Young Tommy Walker is traumatised after he sees his real father, Group Captain Walker, killed by his brutal stepfather after the Group Captain returns to the family home following the war. Rendered deaf, dumb and blind Tommy lives in an isolated world, tormented by his sadistic cousin Kevin and is molesting Uncle Ernie. His only skill is playing pinball, reacting to the subtleties of the machine's play by a heightened sense of touch, and eventually becoming a champion by defeating the reigning Pinball Wizard. After a sympathetic Doctor suggests shock therapy to bring him out of his isolation, leading to a terrifying experience with the electrifying Acid Queen, Tommy is cured, and his miraculous recovery starts a new religion. But once more Tommy finds himself being exploited and abused.... Perhaps only a director such as Ken Russell could have done this film version of Pete Townsend's rock opera full visual justice, and the director's notable lack of restraint coupled to the pounding score, played in cinemas in a specially developed 'quintaphonic' sound mix, makes Tommy a memorable experience if only through its relentless, pounding mix of visuals and music. The thin plot is really just an excuse to string together a series of remarkable set-pieces, but Russell's imagination provides such sights as Elton John in absurdly huge Dr.Marten's boots as the Pinball Wizard, Tina Turner as the scintillating Acid Queen, Ann-Margret drowning in liquid chocolate and Keith Moon as a memorably sleazy Uncle Ernie. Russell abandoned what little subtly he ever possessed for this opus, and it remains an eye-opener if now dating a little.