Tommy - (Movie Reaction) Part 1

‪@AirplayBeats‬ reacts to Tommy the movie by The Who
Part 1
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[@user-hc2cz6uu3x]

The trauma was seeing his father being murdered - he didn't dream that, that was real, hence his father's burned face. Coupled with the bellowing that he didnt see or hear anything and mustn't say anything, it made him shut down. So it's psychosomatic, but he's not doing it on purpose. Which becomes clearer in the next section of the fim.

[@chrisjamieson3452]

A bit of the trauma for me though, was listening to Oliver Reed and Jack sing.

[@bobcorbin3294]

@@chrisjamieson3452 Pete says in his book he wasn't surprised that Ollie couldn't sing but he was surprised that Jack could as well as he did.

[@chrisjamieson3452]

@@bobcorbin3294 I prefer Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood in Paint Your Wagon.

[@user-hc2cz6uu3x]

@@chrisjamieson3452 "I talk to the trees, but they don't listen to me". I don't blame them - they're probably worried he might sing at them as well.

[@gretch8928]

😂😂😂​@@chrisjamieson3452

[@reneezie]

The cage was a real thing, it prevented items from falling on you in your sleep in case you house gets bombed.

[@chrisconniff4493]

Legendary drinking went on with Oliver Reed and Keith Moon while filming this movie!! Ann-Margaret is pure smoke in this movie❤

[@vrvaughn]

I worked on a movie with Oliver in the mid 70’s… he was fun… I have some great stories…

[@marybethdecesare5491]

Even now the British use poppy flowers on Remembrance Day, us Americans call it Veterans Day.

[@bastark6926]

If you notice the tiny crosses with red flowers attached at the memorial (around 10:45), those red flowers are poppies. This references a poem by John McCrae called "In Flanders Fields". It reads "In Flanders fields the poppies blow, Between the crosses, row on row"... I'm not sure about the US, but in Canada and most Commonwealth countries we wear poppies to remember our veterans on (in Canada) Remembrance Day (Nov. 11th). Our version of your Veterans Day. It's a powerful poem, worth taking in.

[@kkampy4052]

It is done to a lesser degree here. I have an artificial one I got from an old WWII vet several years ago. It stays on my dash.

[@lazerx1828]

The lyrics that were screamed at him, after his father was murdered, were: "You didn't see it, you didn't hear it, you won't say nothing to no one ever in your life!" Tommy, in shock from what happened, became deaf, dumb and blind from that moment on.

[@ChromeDestiny]

On the original Tommy album low in the mix and a bit more pronounced on the '72 symphonic version Tommy answers back "I saw it, I heard it, every word of it."

[@Daobobs]

I have no idea how you guys found your way into my recommendations, but holy crap I never thought I'd see a reaction to Tommy and I'm here for it.

[@KathrynwithaY]

Me too. It's great seeing people watch it for the first time.

[@barriehull7076]

Robert Powell ( born 1 June 1944) is a British actor who is known for the title roles in Mahler (1974) and Jesus of Nazareth (1977), and for his portrayal of secret agent Richard Hannay in The Thirty Nine Steps (1978) and its subsequent spinoff television series. He was nominated for a Best Actor BAFTA TV Award for Jesus of Nazareth in 1978, and won a Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival for his performance in the film Imperative in 1982. Powell began acting at school, playing the title role in Shakespeare's King Lear. For several years Powell continued as a television regular, with occasional forays into film, as the Austrian composer Gustav Mahler in the Ken Russell biopic Mahler (1974) and Captain Walker in Russell's film version of Tommy (1975). His role in Tommy had few lines, speaking only during the overture with Ann-Margret, he is primarily seen through the mind of his son as played by Barry Winch (Young Tommy) and Roger Daltrey. Wikipedia.

[@samguberman2288]

I love this film , great performances from Oliver Reed and Anne Margaret, what a voice. The music is sensational, saw this when it came out .

[@jons.105]

Just watched two OTHER guys on YT review "Tommy" and they just didn't get it. I remember in 1974, there were school friends of mine who were BAFFLED by "Tommy". I've always loved it. I think it's an improvement on The Who's original, and Ann-Margret deserved her Oscar nomination for Best Actress (she won the Golden Globe). Anxious to see how you both feel in the next installment!

[@houseofherald2046]

The Who did a live version in 1989 and had Phil Collins, Elton John, Bill Idol, Patti Labelle and Steve Winwood. It's definatley worth a watch to see Phil Collins as Uncle Ernie.

[@KathrynwithaY]

I love that live show. I've seen it so many times! ❤

[@ericj166]

The bed in the reinforced cage was supposed to give protection against a bomb hitting the house. During the war my mother also worked in a munitions factory. After the war the steel ball-bearings were used in pin-ball machines, situated in amusement arcades.

[@JonathanForres-de1jo]

Anne Margaret,Oliver Reed, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton, Elton John and more directed by the man who years later made Highlander! Tommy is a true Rock Opera which is why it could be turned into a live stage musical and The Wall could never be! Tommy is almost timeless in its storytelling! i saw rhe live show years ago and with a live band it was INCREDIBLE! When I saw the Who live a good portion of the show was from Tommy! Even here in Australia the audience response was amazing! Daltrey was just mesmerising! Good luck for the rest of rhe rection! It's an affecting, emotional trip!Jon from Aus

[@gretch8928]

I believe you're thinking of Russell Mulcahy as the director of Highlander, rather than Ken Russell. 🥰

[@porflepopnecker4376]

Ken Russell then made the ultra-weird Franz Liszt biopic LISZTOMANIA, which featured the tagline "It out-Tommys Tommy!"

[@vrvaughn]

@@gretch8928Yes,you’re right… Ken Russell did not direct Highlander

[@chefskiss6179]

So cool to see a channel do this flick. So many people only know Oliver Reed as the old gladiator owner in Ridley Scott's Gladiator but to see him here much less other flicks, so cool to see his range as an actor.

[@greenturtle8667]

This is great! Thank you for reacting to this. The Who are the greatest band of all time!

[@joelliebler5690]

My brother had me listen to the album when I was 9 or 10 when the album came out. Then way before the movie came out years later my brother took me to see The New York City Ballet perform the story of Tommy to music and even at my young age I loved! I have been a big WHO fan ever since then! The ultimate rock song From the WHO’s Next is Won’t Get Fooled Again!

[@kathyk5319]

I haven't seen this since it came out in theaters. Thanks for reacting to it. Love Ann-Margret in this movie! 🖤

[@j.h.3777]

I remember 0% of it!...lol

[@chaosandcreation4118]

Tommy caught them killing his dad who came back from war. In the album the dad kills uncle Frank.

[@sharon-jo9gb]

Can't wait for part 2 !

[@davidburton9136]

I saw this in the theater when it first came out. I was and still am a huge Who fan and knew the album inside and out. One thing to understand about the movie is that while the Who was obviously very involved, having created the original music and also their direct participation in the movie, the movie was director Ken Russell's vision of "Tommy". He wrote the screenplay and brought some reasonably fun visualization of the Who's music, but his storyline varied a bit from what the storyline as Townshend has explained it. Most of the really strange things in the movie are his inventions. Thanks for choosing to do this...the best is yet to come for you to see.

[@babylonsister118]

When I woke up this morning I thought, "perhaps today will be the day!" You guys just don't disappoint!! This is the absolute brilliance of Pete Townshend!! btw, back in the day, a mother's "friends" were often called uncle. When I was young I had this on vinyl and listened to it over and over, and saw it at the theatre when it came out. My kids grew up watching it, (age range 49-35, 5 sons) as well, so it was great being able to sing along. I never liked "uncle Frank", either which I am sure was deliberate on the part of Pete. Can't wait for the rest!! Thanks, guys!! What a great idea you had to do this! [edit after re-watch] Like someone else in the comments below said he became deaf, dumb and blind after not only witnessing his father's death, but their reinforcement of, "you didn't see it, you didn't hear it, you won't say nothing, etc..." over and over, so it's real but psychosomatic.

[@toddmitchell7542]

When you reviewed the Album, I knew all your confusion about the story would be revealed, I saw this in CINERAMA , when it came out I was 13 I believe, great review…..” I don’t like Frank”, was Classic. Thanks Guys.😊

[@patrickoconnor7890]

The scene with the dad looking in at Tommy is him returning from the war. He survived the plane crash. Then Tommy's dad found the mother and Uncle Frank in bed and Frank killed the father hitting him with the lamp. That's when they told Tommy he didn't, see or hear anything and won't tell anyone

[@johntarnowski9086]

Greatest Rock Band Ever

[@KathrynwithaY]

It's really interesting seeing people watch this film for the first time. I can't remember when I saw it for the first time! It's a film that's always been in my life.

[@laurenjo9963]

My family members are extras in this movie. They got paid every single day! My grandad had a really important role in thus movie, and subsequently ended up in during Roger Daltrey by accident!! He apologised the next day, to which Roger replied ' its not a problem, it looked great on camera!' Absolutely love this movie. Watch it all the time with my kids. My grandad is no longer with us, so it's nice to see him in this movie . My nan still has all her photographs and autographs from everyone! And we still live where the majority of it was filmed

[@porflepopnecker4376]

I saw this six times when it came out. We didn't have home video or cable back then, so I loved repeat viewings of my favorite current films, often "under the influence."

[@JJReagan]

I saw this movie first run in an old movie house in downtown Pittsburgh the Stanley Theater I was 12 at the time I was into the Who after the movie I was a “Who Addict” still my favorite band 48 years later!

[@jeremyadams1521]

Great reaction! This was one of my absolute favorite movies as a kid in the 80’s. I made my parents rent it for me all the time along with Disney movies. Go figure lol

[@kentclark6420]

My father had a sudden and tragic death when I was 21, resulting in a breakdown, which caused me to have delusions of being not only the return of Christ, (although I'm not religious, just spiritual). But also delusions of being Tommy. I saw the film around that time. I had many experiences which lined up with the ones Tommy had. Seeing as Tommy was symbolic, as a Christ-figure, it isn't surprising I connected the two together. My psychosis, fortunately, only lasted around six months. But I also had the deepest revelations which opened me up to a whole different reality and glimpse at my soul.

[@Jan-xn3kz]

Uncle Frank played by the notorious Oliver Reed who died during the making of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator in 1999.

[@cherylwoodward]

I don’t remember much about this movie-I was young and went to the drive-in with a bunch of guys, who were friends and people I worked with, but I distinctly remember Ann-Margaret (a huge “sex symbol” at the time) and the baked bean sequence and Oliver Reed (a star of both British stage and film-they were not insignificant actors) and just how avant garde this whole movie was to us, a group of smart kids from a small town. I wasn’t sure what to make of it at the time but absolutely appreciate it now.

[@kentclark6420]

This rock opera goes right to the heart of our spiritual being.

[@MikeytheGeek7711]

They thought Tommy's father was killed in the war, but he eventually returned, only to be killed by his stepfather. The trauma of seeing his father murdered combined with his mother and stepfather telling him that he didn't see it or hear it, made him withdraw into himself. So he really couldn't see or hear anything even though there was physically nothing wrong with him. Nobody loves The Who more than me, but even I thought this movie was embarrassing. It's only because their music is so great that their careers survived this. There are a few entertaining scenes though.

[@mikemicrael5749]

Sheer genius of Pete Townshend to come up with a stellar rewrite of the classic Tommy album to adapt it to a movie with actors singing the album lyrics. He wrote a lot of new music for the film. Pete's solo catalog is awesome as well.

[@michaelwebster8389]

The cage around the bed was presumably to stop flying glass from explosions.

[@Jan-xn3kz]

When I was a teenager the local cinema showed this film, Woodstock, Easy Rider and Woody Allen films basically on repeat.

[@suecook1326]

Ours added Reefer Madness to that fine list!!

[@Jan-xn3kz]

@@suecook1326 Goes without saying 🤪 and always some weird B movie about the Pyramids and Lay-lines !

[@blanewilliams5960]

Fantastic, love this film and can't wait for the next part! Thanks guys!

[@petervandervlies6427]

I liked the album better, if only for the music and the singing 😅 Pete Townshend did try to learn Oliver Reed how to sing, but it never really worked out 😂 The movie is fun,and it's getting better from this point. Some really good parts coming up. Thanks guys for doing this, great stuff. Can't wait for the next part.👊👍😁

[@debnoel6721]

The name of the album was TOMMY...A Rock Opera. An opera is all music-no speaking.

[@reneelyons6836]

I don't want to get lost, Ken Russell🤣🤣.

[@ricobonifacio1095]

Crazy movie, thanks for reacting to it! I think you will like it.

[@ElGordo1959]

27:35 ah the drunken Christmas conga - that's a blast from the past! 🙃

[@cainealexander-mccord2805]

It's so funny I found this today. For the last couple weeks I had been wanting to look up a reaction to this film but didn't-I figured with all the copyright BS there would be no point. And then, there you were! And I had just recently finished your excellent job on The Wall. And here is the complete film! After I finish this one, I'm off to watch the other two. Subbed!

[@richardromney9205]

history repeats it self. yet so does time. cool review. love the who and their insight. buckle up kids.

[@nazfrde]

Not sure how you both missed it, but Tommy saw Frank murder his dad. That was the big thing they were telling him he didn't see or hear. On the original LP Tommy's dad murdered Frank (and it was set in 1921, not 1951).

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Ladies and gentlemen a short intermission for medication and a club soda with a twist of lemon 😊

[@terryconnelly484]

Around the 25 minute mark is when the acid or the shrooms kick in

[@JoeSmith-ey2xp]

WW2 had a profound affect on the young bands of the 60s in England. Most were born right after the war and they grew up with the scars of that conflict everywhere they looked.

[@palamabron2481]

Frank is a sleezeball but if you want to know his ulterior motives, just take a good look at Tommy's mother. I don't think it goes much deeper than that. But there is also the suggestion that he's an inferior replacement for Tommy's father who's taking advantage of a war widow that he otherwise might not have had a chance with.

[@marybethdecesare5491]

I actually saw this on Broadway. Yes they made a broadway show it!!! lol.

[@neillenet291]

I think you guys missed the part where the father came home and tommy caught them in bed and then frank murdering the father. He became deaf, dumb and blind because the mother and the Uncle were yelling at him. Not to hear or see anything.

[@airplay_movies]

The sound was so loud in my ears and I blinked right there and I did miss it but I went back and watched afterwards so we are up to speed

[@neillenet291]

@airplay_reactions awesome. Love watching your reviews. You guys are so down to earth and insightful. And you schooled me today. I didn't know stevie wonder wrote because we've ended as lovers.

[@bluebird3281]

@@airplay_movies It was so frustrating yelling, "they killed the father" at pre-recorded people on the screen! LOL

[@midnightrambler7716]

The movie changed it from the end of WWI which was depicted on the album to WWII in the movie. For example, they changed 1921 to 1951. Maybe if they do a remake, it’ll be WWIII! 😂

[@SnuSlavin]

OMG YOU ACTUALLY WATCHED IT. SAW IT IN THE THEATRE....YEA

[@buffstraw2969]

You are watching a master filmmaker at work. KEN RUSSELL.

[@ricobonifacio1095]

This is how Townsend invisioned the rock opera. The album there was only his and Rogers voices. Now many can sing the parts like he originally wanted I'm sure.

[@deepermind4884]

This was director Ken Russell's vision of Tommy. There were things Pete didn't like about it & said later that the quintessential version of Tommy still hasn't been done. Pete did work his ass off to create new music for the film & he said his hair started falling out in clumps.

[@Theblackchromatic]

Fuck yes guys!! Y’all keep up with the best content out there- love y’all

[@tome2294]

The father/husband in the opening scene portrayed Jesus in the movie Jesus of Nazareth in the 70s. It was an iconic role for him as it was considered one of the best portrayals of Jesus in film.

[@tome2294]

Tommy is a rock opera written by Pete Townsend.

[@jontastic]

Been loving your content for the last couple years. Noticed I wasn’t subscribed, which surprised me. If people enjoy your stuff, they should subscribe, it’s only fair.

[@davidmaholchic6146]

Just subscribe to your movie channel this one is crazy good love Tommy love you

[@LordZebra]

the Lover redeems himself in the end. dies defending the Mother and Tommy

[@ricobonifacio1095]

His dad was alive and uncle frank killed him. It traumatized Tommy. Made him catatonic.

[@jimmyjohn2815]

👍

[@stevevanslow8669]

If you guys are going to watch music movies, you really need to watch "This is Spinal Tap". The greatest rockumentary ever. Keep up the great content.

[@airplay_movies]

We actually have that one on the list. Thanks for rocking with us!!

[@stevevanslow8669]

@@airplay_movies Do yourselves a favor, don't research it, just watch it.

[@krisdoggett483]

​@@airplay_moviesCool ❤

[@michaelwebster8389]

You should check out some of the stories about Keith Moon and Oliver Reed during the filming of this film They were two of the greatest party animals the wold has ever known.

[@ednicholson7839]

Pete Townshend said that they were actually talking to Stevie Wonder at one point about playing Tommy. Apparently Stevie's handlers were not keen on the idea even though early on Stevie seemed open to discussing it.

[@ChromeDestiny]

Stevie was offered the role of Pinball Wizard that Elton John took too. Pete said Stevie was interested but his brother didn't think it was a good idea.

[@debnoel6721]

He walked in when Uncle Frank killed his father. His dad was not dead before-he was Missing In Action.

[@robertprice6830]

Tommy saw creepy frank kill his Dad.

[@robertprice6830]

Ptsd

[@alfredneedham6195]

The trauma of seeing his dad getting killed. But he saw it through the mirror. This why he was free from going through the mirror

[@JerryDurante]

The cage thing, during WW2 a lot of people intentionally slept in cages in case their house was bombed. Hopefully the cage would protect you from being crushed by falling stuff.

[@independenceltd.]

tommy's dad was shot down during the war and was gone for six yrs. (hospital, amnesia...). he eventually found his wife and kid and frank killed him. the trauma of seeing his dad killed caused him to go deaf, dumb and blind.

[@Gravyballs2011]

Had the Allies lost WW2, it's possible that music as we know it would be unrecognizable. Think of all the music that would be deemed 'subversive' and dangerous and thus ended before it could catch on.

[@lucapolidori8817]

The Wall took the cross-like airplanes from Tommy and the imnmense stadium of The Trial from "Privilege", an older movie quoted by Patti Smith in her third album. Also that one deserves to be seen, if not a reaction to.

[@porflepopnecker4376]

I saw "Privilege" on TV when I was a kid and really liked it.

[@vrvaughn]

If you intend to review music films, I highly recommend the 1964 film, A Hard Day’s Night… a slice of Beatlemania. I also think you should watch The Last Waltz with The Band and a slew of guests.

[@bastark6926]

She thought Tommy's father was killed in the war. He wasn't and returned. "Uncle Frank" killed him, which Tommy witnessed. That's when they told him that you didn't see a thing, hear a thing or speak to of this.

[@lakephillip]

He saw his Dad murdered with a lamp, cracking him over the head. His Dad is at the end the bed dead.

[@tresianyfb5865]

Loves the Wall. I feel this is a tad more mental of cid inspired.... Based on the take aways of Tommy's times missunderstoods. N ect ect. Jack Nicholson is the doc ? Idk clue 1

[@lassekristoffersen5906]

Looking forward to Tina Turner.

[@loisrogers9042]

I never watched the film. Interesting.

[@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerek]

Bruh he didn't just see them in bed😂😂😂 they murdered his real dad😂😂😂

[@johnfountain5619]

Frank Zappa’s 200 Motels….Do it

[@robertprice6830]

That was the bombing of Britain WW2

[@michaeljohns3445]

He saw Uncle Frank kill his dad. He's not really a creep. Ibthink storybis he didnt know it was Tommy's dad. Just an intruder

[@johntarnowski9086]

Young Tommy saw them kill his Dad

[@neillenet291]

Did you guys finish reviewing the album?

[@airplay_movies]

We just did side 3. Should be up soon

[@neillenet291]

@@airplay_movies cool.

[@paulpuerling9504]

I would implore you to listen to the Soundtrack ,different mix than movie and soo soo much better

[@peteseegiii3201]

Tommy's mom and Frank killed his dad. He came home from the war somehow, and they BOTH caught them in bed. Frank kills the dad, and Tommy sees the whole thing.

[@chaosandcreation4118]

Tommys condition is psychosomatic sensory deprivation. Deaf dumb and blind caused by trauma.

[@m.valentinesmith4845]

Very impressed with you guys, your choice of film and treatment. You may notice, this and 'the wall' are from Brits who were born out of the blitz on London, the trauma and sacrifice. The British Invasion generation grew out if that. From skiffle street bands to rock operas in a few decades. The music of course, grew (stole arguably) out of Americana.. blues. (the highest form of flattery is plagiarism- Oscar Wilde)

[@ericj166]

Dickie Valentine ?

[@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerek]

It wasn't stolen at all. The brits added new styles and genres and changed music way more in a couple years than the americans ever did. Of course blues, jazz and early rock n roll influenced them but so did many other music styles from across the world. Also All american genres were heavily influenced or STOLE from European and African music.

[@cshubs]

It sounds like it's not even related to The Who's album Tommy. After you watch this, I suggest listening to the actual album.

[@cainealexander-mccord2805]

P.S. Did it escape you guys that they murdered Tommy's father?

[@drmorqWarrenProject]

THEY KILLED HIS DAD!!!!

[@moniqueleroux2198]

WW2

[@ed.z.]

Unlike in Europe and Asia, USA cities have never been carpet bombed in a war. Some people can’t even conceive of that brutal devastation and mass bloodshed.

[@bastark6926]

It's WW2.....

[@calvinbowes8797]

No he saw his dad killed

[@michaelwebster8389]

They killed his father in front of him.

[@wadehines9971]

The tragic thing about Tommy the movie is that in order to make the movie The Who had to let the Producers make music choices that largely dumped The Who and used covers. One can argue that Tina Turner and Elton John did great jobs but otherwise it's musically disappointing to a Who fan.

[@jeffjohnson9911]

It was an ok film, but to be honest, it was the glammed up, coked up hollywierd version of the story. It's still best to sit down with the original recording, clear your mind, and listen from beginning to end and let your own imagination fill in the picture.

[@jeffmartin1026]

I saw this when it first came out - didn't like it - I still don't. Rewatching it with you reminds me that I wasn't wrong the first time.