Rating: 
Summary: STILL one of the definitive movies of a lost era...
Review: This release of Quadrophenia is very good, but doesn't quite reach the superb mark. Dramatically improved from the VHS release of many moons ago, the DVD release recaptures some of the sound and fury that I recall when I first saw the movie upon its release in 1979. Visuals are improved and colors enhanced, though discretely, but there are still a number of visual flaws in the transfer (e.g., scratches in the film are preserved, as well as occasional film artifacts). The sound reinforcement REALLY improved the experience, adding depth and presence to what was once a very tinny sounding film.All of that being said, I believe Rhino did a wonderful job in the transfer, with the logical next step of preservation being a digital polishing (digitally removing scratches and artifacts, reregistering each frame, digital smoothing, etc.) I'm not sure what else can be done to improve the audio track, as apparently it was pulled from the optical track on the film master (no separate mag tapes?) Rhino is not Lucasfilm, and they don't have access to the $100MM post-processing digital labs of the latter, so I have no expecations of any digital magic on an indie cult classic like Quadrophenia. Hey, this is a movie about '60's Brits, and it definitely retains that '60's feel!! Isn't that what indie flicks are all about? This is a wonderful remastered movie, with great extras, and it retains the same visceral punch as it did when first released. A superb companion to the masterpiece album by The Who that is its namesake, I highly recommend it. Four stars of five. P.S. If you've never seen Quadrophenia before, I strongly suggest listening to and studying the entire musical album two or three times prior to viewing the movie. The emotion and fury unleashed by The Who in this album is virtually unmatched by any other album or artist at any time -- it truly is a modern musical masterpiece, and far surpasses Pete's original (and overhyped) opera, Tommy, in scope, range, and maturity. Twenty five years later, and this album is still as incredible and vital as the day it was released. Finally, go in peace, Ox, for we do miss you...
Rating: 
Summary: John in L.A.
Review: I have been waiting for someone to put Quadrophenia to disc for YEARS! Finally someone (Rhino) did. The movies is still awesome. Unfortunately, the producers of the DVD fell way short. They attempted to "restore" the film. They did a lousy, cheapy job of it. Using a device called a Rank to enhance/color correct the film, it failed miserably. The Rank is good but you cannot stop there, you must DRS (Digital Restoration System)the film to remove dirt and scratches. Merely using the Rank is the poor man's way out. The disc allows you to see a split screen of the old and new. The old looks better most of the time! You can tell they didn't "restore" the film by looking at the very first shot of the movie, when Jimmy is on the cliffs. There are more scratches on the film than on my old Quadrophenia vinyl LP from 1979! Truly hideous and disappointing. They should have fixed this.
The sound is equally weak. First off, in the professional world, they don't use Protools for mastering audio, especially 5.1 audio (more shocking that they even admitted it right there on the disc). Another lame attempt to consumers into thinking they "restored" it. When you switch from original stereo to 5.1, it sounds like you gust turned the volume up a few notches, sot to mention all of the pops and cracks that are still present in the sound. Obviously they must have had poor elements, or would/couldn't attain original source audio.
The menus are also weak. Here was a chance to do something really creative, but all they did was pulled some images from the film, made them different colors and threw them onto the screen. Unfortunately, they did biography menus too that were all static and boring as well. The WORST was the "pop up video" feature. Almost always worthless trivia having nothing to do with the film! They could have hit a home run with this feature, but they didn't even make it off home plate. Rhino has also included a photo-gallery of old press photos, and continuity pictures. This also could have been cool but they are so small and poorly digitized onto the disc, that they aren't worth looking at. The producers should have cleaned them up and enhanced them or not included them at all. By far the best thing they did was to get the director to do a commentary. It was great. Worth the price of the disc just for this. But I have to ask: weren't there any other actors in the film? Perhaps some of them could have participated on the commentary track, I know that most of them are available.
The bottom line is that the film is always going to be great and the DVD version blows the old VHS away, but the people at Rhino fell asleep on this one (though I still bought two).
Rating: 
Summary: An unforgettable teen angst classic
Review: When "Quadrophenia" first came out in 1979, I think most people were expecting a "Tommy"-like rock opera, with music by The Who blasting from the speakers and Roger Daltry playing pinball adorned in a mask. Much to most people's surprise, "Quadrophenia" is a story about teen angst in England, with background music by The Who. The story is the key, and "Quadrophenia" details the historic Mod/Rocker riots of the 1960s. The riots were fueled by teen rebellion, rock music and a youthful generation seeking its identity. The beauty of "Quadrophenia" is the film's themes of youths trying to find their place in the world is timeless and internationally identifiable. You don't have to be a British lad to love this story. Several scenes are so emotionally harrowing as to be disturbing. The protagonist Jimmy Michael Cooper (brilliantly played by Phil Daniels) begins to self destruct as the movie progresses. He loses his home, his job, his girlfriend and eventually his identity in a haze of drugs and misguided motivation. The scene where he begs his ex-girlfriend to explain herself, to which she answers "It was just a giggle" will bring a tear to most eyes. It is the saddest form of rejection and as emotionally truthful a scene one is most likely to see. I think many teenagers eventually go through a process similar to what is seen in "Quadrophenia." One's identity when growing up is always related to the music, the parties, the mode of dress and the friends one chooses. The world is seemingly yours. As the Mods begin their march in Brighton, chanting, screaming, arms wrapped around one another, they are a force. They can change the world. So when the world rudely interrupts the dream, as the police break up the riots, as people move on to the next day, one uncomfortably realizes it really was all just a "giggle." This is the sad quandry Jimmy Michael Cooper must confront. When watching "Quadrophenia," specifically the final scene where he rides the stolen scooter along the cliffs of Brighton, you're never sure what choice Cooper is going to make. The Mods most certainly fueled the eventual punk movement, and I think many people who love this film came from that 1980s generation. The clothes and the hairstyles (including Sting, in an early role as the coolest Mod) are identifiable to the punk generation. What Jimmy Michael Cooper eventually confronts is similar to the conflicts of the punk generation (or any teen generation for that matter). Sadly, the movement must be left behind and we must ask ourselves what the meaning of it all was. To reach maturity, many of us must travel the same path of Jimmy Michael Cooper - and he's faced with some difficult choices. The Who produced this film, and they must be applauded (as should director Franc Roddam) for creating a classic work about teen rebellion. The music of The Who, including "The Real Me," "Love Reign O'er Me," "Bell Boy," and "I Am the Sea" has been expertly used throughout. "Quadrophenia" is a great film not just because it details British teen angst, but timeless, international teen angst.
Rating:
Summary: seems about right
Review: I wonder why Americans of 2000 would be interested in English working class youth culture of the 1960`s, but still. Quadrophenia is accurate in its depiction of the times & people. I was not a 60`s Mod, thankfully ( as i see it now) about 6-10 years too young, however the scene did not die in the North of England & I picked it up in the seventies with many original Mods still active. Everyone who saw Quadrophenia in the seventies was impressed by its accuracy of detail & it was a hard audience believe me. The spirit of the youth of the time was so well captured, the rebelion & the astonishment of the older generation If you have any reason to wish to know about the Mod culture just get the film. The soundtrack is great & just as a movie to pass the time it is well worth watching. To sum it up, it takes me back a bit ,god my poor mother, sorry mum.
Rating:
Summary: An unforgettable teen angst classic
Review: When "Quadrophenia" first came out in 1979, I think most people were expecting a "Tommy"-like rock opera, with music by The Who blasting from the speakers and Roger Daltry playing pinball adorned in a mask. Much to most people's surprise, "Quadrophenia" is a story about teen angst in England, with background music by The Who. The story is the key, and "Quadrophenia" details the historic Mod/Rocker riots of the 1960s. The riots were fueled by teen rebellion, rock music and a youthful generation seeking its identity. The beauty of "Quadrophenia" is the film's themes of youths trying to find their place in the world is timeless and internationally identifiable. You don't have to be a British lad to love this story. Several scenes are so emotionally harrowing as to be disturbing. The protagonist Jimmy Michael Cooper (brilliantly played by Phil Daniels) begins to self destruct as the movie progresses. He loses his home, his job, his girlfriend and eventually his identity in a haze of drugs and misguided motivation. The scene where he begs his ex-girlfriend to explain herself, to which she answers "It was just a giggle" will bring a tear to most eyes. It is the saddest form of rejection and as emotionally truthful a scene one is most likely to see. I think many teenagers eventually go through a process similar to what is seen in "Quadrophenia." One's identity when growing up is always related to the music, the parties, the mode of dress and the friends one chooses. The world is seemingly yours. As the Mods begin their march in Brighton, chanting, screaming, arms wrapped around one another, they are a force. They can change the world. So when the world rudely interrupts the dream, as the police break up the riots, as people move on to the next day, one uncomfortably realizes it really was all just a "giggle." This is the sad quandry Jimmy Michael Cooper must confront. When watching "Quadrophenia," specifically the final scene where he rides the stolen scooter along the cliffs of Brighton, you're never sure what choice Cooper is going to make. The Mods most certainly fueled the eventual punk movement, and I think many people who love this film came from that 1980s generation. The clothes and the hairstyles (including Sting, in an early role as the coolest Mod) are identifiable to the punk generation. What Jimmy Michael Cooper eventually confronts is similar to the conflicts of the punk generation (or any teen generation for that matter). Sadly, the movement must be left behind and we must ask ourselves what the meaning of it all was. To reach maturity, many of us must travel the same path of Jimmy Michael Cooper - and he's faced with some difficult choices. The Who produced this film, and they must be applauded (as should director Franc Roddam) for creating a classic work about teen rebellion. The music of The Who, including "The Real Me," "Love Reign O'er Me," "Bell Boy," and "I Am the Sea" has been expertly used throughout. "Quadrophenia" is a great film not just because it details British teen angst, but timeless, international teen angst.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant look at the brink between adolescence & adulthood
Review: This film deserves to be in the pantheon of classic teen angst films (though it will really speak to adults reflecting on their years more so than it will for teens). I think it's the best film I've ever seen in that genre (and is based on probably the best album that ever covered such ground). There is real grit to the film, real emotion and pathos (but also a teriffic sense of humor). The cast is also outstanding (why Phil Daniels didn't become a big star is anybody's guess). But add to this the knockout soundtrack (from the "Quadrophenia" LP and other radio hits of the 60s), and you practically have a perfect film (I'm always hesitant to say anything is truly perfect). But I wouldn't change anything here. It is an unqualified success. It helps to understand the milieu of the film, so read up here on the mods and rockers so that you understand the time and place. But then hang on for a long, LOUD ride! This movie just knocks me out! I wish I had seen it when I was a teenager. Better late than never!... Don't miss it! And I will say this movie was much better the second time around (especially at a theatre). The film is so loaded with atmosphere and cultural references that you can't possibly take it all in in one sitting.
Rating:
Summary: Corrections
Review: Michael Gillis here with a small request. Having already written a review fof Quad sp edition, i would like to point out that my review is featured twice. I did some grammer changes after I submitted my review thinking the changes would become automatic, instead a second review appeared with the changes in place. Could you please remove the first review as it is now irrelevant. Thank you kindly. Michael Gillis.
Rating:
Summary: what is special about this special edition
Review: Quadrophenia is not so much an account of mod (or modernisim as it was originally known). It is much more of a conceptual piece centering itself around the experiences of Jimmy cooper, a multi faceted personality, with the mod aspects giving a base to his predicaments. It was a story developed by Pete Townshend in the 70's with the 60's mod movement in mind. This is further developed by the use of director Franc Roddam's use of a contempory setting.
Some people have criticised the film for not being firmly rooted in the 60's, but I think the crossover works well, allowing the mix to sit in with the overall themes of the film. By using this approach the film can also unite people form different generations. I think this is important. And now to the film.
Quadrophenia opens where it closes, above the clifftops of brighton. From here we are transported back to sheppards bush where we are introduced to Jimmy as a character. We see his surface side as he enters the goldhawk club, well dressed and self assured. A Mod. As the film continues though we see him repond differently to various situations, be it his home life, at work, with his friends or when chasing his dreamgirl Steph ( played by Leslie Ash.). He is basically dissatisfied and in search of what's elusive. It is during the second half of the film we see this becoming more obvious. Set in Brighton on a bank holiday weekend Jimmy and his friends join together with an army of mods, for a weekend of dressing, dancing, pills and punchups. It is when Jimmy gets evicted from the dance for jumping of a balcony he begins to drift away from the numbers.
For me this is where Quadrophenia begins to take on its poetic quality. Jimmy wanders the beach at night until dawn by which point the dancing has ended and the majority of mods are re-congregating at the beach front cafe for a quick egg sandwich and the days itinerary. It is here Jimmy reconnects and the day unfolds.
Heading for Brighton peer, with Jimmy in centrefield, the mods unite with their chants of glory not only atracting media glare but also the attention of their stylistic opposites, the rockers. A huge battle erupts and the beach is invaded by mods and rockers at war with each other with not even the sea being able to separate them. It is Jimmy's role in all of this that is the most significant. Having joined up with Steph, he becomes euphoric, reinacting the violence for her. " I was there". For Jimmy it in this moment that everything becomes crystalised. He is a mod, he is part of the action and now Steph is by his side.
This is further enhanced by the film's most famous scene when Jimmy and Steph enter an alleyway and have sex together.
It is when leaving the alleyway that Jimmy gets nabbed by the police and things start to go wrong. It is only when the Ace Face ( played by Sting) gets locked in the same van that things seem a little brighter. This does not last.
Upon returning home from court, Jimmy is confronted in a series of incidents that will lead to his undoing. Firstly by his mother who spots his picture in the paper, then by his pompous boss who tells him how grateful he should be for being allowed to peform menial tasks, and finnaly by Steph who has now deserted him for His so called best mate Dave (as played by Mark Wingett)All of this ending in personal destruction.
With no place to call home and no one to be with, Jimmy Returns to Brighton where for that short period everthing was golden.
The film now becomes truly poetic, by replacing dialogue for images, of beatiful wind swept Brighton beach, upon which Jimmy treks and wonders where it all went wrong. It is in these final scenes he makes his fatal discovery that will allow him to make his ultimate decision. Quadrophenia is a doccument of a time and place that for the most part no longer exists. The film plays an important role in allowing us to visit that place. In saying this I think the real relevance of the film lies in its exploration of youthful themes. Jimmy cooper is a complex character but he is no more comples than any person in search of a real identity or an ideal place. It is for this reason I think it Quadrophenia will be relevant to future generations, to Identify with and to enjoy. Afterall it is a wonderfully youthful cinematic composition. EXTRAS UPPERS; There are quite a few interesting things contained on this special edition of Quadrophenia.
The US trailer is good ( except for the dialogue)
An interwiew with Sting is also interesting ( Pity it wasn't Phil Daniels though)
The directors commentary and archival photo's were of real interest to me. Nice one.
Also the trip form London to Brighton was great fun as was the 'Are you a mod or a rocker quiz"
Finally the Restoration which on the whole was good though a little visually dark in certain places. DOWNERS: This is a big disappointment. Has anyone even noticed there are 4 sucessive scenes missing from the US print. Wake up.
The scenes in question take place from where Jimmy exits the cafe after talking to Kev through to the start of the party at Kitchener road. Consult your English or Australian standard edition, they are all present. I would assume this had something to do with the original US cinema print but for me this is the major upset for after all, 'I am one of the faces'. Reviewed by Michael Gillis.
Rating:
Summary: We are the Mods, we are the Mods!!!!!!!!!
Review: Motorbikes with multiple rear view mirrors and headlights, pills, snack bar hangouts, gang rumbles, and music by the Who. Quadrophenia, executive produced by the Who, with music produced by bassist John Entwistle, captures a slice of Britain in the 1960's. True, the strong accents may not be understandable to untrained American ears, but to an Anglophile such as myself, it was music to my ears. The interraction between Jimmy and his friends. He's really taken with Steph, a prize blonde in their circle who seems to be hanging around another Mod. However, he ignores Monkey, who's a nice enough girl, but who in his eyes pales when put aside Steph. Her reaction at his not noticing her is telling, as she seems to have a thing for him. He does okay around the others, such as Dave, Spider, and a black guy named Ferdy, who's the one to go to for buying blues, pills that is. Most curious is the way he sees Kevin, a friend of his who went in the army and left, only to become a Rocker. Jimmy's life as the post-room boy seems unrewarding. In fact he steals some cheesecake photos he was supposed to deliver and keeps them. Hmm, were those "pictures of Lily"? His late nights also cause consternation to his parents, and he answers them with equal vituperation. He is a typical enough boy, with ... pin-ups, newspaper clippings of Mods versus Rocker riots, and pictures of the Who on his bedroom wall. A telling scene about what the movie's thematically about comes during a conversation between Kevin and Jimmy. Kevin says he doesn't care one bit about the whole Mods and Rockers nonsense. Jimmy then says, "I don't want to be the same as everybody else. That's why I'm a Mod, see? I mean, you gotta be somebody, ain't ya? Or you might as well jump in the sea and drown." Yet there's the contradiction of being a Mod just to be somebody. Jimmy's father tells him to have a mind of his own instead of being in a gang. For Kevin, it seems to be just the difference in musical tastes, i.e. Gene Vincent versus The Kinks. Jimmy has nailed his Mod colours to the mast to the hilt. When Jimmy is watching The Who performing "Anyway, Anywhere, Anyhow" on Ready Steady Go, and turns up the volume on the tellie while jamming to it, his father tells him, "That'll make you deaf, you know", which is ironic given Pete Townshend's later hearing problems and the Who's notoriously high decibel concerts. Apart from Cathy McGowan's show, the non-Who music such as the Ronettes, Crystals, and the Kingsmen There are a few gang confrontations, ranging from jeering from motorbikes, down to fisticuffs. When Spider, a Mod, "gets a right kicking" from Rockers, that means reprisal time, and woe be to any Rockers hanging out. The climactic riot scene in the holiday seaside resort of Brighton on the Bank Holiday is the most memorable part of the movie. At first, it's almost like a convention or motorbike rally before things get nasty. While I don't condone the violence and property damage, this exciting scene plays a crucial part of 1960's Britain, very reminiscent of similar gang rumbles in the America in the 1950's. Second in memorability is the break-in at the chemist's to get some blues, and the frantic tension broken by moments of comedy works very well. And when everybody is jamming to "My Generation" at a party, the way the Mods get into the song is very high energy. Phil Daniels plays Jimmy as someone who wants to fit in, yet remain an individual, equally befuddled and disillusioned.
Many of the other leads, particularly the Mods, stand out as their vivid personalities capture the period detail, Leslie Ash as Steph, Mark Wingstad as Dave, Gary Shail as Spider, and in particular, Raymond Winstone as Kevin. Pop singer Toyah Willcox does well as Monkey. Despite having a small role as Ace, Sting's role is important in the Brighton scene. Hey, he even got to yank a cop off his horse and do some serious messing about. The Who's contribution to rock operas translated into movies should not be understated. Quadrophenia remains as it ever will be, a classic, nostalgic time capsule of a time sadly long gone. Love Reign O'er It!
Rating:
Summary: Love the Film, Hated the DVD.
Review: I have been waiting a long time for the release of a special edition version of this film, and must say that I have been let down by the final release. The film tells the story of a young mods life in 60's England. I love the film and have been a fan of it for a long time. The problem with this release is that it is not the complete film. There are scenes missing that are on on the original UK VHS version. The extras are bad, if you're expecting indepth stories and details about the film, you will like me be disappointed. They are made for an audience with no understanding of the medium it is trying to cover. This just makes it annoying. For a first time viewer, they will be just light, boring and very short entertainment. The interview with Sting has a lot of trouble finding anything that Sting said about the film. The scooter part is about 40 seconds long! The restored film has better colour than the VHS, but this is about the only good point. With missing scenes and bad extras this is not for anyone who likes the film and wants a DVD version of the film to keep. Why dosen't someone give this the release it deserves? Love the film hated the DVD.
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