TCM Spotlight: The History of Rock on Film: ‘The 1970s’
TCM, Beginning at 7 p.m.
Get ready to rock again when Turner Classic Movies presents its latest lineup of notable films accompanied by soundtracks of popular musical genres from various decades. Tonight, it’s back to the ’70s, beginning with Tommy (1975). Writer/director Ken Russell’s fantasy drama based on The Who’s classic rock opera of the same name stars the band members, including lead singer Roger Daltrey in the title role, along with Best Actress Oscar nominee Ann-Margret, Oliver Reed, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Elton John and Jack Nicholson. After that is Sid and Nancy (1986), which chronicles the destructive relationship between Sid Vicious (Gary Oldman), bass player for punk band the Sex Pistols, and Nancy Spungen (Chloe Webb), the drug-addicted groupie who became his girlfriend in 1977. Next is The Harder They Come (pictured) (1972), a Jamaican crime film starring reggae star Jimmy Cliff; the film’s famous reggae soundtrack was influential in spreading the popularity of that musical genre. Moving through late night and into tomorrow morning, the lineup finishes with Performance (1970), a British crime drama co-starring Rolling Stones legend Mick Jagger as a reclusive rock star; Jubilee (1978), a cult film inspired by the punk aesthetic of its era in which Queen Elizabeth I (Jenny Runacre) is transported to the film’s present day; and ABBA: The Movie (1977), a mockumentary comedy/drama that follows the famed Swedish pop group (playing themselves) on their Australian concert tour and includes hits like “Dancing Queen,” “Fernando” and “Waterloo.”