<P> Tommy was released by Columbia Pictures in US on March 26, 1975 while in the UK it was released on March 19, 1975 . Upon release, the film received largely positive reviews from film critics and audiences respectively . Many praised the writing, directing, soundtrack, cast performances, atmosphere and the psychedelic visual style . However, many criticized the film for the violence . In addition to the positive critical reception, the film was a commercial success with grossing over $34 million worldwide against a budget of $5 million . In addition to its success, Ann - Margret received a Golden Globe Award for her performance and was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress . Pete Townshend was also nominated for an Oscar for his work in scoring and adapting the music for the film . The film was shown at the 1975 Cannes Film Festival, but was not entered into the main competition . In 1975, the film won the award for Rock Movie of the Year in the First Annual Rock Music Awards . </P> <P> "Prologue 1945". A montage displays the honeymoon of Captain Walker (Robert Powell) and his wife, Nora (Ann - Margret). After his leave ends, Walker goes off to fight in World War II as a bomber pilot, but is shot down in the middle of a battle . "Captain Walker" is listed as missing in action and is presumed dead, although--unknown to his family--the badly burned Walker is in fact alive . Back in England, Nora goes into labor and gives birth to a son, Tommy, on V-E Day . Five years later, Nora has begun a new relationship with Frank (Oliver Reed), a worker she and Tommy meet at Bernie's Holiday Camp . Tommy looks up to his "Uncle" Frank and expresses his desires to run his own camp some day . In the 1950s, Nora and Frank dream of their future, but, late that evening, encounter the returning Captain Walker . He surprises Frank and Nora in bed, leading to a struggle and the Captain's subsequent murder by lamp . Tommy, having followed his father into the room, has witnessed everything . Nora and Frank nervously yell at Tommy, which, along with the trauma of watching his father's murder, puts Tommy into a psychedelia - like "Amazing Journey", in which, outwardly, he cannot seem to see, hear or speak . </P> <P> As time passes, Nora and Frank make several fruitless attempts to bring Tommy out of his state, including a Preacher (Eric Clapton) and his Marilyn Monroe worshipping cult ("Eyesight to the Blind") and an LSD serving cocotte and self - proclaimed "Acid Queen", (Tina Turner) while also putting him with babysitters such as Tommy's bullying "Cousin Kevin" (Paul Nicholas), and his perverted "Uncle" Ernie (Keith Moon) ("Fiddle About") both of whom abuse him but Tommy refuses to react . Nora and Frank begin to become more and more lethargic and leave Tommy standing at the mirror one night, allowing him to wander off . He follows a vision of himself out of the house and to a junkyard pinball machine . Tommy is recognized by Nora, Frank, and the media as a pinball prodigy, which is made even more impressive with his catatonic state . During a championship game, Tommy faces the "Pinball Wizard" (Elton John) with the Who as the champion's backing band . Nora watches her son's televised victory and celebrates his (and her) success ("Champagne"), but soon has a nervous breakdown upon thinking about the real extremes of Tommy's condition . </P> <P> Later, Frank finds a Specialist (Jack Nicholson) for Tommy . The Specialist, upon testing the boy, concludes that his state is emotional, rather than physically triggered and the only hope is for him to continue to "Go to the Mirror". During the tests, Nora and the Specialist flirt, much to Frank's jealousy . Nora's growing frustration prompts her to "Smash the Mirror" by throwing Tommy through it . This incidentally resurges Tommy from his state and he runs loose ("I'm Free"). Nora finds Tommy and explains what has happened during the time he has missed, while Tommy reveals that his experiences have transformed him and that he wishes to transform the world ("Mother and Son") </P>

Who played the pinball wizard in the movie tommy