Rating: R
Starring:
Tim Curry as Dr. Frank-N-Furter – A Scientist
Susan Sarandon as Janet Weiss – A Heroine
Barry Bostwick as Brad Majors – A Hero
Richard O’Brien as Riff Raff – A Handyman
Patricia Quinn as Magenta – A Domestic
Nell Campbell as Columbia – A Groupie
Jonathan Adams as Dr. Everett V. Scott – A Rival Scientist
Peter Hinwood as Rocky Horror – A Creation
Meat Loaf as Eddie – Ex Delivery Boy
Charles Gray as The Criminologist – An Expert
Jeremy Newson as Ralph Hapschatt
Hilary Labow as Betty Munroe Hapschatt
Directed by Jim Sharman
Special Features:
The Midnight Experience
Rocky-Oke: Sing It
Search For The 35th Anniversary Shadowcast
Mick Rock
Mick Rock’s Picture Show
Pressbook And Poster Gallery
Audio Commentary By Richard O’Brien And Patricia Quinn
Deleted Musical Scenes And Outtakes
Alterante B&W Opening
Alternate Credit Ending And Misprint Ending
Rocky Horror Double Feature Video Show
Beacon Theater, New York City
Time Warp Music Video…And More!
Other Info:
Widescreen (1.66:1)
DTS-HD MA 7.1
Spanish and French Subtitles
Running Time: 100 Minutes
The Details:
The following is the official description of the film:
“Relive Richard O’Brien’s sinfully twisted salute to horror, sci-fi, B-movies and rock music – starring Tim Curry (in his classic gender-bending performance), Barry Bostwick, and Oscar-winner Susan Sarandon. Do the “Time Warp” and sing “Hot Patootie” with Meatloaf again…and again…and again. Pull up a slab and let the madness begin!”
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show (35th Anniversary)” is rated R.
Mini-Review:
Back in the late 80’s, I rented “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” on VHS. I had never seen it before and wanted to see what all the hype was about. I watched it and was impressed at first. I liked the parodies of 50’s B-movies, I liked the cast, and I liked the music. But as the film progressed, I got more and more bored with it. I also felt the story made less and less sense as it went on. Near the end, I was counting the minutes until it was over. When it finished, I concluded that you really had to watch it in a theater with a large participating audience in order to enjoy it. Watching it at home alone wasn’t the way to do it.
With this 35th Anniversary Blu-ray, they have addressed that somewhat. They included in the bonus features “The Midnight Experience.” When this is turned on, you can watch the movie with a picture-in-picture show in the lower corner. In this, they took the best ‘shadowcast’ performers from around the world and have them act out the movie in ‘live action’ as it plays out on the screen next to them. You can also turn on the dialogue that theater audiences shout at the screen. Rounding out the experience is an animated box full of props to throw at the screen at the appropriate cues. The end result is a home theater experience that’s as close to the live theater experience as you’ll ever get. This is significantly more entertaining than the movie by itself and with this turned on you start to see the appeal of it all. I’m not real inclined to go to the theater and see this, but I at least understand why people like to do it now.
This ‘shadowcast’ is the centerpiece of the Blu-ray besides the movie itself. Also included is “The Search for the 35th Anniversary Shadowcast.” It shows people from around the world trying out for the various roles. It’s fun to see the variety of performers and the unique takes they have on the characters. It is followed by “An-tic-i-pation” which shows them actually selecting the final ‘shadowcast’ performers. Barry Bostwick helps choose them and he’s actually quite picky about who gets the roles. The end result is a great documentary that probably could have made a fun reality TV series if they had put it on the air. Also included is a brief featurette on Mick Rock, the photographer that took pictures on the set. And for completion’s sake, they include many of the previously-released bonus features like the audio commentary, deleted scenes, alternate endings, and more. The only thing missing is a ‘making of’ documentary with Tim Curry and Susan Sarandon. Why don’t they have this?
If you’re a “Rocky Horror” fan then this is the definitive edition you’ll want to get. The HD picture and 7.1 DTS-HD audio are fantastic and the bonus features make the experience even more fun. But be warned…if you’ve never seen it before, I recommend you watch it with a crowd.
