MovieChat Forums > Tommy (1975) Discussion > Opening/closing observation and question...

Opening/closing observation and questions.

posted 10 years ago by aspergius5
2 replies | jump to latest

Before I get to the main subject matter of this posting, I would like to ask how many think the rock opera seems to be some sort of tribute to the condition I have; Autism Spectrum Disorder? I would say it fits because in the past Autism Spectrum Disorder individuals did get passed off as deaf, dumb and blind. Now to the main subject matter; isn't it a peculiarity how the movie begins and ends on the same mountainside? Does anybody know where this particular mountain was located where we see Ann-Margret and Robert Powell sitting on it in the second shot, and Roger Daltrey standing on it in the next to last shot near the end? I'm curious also how the sunset special effect at the beginning and the sunrise special effect at the end were achieved. What was the body of water that was in front of the mountains that were behind Ann-Margret, Robert Powell, and Roger Daltrey?

[–] casble 9 years ago

Tommy had a psychosomatic disorder caused by trauma. The movie shows he wasn't born that way so it is doubtful any similarity to autism was intentional.

As to the mountain and special effects, sorry I do not know where any of it was filmed but the special effects were fun to watch. Today's effects may be very realistic but you never wonder how they were able to achieve them. I love seeing a movie that makes me ask "How did they do that?".

[–] catjoescreed 9 years ago

Except that autism often doesn't show up until a child is two or three years old.

I agree that Tommy's handicaps are trauma-induced, but I also see a lot that could be considered autistic-like behaviors - for instance, his fascination with the mirror to the exclusion of all else, and his remarkable affinity for the pinball machines' vibrations and rapid visuals.