uncredited) |
| Ray Thomas | ... | musician: drums (uncredited) |
| Pete Townshend | ... | musician: arp synthesizer, guitar, keyboards, piano (uncredited) |
| Dave Wintour | ... | musician: bass (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Kay Mander | ... | continuity |
Additional Crew
| Gillian Gregory | ... | choreographer |
| Kit Lambert | ... | original record album producer |
| John Smallcombe | ... | assistant to director |
| Robert Stigwood | ... | presenter |
| Pete Townshend | ... | music synthesizer programmer |
| Michael Anderson | ... | runner (uncredited) |
| Robin Demetriou | ... | cast and crew chef (uncredited) |
| Peter Guber | ... | executive in charge (uncredited) |
| James Payne | ... | utility stand-in (uncredited) |
| John Smallcombe | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Bill Curbishley | ... | our thanks to |
| Ken Messenger | ... | our thanks to: flyer |
| Dave Raymond | ... | our thanks to: flyer |
Production Companies
- Robert Stigwood Organisation Ltd. (made on location by)
- Hemdale
Distributors
- Columbia Pictures (1975) (United States) (theatrical)
- Hemdale (1975) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Roadshow Films (1975) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Sandrew Film & Teater (1975) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Seven Keys (1975) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Cine Internacional de la Argentina (CIA) (1976) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Valio-Filmi (1977) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Columbia Pictures Home Video (1982) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (1988) (Finland) (tv)
- RCA/Columbia-Hoyts Home Video (1991) (Australia) (VHS)
- Columbia TriStar Home Video (1994) (United States) (video) (laserdisc)
- RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video (1996) (United States) (VHS) (pan and scan)
- Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (1997) (Finland) (tv)
- Columbia TriStar Home Video (1999) (United States) (DVD)
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (1999) (United States) (DVD)
- Universal Pictures Finland (2001) (Finland) (VHS)
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2002) (United States) (DVD) (superbit collection)
- Umbrella Entertainment (2004) (Australia) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- DNC Home Entertainment (2005) (Italy) (DVD)
- Future Film (2008) (Finland) (DVD)
- Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2010) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Odeon Entertainment (2012) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Universum Film (UFA) (2012) (Germany) (DVD)
- Solaris Distribution (2019) (France) (theatrical) (re-release) (restored version)
- Stefano Film (1975) (Italy) (theatrical)
- Toho-Towa (1976) (Japan) (theatrical)
- BBC Two (2016) (United Kingdom) (tv)
- Emerald (2006) (Argentina) (DVD)
- EuroVideo (West Germany) (VHS)
- NBC Universal Entertainment (2012) (Japan) (Blu-ray)
- NHK-BS2 (1992) (Japan) (tv)
- PolyGram Video (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- Thorn EMI (1982) (United Kingdom) (VHS)
- Victor Entertainment (1997) (Japan) (DVD)
- Videoscope (1982) (Australia) (video)
- Weintraub Entertainment Group (1988) (United Kingdom)
Special Effects
- Camera Effects (special effects)
- Effects Associates (special effects)
Other Companies
- Birdman Sports Promotions (our thanks to)
- Bluebell Railway Preservation Society (our thanks to)
- Dolby System (noise reduction high fidelity)
- Lake District National Park Authority (our thanks to)
- Lee Electrics (lighting contractors)
- Lee Lighting (grip and lighting equipment)
- Motion Picture Association (MPA) (approved) (no. 24081)
- National Trust (our thanks to)
- Polydor Records (soundtrack album released on)
- Robert Stigwood Organisation Ltd. (logo)
- The City of Portsmouth (our thanks to)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Nora Walker is told that her British bomber pilot husband is missing in action and presumed killed in World War II. On V.E. Day, Nora gives birth to their son and names him Tommy. When Tommy is an adolescent, Nora marries shifty camp-counselor Frank; shortly thereafter, Tommy suffers an emotionally traumatic experience associated with his father and stepfather which, based on things told to him at that time, results in him becoming deaf, mute, and blind, and several people exploit this situation for their own pleasure. As Nora tries several things to bring Tommy out of his psychosomatic disabilities, he, now a young man, discovers pinball. Playing by intuition he becomes a pinball master, which makes him--and Nora and Frank by association--rich and famous. Nora literally shatters Tommy to his awakening, which ultimately leads to both the family's rise and downfall as people initially try to emulate Tommy's path then rebel against it. Written by Huggo |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Now a New Experience in TRI-PHONIC SOUND See more » |
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| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $5,000,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | According to director Ken Russell's DVD commentary, Sir Elton John initially turned down the part of the Pinball Wizard. One of those seriously considered for the role was David Essex, who had played Tommy in the 1973 stage production and recorded a version of the Pinball Wizard at his home studio. However, producer Robert Stigwood held out to get John, who finally agreed to play the role, on the condition that he could keep the oversized Doc Martin boots from his costume. See more » |
| Goofs | Tommy's eye color changes from brown to blue when he grows up at the end of "Christmas". See more » |
| Movie Connections | Edited into Tommy: The Interactive Adventure (1996). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Prologue-1945 See more » |
| Quotes |
The Pinball Wizard:
[singing]
Ever since I was a young boy, I played the silver ball, From Soho down to Brighton, I must have played them all, But I ain't seen nothin' like him, In any amusement hall, That deaf, dumb and blind kid, Sure plays a mean pinball.. See more » |