Half a century on from the sublimely ridiculous Tommy, the passionate abandon that distinguished Russell’s films – from composer biopics to the infamous The Devils, among other bonkers oddities – is needed now more than everThis month marks the 50th anniversary of the release of one of the most important and groundbreaking pop movies of all time: Ken Russell’s psychedelic screen adaptation of the Who’s rock opera Tommy (1975). Marketed with the eye-catching tag lines “Your senses will never be the same” and “He will tear your soul apart”, the film starred Roger Daltrey as the traumatised kid who becomes a Pinball Wizard and (more importantly) a cult messiah.Blending themes to which Russell would return throughout his career (the transformative power of music; the alchemical madness of genius; the dark power of false religion), Tommy was a typically wild ride that swung between the sublime and the ridiculous. Among its most memorable set pieces were Elton John in mile-high bovver boo...
Mark Kermode reflects on Ken Russell, a visionary director known for his bold and unconventional films, marking the 50th anniversary of *Tommy* (1975). Russell’s work, including *The Devils* and *Women in Love*, blended themes of music, madness, and societal critique. Despite his reputation for excess, Russell was a profound artist whose passionate abandon in films like *Tommy* remains influential. His legacy as a disruptor of traditional cinema continues to resonate.
