Quadrophenia (1979)

Franc Roddam's terrifically energetic movie, set to music from the Who's Quadrophenia, is--at the very least, the best film ever based on a rock album (and, yes, that includes, Tommy, Pink Floyd: The Wall, and Jesus Christ Superstar). Actually, this tale of the battle between two early '60s youth subcultures--Mods and Rockers--in the seaside teenage wasteland of Brighton, England, isn't so much a cinematic "version" of the Who's 1979 double-record rock opera as it is a story based on the sequence of songs on the album. Quadrophenia is about that crucial time in teenhood when the lion's share of your sense of identity is tied up in the music you listen to, the clothes you wear, and the groups you hang out with. Jimmy (Phil Daniels) identifies himself with the sharp-dressing, scooter-riding Mods, who listen to American soul and British pop-rock (The Who themselves were once rather Mod). The Rockers, on the other hand, are leather-jacketed, black-booted, motorcycle-riding tough guys who listen primarily to classic American rock & roll. The film captures this minor pop-culture revolution perfectly. Look for Sting as a club-hopping slickster, who's shameful secret is that he's a hotel bellboy by day. --Jim Emerson Amazon.com

Quadrophenia DVD

I always liked the movie and only had a used VHS copy. The DVD I bought was in good shape and I enjoyed watching QUADROPHENIA ON THE DVD format.
I have watched it a couple of times. I did have some trouble with the extra features (sub titles) coming on when I switched scenes during movie using the main menu. I would have to go back in main menu and keep turning the sub titles off. But if I watch the DVD all the way through without interruption I had no words popping up on me. Just For Today.
James Shoemaker


September 5, 2008

Teenage Wasteland

There are any number of reasons why rock concept albums do not necessarily translate to cinema, but director Franc Roddam takes the double-album of the same name from The Who and delivers a classic and timeless exploration of rebellion and turf warfare.

With the backdrop of the early-1960s clashes between the Mods and Rockers, Roddam masterfully utilizes the music and coming-of-age themes to weave a story that transcends the era being chronicled.

The impressions from the viewer comes from the lens that is worn - youth, misfit, in-crowd, adult, class - which is arguably the most intriguing aspect of this scorched field of teenage wasteland. August 12, 2008

Quadrophenia (Special Edition)

The Movie is set in the late 60's central London (UK) I am not sure who or what was the staring role, was it the actors or the Lambretta's not sure but both were just excellent. Language at times is a little blue, but this all fits in with the culture and the times.

If you're a real scooter buff this is the movie to add to your collection, I have had many a good hour watching over and over this classic epic don't let this slip by.
June 20, 2008

Ken what I mean?

A bible for the mod gen. And Sting, what a babe back in the day! May 23, 2008

"And So Castles Made of Sand..

..fall in the sea........ eventually."

Oh, wait a minute - quoting the wrong rock star. This is a Who movie.. And yet, they could've used Hendrix's tune for this one as well! The theme certainly fits.

The photography was pretty cool. I thought it'd been made in the late 60s due to the grainy texture of the film. Actually made in 1979, the characters, including the main, while not immediately likeable in my opinion, tend to grow on you. Their scene is both petty and desructive, the essence of rebellious youth. Mods against rockers? It's high school clickishness to the extreme. It's beleiveable though. It happened. And most people have been there (in some form or other) in teen years.

BUT - I was so happy to see, and really what redeems the film, is that it's not about glorifying "mods" or the lifestyle - actually when the realities of life start kicking in - you know, the need for a job, a girl, etc., the film really takes us to the psychological brink where realities confront illusions, where one stage prepares to meet the next. Set against white-washed cliffs and the sea, a boy on his scooter (well, actually that was Sting's scooter) has to decide what the future is going to be.

This is an interesting movie in it's own right. The Who were multi-talented. April 8, 2008

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