The Criterion Collection set to release The Who’s classic rock opera Quadrophenia | Film News
England’s The Who pioneered a world of pure rock ‘n roll that proved to be the catalyst to highly charged stage performances from the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page and many others. Their music has stood the test of time and sounds as new as it did during their fruitful experience as a band since 1964. Little has been untouched by them in the realm of music and they were among the first to popularize the concept rock opera album and took it the extra mile with the inclusion of a full length film feature. Quadrophenia is this concept album/film and is now seeing the light of day again in expanded reissue form with the prestigious Criterion Collection.
The film version of Quadrophenia was released much later than the 2lp album. The music was released in 1973 and was a play on words for the newest stereo technology: quadraphonic. Released in 1979, the film version features a very young Sting and embodies the full story of the Quadrophenia story-line but doesn’t subject to the music itself the entire time. If you are into highly imaginative and inventive music/film projects, this is one of the crowning achievements in that history field. The film is not a musical though, something that separates itself from the Tommy project the band is so well known for.
-Erik Otis
The Who’s classic rock opera Quadrophenia was the basis for this invigorating coming-of-age movie and depiction of the defiant, drug-fueled mod subculture of early 1960s London. Our antihero is Jimmy (Phil Daniels), a teenager dissatisfied with family, work, and love. He spends his time knocking around with his clothes-obsessed, pill-popping, scooter-driving fellow mods, a group whose antipathy for the motorcycle-riding rockers leads to a climactic riot in Brighton. Director Franc Roddam’s rough-edged film is a quintessential chronicle of youthful rebellion and turmoil, with Pete Townshend’s brilliant songs (including “I’ve Had Enough,” “5:15,” and “Love Reign O’er Me”) providing emotional support, and featuring Sting and Ray Winstone in early roles. – Criterion Collection
Ordering information here: http://www.criterion.com/films/27775-quadrophenia
United Kingdom
1979
120 minutes
Color
1.85:1
English


























































































