Elton John Video:

		List Price: $26.95		Label: Sony Pictures Salesrank: 42052 Released: December 17, 2002
		Our Price: $19.31
		Used Price: $7.54
		MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Media: DVD

Editorial Review:
The Superbit titles utilize a special high bit rate digital encoding process which optimizes video quality while offering a choice of both DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. These titles have been produced by a team of Sony Pictures Digital Studios video, sound and mastering engineers and comes housed in a special package complete with a 4 page booklet that contains technical information on the Superbit process. By reallocating space on the disc normally used for value-added content, Superbit DVDs can be encoded at double their normal bit rate while maintaining full compatibility with the DVD video format.

Description of Tommy (Superbit Collection):
If you've ever wanted to hear Jack Nicholson sing (or try to) or marvel at the sight of Ann-Margret drunkenly cavorting in a cascade of baked beans, Tommy is the movie you've been waiting for. As it turns out, the Who's brilliant rock opera is sublimely matched to director Ken Russell's penchant for cinematic excess, and this 1975 production finds Russell at the peak of his filmmaking audacity. It's a fever-dream of musical bombast, custom-fit to the thematic ambition of Pete Townshend's epic rock drama, revolving around the titular "deaf, dumb, and blind kid" (played by Who vocalist Roger Daltrey) who survives the childhood trauma that stole his senses to become a Pinball Wizard messiah in Townshend's grandiose attack on the hypocrisy of organized religion.

The story is remarkably coherent considering the hypnotic dream-state induced by Russell's visuals. Tommy's odyssey is rendered through wall-to-wall music, each song representing a pivotal chapter in Tommy's chronology, from the bloodstream shock of "The Acid Queen" (performed to the hilt by Tina Turner) to Nicholson's turn as a well-intentioned physician, Elton John's towering rendition of "Pinball Wizard," and Daltrey's epiphanous rendition of "I'm Free." Other performers include Eric Clapton and (most outrageously) the Who's drummer Keith Moon, and through it all Russell is almost religiously faithful to Townshend's artistic vision. Although it divided critics when first released, Tommy now looks likes a minor classic of gonzo cinema, worthy of the musical genius that fueled its creation. --Jeff Shannon

Tommy (Superbit Collection) Reviews:
A Gold Plated Turd
2009-11-11 - Now allow me to preface this review with the simple statement that, although I like The Who and Tommy, I am in no way obsessed with either. I ENJOY them but I don't revere them. However, watching this film as someone who listened to the album is downright painful. The actors all make the most of their screen time and I thoroughly enjoyed Elton John, Tina Turner and David Bowie(despite his purpose in to the story being downright perplexing). Roger Daltrey also does quite well with his part but considering he spends a large chunk of the film blindly stumbling about in an almost vaudevillian way it doesn't strike me as much of a cinematic impact.

The film, on a positive note is an absolute visual spectacle to behold and the symbolism from the album is goregously displayed but the singing as a whole was poor for one major reason. Most of the cast couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, especially Jack Nicholson, surprisingly. I felt I was watching an hour and change long fan made music video, and the changes from the original piece are pointless and disturbing. In fact, as a whole this film is resplendent with f***ed up images, like a grown woman bathing in baked beans and champagne. All in all, this film is more like a bunch of buddies got together than a true cinematic work. There is visible effort put forth but the story is advanced verbatim by musical numbers so it feels like the cast was trying but the director and screenwriter were out to lunch. I did not enjoy watching this film but I am not everyone. Either you like it or you don't, and I personally do not

should have been better
2009-10-03 - Ever since I first saw this movie at age 15 in the theater when it was released, I loved it. This is what the '70s were all about.
Before I purchased the 2 disc collectors edition, I already owned the standard Universal DVD edition in Pal, standard 3:4 aspect ratio.

When I purchased this new edition I was expecting a much better picture and sound quality plus a great second disc with interesting extras.

First of all: the "restored" movie is just a little cleaner and smoother with less dust and scratches, but the grain remains, it is even a little darker, the colors/contrast have not improved - and even worse: the widescreen aspect ratio has been achieved by cropping off the picture top and bottom. O.K. This is the aspect ratio originally intended and shown at theaters, but the old version actually contains more image information on top and bottom and nothing is missing at the sides. I can only conclude that the movie has been shot and released as "open matte" (= there is more picture information on top and bottom, to be cropped off at screenings), yet the old full frame version looks way better to me.
I really appreciate the effort that has gone into this special edition but,

1) I would have expected a much crisper and clearer picture (and sound!). Transfers from an original negative - as advertised? Yeah sure, but why doesn't it look way better??? In fact the grain is the exact same and some scenes are so dark, that they contain less detail than the Universal release. Oh, and why is there black dust and why is the picture still kind of unstable (weave and float for those who understand) if it's from an "original" negative????

2) I would have expected a much better second disc. It just contains statements of the people originally involved, basically just selling themselves - as opposed to much more appreciated "how we did it" footage. Including story boards or how the set design was made, or how Pete Townshend got along with Ken Russell ("feigning" that it all was just "great" - promotional style - after all these years doesn't convince me).

All in all: if you have the old release, don't bother with this one, unless you are a real incurable Tommy fan as I am.
I give it three stars, because cropped, grainy image (even if cleaned up) and the usual statements of people involved in the original production telling us how great it was - just don't cut in in my book.
I am waiting for a smooth, clean edition - no extras needed.

This is for hard core Tommy buffs only.

Christian, Portugal

WAY TOO WEIRD
2009-06-01 - WELL TO ENJOY THIS FILM YOU MUST REALLY BE INTO NOSTALGIA.I FOUND IT HARD TO KEEP UP WITH WHATS GOING ON IN THE MOVIE,PLENTY OF DALTREY BUT NOT ENOUGH OF THE REST OF THE WHO.IT WAS COOL TO SEE SOME OF THE STARS AT THAT AGE,ALSO NOT ENOUGH WHO MUSIC WORKED INTO THE MOVIE.TOO BIZARE TO WATCH A SHOW WITH NO DIALOGUE,I PERSONALLY WAS DISAPOINTED WITH IT.WELL GARAGE SALE FODDER!

What the hell is this crap?
2009-04-13 - Some how I managed to sit through the entire movie. When it was over I wanted to slap my friend who made me watch it. Do not waste your time, there is nothing good that can come out of watching this.

"THE" rock opera
2009-02-12 - Having seen this as a early teenager and now as a 40 year old, I am much more appreciatative of the contributions of The Who to the history of rock and roll and much more on awe of Peter Townsends amazing talent. The music, the lyrics, come together and tell an incredible story. The singing of Ann Margret, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Jack Nicholson, Elton John add to the phenominal acting by Roger Daltrey. Even Keith Moons acting is so believeable you become entranced by his facal actions. A must see for any music lover and if you didn't love The Who before, you will almost certainly love them now. Truly an "amazing journey".