"Tommy" vs. "Jesus Christ Superstar": Duelling Messiahs - Old Movies for Young People Reviews

In this modern review, two movie musicals of the 1970s go head-to-head: we pit "Tommy" against "Jesus Christ Superstar" in a Double Feature battle of rock opera messiahs! Both rock hard and feature an awesome line-up of talent, but which one is better? Brad and Spence throw down in the Season 2 premiere.
It's the gay Baby Boomer versus the straight Millennial as we review, rate, dissect, and celebrate movies ranging from iconic classics to cult hits to mostly-forgotten gems of old Hollywood. This is Old Movies for Young People.
"Tommy" (1975) was written and directed by Ken Russell with music by Pete Townshend and the Who, based off the Who's rock opera. It stars Ann-Margret, Roger Daltrey, and Oliver Reed, with appearances by Elton John, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Pete Townshend, Keith Moon, John Entwistle, and Jack Nicholson.
"Jesus Christ Superstar" (1973) was directed by Norman Jewison, written by Jewison and Melvyn Bragg, and based off the rock opera by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. It stars Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, Yvonne Elliman, and Bob Bingham.
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#MovieReview #MovieRecommendation #MovieMusicals #1970sMovies #Tommy #JesusChristSuperstar #RockOpera #Season2 #BradFraser #OldMoviesForYoungPeople #TheWho #AndrewLloydWebber

[@JacksonVizzo]

Awesome Video!!!! Can’t wait to see the next episode! ⭐️😀

[@OldMoviesforYoungPeople]

Thanks Jackson!

[@pearnie34]

Love what you guys are doing. Lots of fun and memories!

[@OldMoviesforYoungPeople]

Thanks Phil!

[@Gigliamo1]

How have I followed you this long and just found this now? Looking forward to discovering more.

[@laurieditchburn823]

Love the way you presented both Jesus Christ Superstar and Tommy. It's the perfect double feature. Enjoyed your commentary so much~and love both soundtracks.

[@OldMoviesforYoungPeople]

Thanks for watching us Laurie! We will keep them coming all season.

[@maryblackstone4756]

Really enjoyed the comparative clips and your commentary, In the end you both make the case--the two of them are really great. You've motivated me to watch them both again--and hey, given this pandemic, those are pretty good options for COVID 19 entertainment.

[@OldMoviesforYoungPeople]

Thank you Mary. They're both definitely worth another look.

[@johnalcorn4690]

Feels like you guys have kicked things up a notch or two this season. I *loved* this episode (for the record, I kinda have a soft spot for girly-boy Christ too - don't hate me, Brad :p ). Congrats and hugs to both of you! :) ♥

[@OldMoviesforYoungPeople]

Thanks John!

[@mervyngreene6687]

Oh please, there is no contest. "Tommy," the movie sucked. However, Tina was phenomenal. And, I have to say, Ann Margret worked her butt off. The other stars just phoned it in.
"Jesus Christ Superstar" was incredible and stayed true to the Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage version.
Also, "Tommy's" scenes didn't gel. It would have been better if they writers had not tried to make it a complete story.
It is interesting that in both movies, the actor playing the title character is the weakest.

[@Dhalgren0]

Your usual excellent work, lads. These two works have a special place in my heart and mind, because the original album versions were responsible for my best friend and I in High School receiving an A+ for our presentation on these two works during our "Advanced English" class (They called it "Advanced," but it was really just a place to dump the smart-assed weirdos in 1969 small-town Ontario.)

[@Dhalgren0]

Youse two mugs is getting really SMOOOOOTH......

[@OldMoviesforYoungPeople]

Thanks Bruce. The albums are great. Maybe we should start doing Old Music for Young People too.

[@Dhalgren0]

@@OldMoviesforYoungPeople Don't get me wrong -- I love both movies, as well, AND the stage versions of each that I've seen. Speaking of young people and old music, have you seen the RUclips videos of those two young twin men of colour as they discover and embrace older music?

[@OldMoviesforYoungPeople]

@@Dhalgren0 Yes, some. They're really funny. It's a great idea.

[@andyboerger]

very enjoyable! fun conversation. I love both albums as well as both movies. (and musically, I prefer both albums to their corresponding movies).

[@OldMoviesforYoungPeople]

Thanks! The albums are great and musically they probably win, but it's tough to compare when you take the filmic elements into account.

[@miggans21012]

Godspell is good in its own way too. A little more down to earth then Jesus Christ Superstar and Tommy.

[@hippyandchicky]

Has to be Tommy.

[@OldMoviesforYoungPeople]

One of us agrees.