Movie Description After essentially inventing the rock opera format, The Who followed the cult favorite TOMMY and numerous aborted rock-opera projects with the album QUADROPHENIA. This film version, directed by Franc Roddam, illuminated the feelings of disillusionment and confusion evident in songs such as "Love Reign O'er Me," "Dr. Jimmy," "The Real Me," and "Bellboy."
The film follows the bitter battle between the Mods and the Rockers, two rival biker gangs. The story is seen through the eyes of Jimmy Cooper (Phil Daniels), an angry young man whose hatred of authority and mediocrity is matched only by his passion for rhythm and blues music. When the Mods and Rockers both arrive in Brighton on holiday a riot breaks out, landing Jimmy in prison with Ace (Sting in his acting debut), the idolized leader of the Mods. Jimmy returns to London where his parents kick him out and he loses his job. He then discovers Ace is working as a bootlicking bellboy, leaving Jimmy confused and enraged. He hijacks a scooter and rides to the cliff tops that act as a highly symbolic backdrop for the film's bleak conclusion.
| Credits | | Writer: | Dave Humphries, Martin Stellman | | Producer: | Roy Baird | | Cast: | Garry Cooper, Philip Davis, Ray Winstone, Sting |
| Details | | Sound: | Stereo Sound |
Notes DVD Features:
Region 1 Keep Case Pan & Scan - 1:33 Single Side - Single Layer Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 - English Additional Release Material: Audio Commentary - 1. Franc Roddam - Director Original Theatrical Trailer Full-Motion Menu Interactive Features: Scene Access Trivia Games - 1. Are You a Mod or a Rocker? Animated Location Map Text/Photo Galleries: Publicity Photos Script Photos Memorabilia Filmographies - 1. Phil Daniels - Star 2. Mark Wingett - Star 3. Sting - Star 4. Franc Roddam - Director Discography - 1. The Who, Theatrical release: November 2, 1979.
Rock musician Sting makes his acting debut in QUADROPHENIA.
Songs include "The Real Me," "Love, Reign O'er Me," and "My Generation."
Editorial Reviews "...An authentic piece of nostalgia....With a fine soundtrack by The Who which plays a strong integral part in the storytelling..." Variety - Simo. (05/02/1979)
"...Gritty and ragged and sometimes quite beautiful..." New York Times - p.C6 - Janet Maslin (11/02/1979)
"...[The film] retains its reeling us-versus-them urgency..." Entertainment Weekly - Brian M. Raftery (10/05/2001)
"...This energetically bleak era-definer deserves another peek..." Total Film - Daniel Webb (08/01/2003)
"Brilliant '89 adaptation of Pete Townshend's homage to mid-''60s mod culture..." Mojo - Mojo Staff (12/01/2004)
"Roddam translates the Who's rock opera into a vivid recreation of mid-1960s mod culture, preserving the clothes, music and Vespa scooters..." Sight and Sound - Matthew Leyland (12/01/2006)
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