Tommy: The Who

Starcrystal · Jun 1, 2007

Believe it or not I just watched The Who's Tommy movie for the first time last night. I thought it was going to be slapstick cheezy like some of the Beetles movies but I was in for a surprize.
I was amazed at the heavy Christian message. Has anyone else who's seen it picked up on the message?
I don't think it's about a "Tommy cult" or worshipping Tommy or any of that. I think it is very symbolic of Christ, it denounces idolatry, rebukes drunkeness and drug use, shows the madness of organized religion and corruption in the church (mainly money-mongering, exploitation, and control of the masses), and finally at the end, the final lyrics to We're not Gonna take it are like a praise song:

"Listening to you,
I get the music.
Gazing at you,
I get the heat.
Following you,
I climb the mountains.
I get excitement at your feet.

Right behind you,
I see the millions.
On you,
I see the glory.
From you,
I get opinions.
From you,
I get the story."

While singing this Tommy looks up and raises his hand as if he were in a pentecostal song service...

Anyone else catch the Christian symbolism in Tommy if you've seen it?

Martin^^ · Jun 3, 2007

Never got that from it, though the messianic overtones are obvious. I always saw it as more about exploitation of youth, but I will watch more closely next time.
Can't say its my favourite rock movie, like most rock 'operas' it was over-long and pretentious: good songs, mediocre movie.
However it is memorable for Ollie Reed playing his usual excellent villain and Keith Moon harnessing his natural madness as Uncle Ernie.

Starcrystal · Jun 4, 2007

Martin^^ said:
Never got that from it, though the messianic overtones are obvious. I always saw it as more about exploitation of youth, but I will watch more closely next time.
Can't say its my favourite rock movie, like most rock 'operas' it was over-long and pretentious: good songs, mediocre movie.
However it is memorable for Ollie Reed playing his usual excellent villain and Keith Moon harnessing his natural madness as Uncle Ernie.

My wife didn't like it but she would probably say some Chrsitian symbolism since she admitted there was some. However she said it could send a confusing message.
Briefly, I won't write a thesis on it but here's some main points:

It shows the vanity of idolatry and how many people blindly follow hollywood stars, money, drugs, etc. (The Marylynn Monroe temple scene) Tommy wants nothing to do with the idol and in fact smashes it. (YEAH!)

The Chrstmas scene where the Mom sings "How will he know who Jesus was or what praying is? How can he be saved, from the eternal grave?"
Legit concern here. Faith comes by hearing & hearing by the word of God. Some miracles are visually seen, and questions about things of God can be asked - but Tommy is deaf, dumb and blind....

However, "See me, feel me, touch me, hear me." could be percieved as a type of prayer.

Cousing Kevin & Uncle Ernie are wicked, and these scenes show that kids/teens should not be left with just anyone so parents can go out at night. These scenes are extreme versions of physical & sexual abuse however.

Acid Queen... Parents take Tommy to be "healed" by a Prostitute who administers large doses of psychadelic drugs.... mind you, in the 60s & 70s when this music & movie were made, LSD was considered a viable (though experimental) "cure" for certain psychologic disorders. It definitely does NOT promote drug use since Tommy appears to resist until forced into the Acid machine thing.

"I'm Free" - finally when Tommy is healed he immediately begins talking Jesus type morality. He casts off his Moms jewelry and baptizes her. This symolizes the utter vanity of riches that lead to corruption (Mom had become a total drunk and let the evil stepdad run the show). Tommy stops the Hells Angels gang fight, he speaks out against drunkeness and drug use at his camp...

However the movie also shows 2 things... how someone can so easily get caught up in false religion and belief they are someone greater than they are. I think the evil stepdad has a huge hand in this, making a cult out of Tommys newfound enlightenment, and hiring wicked uncle Ernie to help rake in the money. Poor Mom unfortunately falls right along with them.

Finally the "disciples" rebel and kill his Mom and stepdad. At this point Tommy realizes his error and casts off the "Tommy Cross" out of his Moms hand. He then escapes the entire scene that's going up in flames, and at this point climbs the mountain where he was concieved in the beginning of the movie. the song he sings is an obvious praise song.

In other words I interpreted this to be that he did in fact finally know who Jesus was and who praying is, though he went through hell to get there.

The pinball I thought was wierd and wondered what meaning it had.... pinballs are actually a version of the ammo shot or flack shot his Mom worked with at the munitions factory, and its what she grabbed when she feignted after getting news of her husbands missing in action. Also, his plane was shot down by flack, not guns... you can tell this by the explosion rather than machine gun fire in that WWII scene. So the pinballs were involved in both his fathers crash and his Moms work & receiving news of that crash...
Pinball is more than just a game, Tommy says... and why did people have to be deaf, dumb & blind to play it well..... because it was symbolic of WAR which Tommy was gaianst as made obvious by the Vietnam scene in "I'm Free."

Therefore, Christian spirituality & ethics are definitely there.
Sorry... I think I wrote more than I inteneded but I don't think the true symbolism can be said with few words.

Martin^^ · Jun 4, 2007

That's a very interesting take on the movie, Starcrystal, I will watch it more closely next time. Thanks for taking the trouble to post in such detail.

radhead · Jun 4, 2007

No. Not Christian. But a different religion. Here's from the Wikipedia article on Townshend...

Spiritual path

Townshend has been a follower of the Indian religious guru Meher Baba, who blended elements of Vedantic, Sufi, and Mystic schools. Baba's teachings were a major source of inspiration for many of his works, including Tommy, and the unfinished Who project Lifehouse. The Who song "Baba O'Riley," written for Lifehouse and eventually appearing on the album Who's Next, was named for Meher Baba and minimalist composer Terry Riley. Although Baba's teachings require abstinence from drug use, Townshend has had several public battles with substance abuse, including a 1981 heroin overdose in which he came close to death.

Starcrystal · Jun 5, 2007

radhead said:
No. Not Christian. But a different religion. Here's from the Wikipedia article on Townshend...

Spiritual path

Townshend has been a follower of the Indian religious guru Meher Baba, who blended elements of Vedantic, Sufi, and Mystic schools. Baba's teachings were a major source of inspiration for many of his works, including Tommy, and the unfinished Who project Lifehouse. The Who song "Baba O'Riley," written for Lifehouse and eventually appearing on the album Who's Next, was named for Meher Baba and minimalist composer Terry Riley. Although Baba's teachings require abstinence from drug use, Townshend has had several public battles with substance abuse, including a 1981 heroin overdose in which he came close to death.

I see that Indian influence only in one place in the entire movie... about a 20 - 30 second scene where Tommy sits atop those ball things in the camp in a yoga position making mudra type hand movements.

I forgot to mention this yesterday, I got a pretty heavy interpretaion from it when I watched it...

From "I'm Free"

If I told you what it takes
to reach the highest high,
You'd laugh and say 'nothing's that simple'
But you've been told many times before
Messiahs pointed to the door
And no one had the guts to leave the temple!

JOHN 10:9 "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."

Messiahs pointed to the door.....

and isn't believing on Jesus for salvation really a simple thing. How many times have unbelievers said salvation can't be that simple... there must be works?

Isn't Jesus the "highest high?"

And for those priests and pharisees, maybe not "no one" but very few had the guts to leave the temple to follow Jesus. It was mainly common folk, non religious folk who followed Christ.

Then again, maybe God gave me a personal interpretation. I can understand what Lisa says about confusion. If a person is a new Christian, non Christian, or a nominal Christian they may not discern these things in the same way.

LisaStar · Jun 5, 2007

He's right, I didn't like the movie but I will say part of the reason is I didn't like the style of music. I'm not really into that seventies acid rock stuff. I also don't think some of the scenes are appropriate, like the part where he is abused by his cousin and uncle.
I do see some Christian symbolism, but I also see a guy who is claiming to be a messiah even though he isn't. I had a problem with those parts. Like my husband says, some people might take it a different way. I know Tommy teaches some good stuff that's the same as Jesus taught, he breaks free at the end of the movie - but there's so much "other" inbetween it could be very confusing.

Starcrystal · Jun 6, 2007

LisaStar said:
He's right, I didn't like the movie but I will say part of the reason is I didn't like the style of music. I'm not really into that seventies acid rock stuff. I also don't think some of the scenes are appropriate, like the part where he is abused by his cousin and uncle.
I do see some Christian symbolism, but I also see a guy who is claiming to be a messiah even though he isn't. I had a problem with those parts. Like my husband says, some people might take it a different way. I know Tommy teaches some good stuff that's the same as Jesus taught, he breaks free at the end of the movie - but there's so much "other" inbetween it could be very confusing.

This whole thing may be a matter of personal discernment. I can see how some people might see it from the guru angle, and the self proclaimed messiah problem might arise. However, I don't think those things are what are at the core of the movie. Like Martin^^ said, the messianic overtones are obvious. Question is do we look superficially and only see a young man who is exposed to a dark world and abuse who gets healed and goes on to become some sort of "saviour" or do we see the deeper things behind it? I notice no one checked option #4 in the poll so at least no one so far sees it THAT superficially!

radhead · Jun 6, 2007

Obviously he is one of many non-believers who sees Jesus as just a great teacher.

Starcrystal · Jun 7, 2007

radhead said:
Obviously he is one of many non-believers who sees Jesus as just a great teacher.

Pete Townswend might be an unbeliever, but I think the messianic messages show the movie looks at Jesus as MORE than just a great teacher...

"How will he know who Jesus was or what praying is? How can he be saved, from the eternal grave?"

"Messiahs pointed to the door"

People who view Christ as just a teacher DO NOT talk about being "saved" or call him "Messiah." People who believe that Jesus is the Son of God and died on a cross for our sins believe these things.....

Citanul · Jun 7, 2007

Starcrystal said:
People who view Christ as just a teacher DO NOT talk about being "saved" or call him "Messiah." People who believe that Jesus is the Son of God and died on a cross for our sins believe these things.....

"Messiah" doesn't necessarily have to refer to Jesus. It can refer to someone who is lead people to some form of deliverance.

An example of a use of the word messiah without a Christian context would be in Ziggy Stardust. I have no idea what David Bowie meant be "leper messiah", but I don't think that was a reference to Jesus.

As for the line about being saved, I think you may be reading a little too much into it. I see it as asking what's going to become of Tommy if he's not aware of the world around him.

Christianity is used as an example as that's the dominant religion of Western society, and it fits in with Christmas, which is what the song is about.

radhead · Jun 7, 2007

Sure they can call him a savior. The question is, what does Jesus save people from?

(1) God' eternal judgement?

(2) A negative attitude.

I think, to Townshend and the other followers of that religion, Jesus is like another self-help guru. That's all. "Open the door" to Jesus's way of thinking, and you too can be like him.

Starcrystal · Jun 8, 2007

radhead said:
Sure they can call him a savior. The question is, what does Jesus save people from?

(1) God' eternal judgement?

(2) A negative attitude.

I think, to Townshend and the other followers of that religion, Jesus is like another self-help guru. That's all. "Open the door" to Jesus's way of thinking, and you too can be like him.

I see both # 1 and 2 discussed in the movie... and again... maybe that's my own personal discernment and not everyone may get the same interpretation.
Which is good...... I know I won't be misled by having watched it. Could someone be misled? Sure. They could view the Acid Queen scene and think that tripping out on large amounts of psychadelics is cool. They might even interpret that Tommys "awareness" comes as a direct result of him having been given the LSD. Maybe it does and maybe it doesn't. But some people could interpret it that way.

Example... my own salvation. Did I meet Jesus because I had taken several LSD trips between 1979 and 1985 that opened the doors of my perception?
Or,
did I meet Jesus because Jesus reached out to me to deliver me from the sinful lifestyle which included the use of LSD?

I personally believe #2 but some people might say #1 as well.....

Diane_Windsor · Jul 13, 2007

It's a rock movie-nothing more.

Citanul · Jul 16, 2007

Diane_Windsor said:
It's a rock movie-nothing more.

It's actually a concept album that was made into a movie. And it does have spiritual themes, although I wouldn't say that they're Christian.

stosh44 · Jul 21, 2011

I saw this post and wanted to clear a few things up, as I have wrote to Pete and numerous occasions to witness to him and just chat.
1. Pete was raised Catholic....but later in life got into meher baba. I once asked as it is the teaching of baba that one should never leave their first religion...so I asked Pete if baba claims to be god, why would he say follow you r Catholic beliefs and not me which they contradict each other. Pete never replied.
2. Is is said that the song See Me Feel Me, was inspired by the thought Jesus may have felt on the cross. I don't really believe that one though.
3. Let My Love Open the Door was a song (pete's words about God the love of Christ) but he said he wrote it so it could be a love song that could cover all ends. Sort of like some of U2 songs, christian but not really. Anyhow, Pete wrote 3 songs off the last WHO albums based off the movie The Passion of Christ....I'm not saying he is a Christian, but he needs our prayers and love as well. So keep Pete his brother Simon in your prayers. Cheers

American Routes · Jul 25, 2011

Starcrystal said:
Believe it or not I just watched The Who's Tommy movie for the first time last night. I thought it was going to be slapstick cheezy like some of the Beetles movies but I was in for a surprize.
I was amazed at the heavy Christian message. Has anyone else who's seen it picked up on the message?
I don't think it's about a "Tommy cult" or worshipping Tommy or any of that. I think it is very symbolic of Christ, it denounces idolatry, rebukes drunkeness and drug use, shows the madness of organized religion and corruption in the church (mainly money-mongering, exploitation, and control of the masses), and finally at the end, the final lyrics to We're not Gonna take it are like a praise song:

"Listening to you,
I get the music.
Gazing at you,
I get the heat.
Following you,
I climb the mountains.
I get excitement at your feet.

Right behind you,
I see the millions.
On you,
I see the glory.
From you,
I get opinions.
From you,
I get the story."

While singing this Tommy looks up and raises his hand as if he were in a pentecostal song service...

Anyone else catch the Christian symbolism in Tommy if you've seen it?

Either we're thinking of two different movies or we're reading two radically different Bibles because I can't think of anything even remotely "Christian" in Tommy.

Ironically, former Christian rock star and current heretic/nutjob, Mylon LeFevre appears on the soundtrack of the movie.

lovedandhisforever · Jul 26, 2011

I am a huge Pete Townshend fan! Huge! Tommy was my first record ever owned. After i became a Christian I actually threw out my cd several times. Bought one, tossed it, bought one tossed it. LOL...becuz I cannot figure out whether it is blasphamous or not? It has Strong NT message.

My take on Tommy is that it can be viewed as a mockery of God. Consider the eric clapton scene in which the blood and body of Christ were replaced with alcohol and drugs. I cringe even typing that! Then the boy becomes a messiah, Christ-like. Even the symbol, a pinball atop a partial crucifix...all very Christian symbolism.

I never looked at it as being a movie/cd that praises God but mocks God. If you watch the Sally Simpson part, The father was a Christian preacher who while "cleaning his blue rolls royce" hes making the sign of the cross with the cleaning towel.

I have the cd again, becuz I love adore this music. I struggle tons with secular music becuz im a musician and when i love something, I just love it.

YET, in the end, as Tommys world collapses, he raises his arms and sings a prayer like song which appears to be to the REAL God. LOL....very confusing.

Townshends 1973 work quadrophenia appears to end with the main character, a young drug, sex and rock and rolled mod killing himself, but in another closer look, i feel the end song was a cry out for spiritual love. The last song is Love reign o're Me. As he renounces his former lifestyle and appears to cry out spiritually for peace.

But Townshends spiritual mentor is meher Baba, some eastern guru who didnt speak for 40 years or something. Hence "deaf dumb and blind boy"

Lastly, in 1994 Pete wrote a song called "The Man in a Purple Dress" after watching The passion of the Christ. This song is clearly Christian and very powerful. Youtube it and tell me what your take is on its message.

I do the complete tommy on youtube and enjoy much of it, other parts I skip. This is the best froum on the net for us Christians. Ive always wanted to discuss the tommy concept.

stosh44 · Jul 26, 2011

Yes you are right, just rememeber one thing.....the movie version of Tommy was created by Ken Russell, who is uhmmmmm...nuts. So he put a lot of his views and opinions in the movie, Townshend has been documented as saying he hated it. Now on the other hand teh Broadway version is much better and made much more sense. Again I say all this not to say Tommy is a Christian movie, not at all, but Pete was raised in the Catholic church. He also did see the Passion of the Christ, and I have sent him a few good christian books, (Philip Yancey , Brennan) I do believe it was in an interview that someone asked Pete if he feared God, to which he said "No I love Him" Again I don't not say he is a Christian, he was abused as a child and has used music as a way to cope, he is a very mild man. He does need our prayers though.
Love reign on Me, Bargain, Let my love open the Door, A little is enough (a song that says as long as we are loved a little.... it's enough) He has shown he spiritual side.Again pray that he finds the true God ..Jesus the Christ.

nowheregirl · Oct 7, 2011

How dare you.
The Beatles' movies are art.

Tommy: The Who

How do you interpret "Tommy" by The Who?

Heavy Christian symbolism

Some Christian symbolism

Just another rock - cult movie that has nothing to do with God

Worship Tommy and Play pinball is all it shows.

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