Set in 1964 England, the country is populated by warring groups of teenagers known as the “Mods”—a subculture distinguished by their tailored suits and their decked out motor scooters and the Rockers—the Mods leather-clad, motorcycle-riding rivals. Seventeen-year-old Jimmy Cooper (Phil Daniels) lives with his loving but baffled parents and works in a mailroom at an advertising agency. He lives for the hours he can hang out with his buddies the Mods, riding his scooter, popping “blues” (the pre-‘ludes tranquilizer of choice) and fraternizing.
When asked to describe it, I’ve often referred to Quadrophenia as the British Rebel Without A Cause. Quadrophenia Director Franc Roddam manages to make Jimmy a sympathetic character, as he seeks the closeness of the Mods group structure, all the while starting fights with those on the outside. However, unlike James Dean’s character in Rebel Without A Cause, Jimmy doesn’t seem alert to the fact that is life is slowly falling apart.
As far as girls go, Jimmy is single and not particularly interested in a real relationship. He likes Steph (Leslie Ash) but is too busy fantasizing about the annual clash with the rockers to do anything about it. This year’s gathering will be in Brighton during an upcoming bank holiday. Jimmy is excited; this year, Mods will outnumber the Rockers and be able to kick some ass. Even so, Jimmy’s encounters with Kevin (Ray Winstone), his childhood-friend-turned-rocker-rival, expose the hypocrisy in Jimmy’s attempts to set himself apart as an individual with a mind of his own.
The leader of the Mods is Ace Face (Sting), a handsome lad, brimming with confidence (Sting), who is always surrounded by gorgeous girls. To Jimmy and the rest of his admirers, Ace has lots of style and is always real, unlike the bosses and co-workers they deal with in their everyday lives.
Finally, the big day arrives and everyone heads to Brighton. The much anticipated clash between the Mods and Rockers takes place on the beach. The Mods end up seriously hurting some of their rivals and force others to run away. By the time police arrive on the scene, half the city is covered with blood and shattered glass. Impressed by his uncontrollable rage, Steph allows Jimmy to make love to her while the police are rounding up their friends. After they leave their hiding place, Jimmy is also arrested.
The first film for director Franc Roddam, Quadrophenia transcends time and place to present a difficult and touching portrait of teen angst. There are moments of victory—such as when Jimmy tells off his boss in the course of quitting his job after his arrest—and moments of utter heartbreak as Jimmy sees his idol Jimmy at a Brighton hotel; employed as an ordinary, subservient bellboy.
The cast is perfect. Phil Daniels is the undeniable star of the film. Bursting with hormone enhanced energy, his anger is palpable throughout. A very young and skinny Ray Winstone makes his presence felt as well. Sting, too, though his part is relatively small, makes his screen time count. Let’s put it this way: the guy has star quality and he knows it. Leslie Ash does a beautiful job as the embodiment of everything the teen boys want, while achieving her own motives.
Presented in its theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1, Criterion’s 1080p transfer is a strong with a clear picture. Flesh tones look fairly natural and color saturation levels are nicely maintained. Black levels are solid throughout.
There are two audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English LPCM 2.0. Both mixes have their advantages but fans of The Who should definitely give the new mix a spin. Instrumentation has been mixed in a manner that really takes advantage of the entire soundfield. Dialogue has been well recorded (though ADR occasionally crops ups) and is in the center channel. Ambient effects aren’t as prevalent as one would find in a soundtrack recorded today.
English SDH subtitles are available.
The following special features are included:
- Audio Commentary with director Franc Roddam and cinematographer Brian Tufano: newly recorded, the two discuss the various obstacles the filmmakers faced during production, casting, locations and some of the important social isssues of the 1960s that the film addresses.
- Talking Pictures (SD, 26:06) From the BBC series Talking Pictures originally aired on September 7, 1979, just before the release of Quadrophenia in the United Kingdom. It includes interviews with ith director Franc Roddam, the Who’s Roger Daltrey and Sting.
- Mods and Rockers
- Sept jours du monde (SD, 8:19) A 1964 segment from a French television program Sept jours du monde. Journalist Jacques Ertaud explains what separates the Mods from the Rockers.
- Seize millions de jeunes: “Mods” (SD, 34:30) A 1965 segment from a French television program Seize millions de jeunes Jean Lajournade and Alain de Sedouy take a look at the mod movement in the United Kingdom. This episode includes a performance by the Who at the Marquee Club in London’s West End, as well as an interview with Pete Townshend.
- Bill Curbishley Interview (HD, 13:42) Quadrophenia producer Bill Curbishley discusses how the film came to be, audience reaction in the U.K. and elsewhere and the tension between Mods and Rockers in the 1960’s. Curbishley has managed The Who since 1976.
- Bob Pridden Interview (7:42) The Who’s sound engineer discusses the new 5.1 surround mix. A restoration demonstration is also included.
- Trailers (HD) Two original trailers for Quadrophenia.
- Booklet: 36-page illustrated booklet featuring “Jimmy vs. World” by Howard Hampton, “History” by Irish Jack, and “Quadrophenia: Liner Notes from the Album” (the story was written by Pete Townshend and appeared as the liner notes for the Who’s 1973 double album Quadrophenia).
