Tommy (1975 film)

Tommy is a 1975 British musical fantasy drama film written, co-produced, and directed by Ken Russell, based on the Who's 1969 rock opera album about a psychosomatically deaf, mute, and blind boy who becomes a pinball champion and religious leader. The film featured an ensemble cast, including the members of the Who themselves (most notably, lead singer Roger Daltrey, who plays the title role), Oliver Reed, Ann-Margret, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Jack Nicholson, Robert Powell and Tina Turner. An independent production by Russell and Robert Stigwood, Tommy was released in the United States on 19 March 1975 by Columbia Pictures and in the United Kingdom on 26 March 1975 by Hemdale Film Corporation. The film was shown at the 1975 Cannes Film Festival, but was not entered into the main competition. Ann-Margret received a Golden Globe Award for her performance and was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Pete Townshend was also nominated for an Oscar for his work in scoring and adapting the music for the film. In 1975, the film won the award for Rock Movie of the Year in the First Annual Rock Music Awards.