Quadrophenia

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Quadrophenia

R

1979

1h 55m

Musical

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

17 Reviews

83%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

An angst-ridden London youth, Jimmy Cooper (Phil Daniels) escapes the drudgery of his postal job as a member of the Mods, a sharply dressed gang constantly at odds with their rivals, the Rockers. When the Mods and Rockers clash in the coastal town of Brighton, England, it leads to both trouble and an encounter with the lovely Steph (Leslie Ash). Returning to London, Jimmy, who aspires to be like Mod leader Ace Face (Sting), becomes even more disillusioned and longs to return to Brighton.

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Michael Ventura

L.A. Weekly

Excellent. The best movie I have ever seen about being young in the world tat rock 'n' roll sings to.

Sep 26, 2025

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Sarah Boslaugh

TheArtsStl

[Roddam and Trufano} make extensive use of deep focus and displayed a real expertise in directing and shooting crowded interiors like nightclubs and house parties...

Rated: 8/10

Mar 22, 2025

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

It’s not really a musical as much as a rough and ready drama inspired by the story suggested in the rock opera (though the Who’s music underscores the film quite nicely), and it has aged very well over the years.

Oct 6, 2023

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

It manages to be both quintessentially British and irrefutably universal.

Rated: 3.5/4

Apr 27, 2023

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Dick Nusser

Billboard

It is unabashedly a period piece, fashioned for the screen in the same straightforward, cinema verite style much in vogue among British filmmakers of the 1960s.

Mar 24, 2023

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Tom Cassidy

Common Sense Media

Quadrophenia is every bit as fun, occasionally ugly, and upsetting as the heady days of discovering early independence and finding a direction in life can be.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 25, 2021

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Graeme M

I'm Still Dancing ❤️

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/24/25

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JOHN B

Still as good today as it was first time round

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/24

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Unriveted M

This is an interesting where people with too much money got involved with the direction and production. Quality of content is relatively low, Actor and screen play is weak. Then add, tie in with music that is not really associated with the period movie takes place.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/27/23

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Marcus S

Unique, real and very entertaining

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/04/22

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Audience Member

The best film adaptation of a concept album (sorry, The Wall lovers).

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A decent enough piece from the period of mods v rockers and the Brighton pitched battles. About one mod's decent into nihilistic rage. There's definitely a lot of pent up rage amongst an impressive cast of future stars of British cinema. Worth a watch and worthy of its notoriety in British culture.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

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Franc Roddam

Director

Phil Daniels

Jimmy

Mark Wingett

Dave

Philip Davis

Chalky

Leslie Ash

Steph

Garry Cooper

Pete

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Synopsis

An angst-ridden London youth, Jimmy Cooper (Phil Daniels) escapes the drudgery of his postal job as a member of the Mods, a sharply dressed gang constantly at odds with their rivals, the Rockers. When the Mods and Rockers clash in the coastal town of Brighton, England, it leads to both trouble and an encounter with the lovely Steph (Leslie Ash). Returning to London, Jimmy, who aspires to be like Mod leader Ace Face (Sting), becomes even more disillusioned and longs to return to Brighton.

Director: Franc Roddam
Producer: Roy Baird, Bill Curbishley
Screenwriter: Dave Humphries, Franc Roddam, Martin Stellman
Distributor: World Northal, Rhino Entertainment Company [us]
Production Co: Polytel, The Who Films
Rating: R
Genre: Musical, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 2, 1979, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 23, 2017
Runtime: 1h 55m
Sound Mix: Dolby, Surround

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