The Rocky Horror Picture (SteelBooK)

"The Rocky Horror Picture Show" is an unforgettable contemporary musical that has become a solid cult classic. It tells the story of Janet (Sarandon) and Brad (Bostwick), who become stranded and seek shelter in a gothic mansion full of kinky characters, including the transvestite scientist Dr. Frank N. Furter (Curry). Famous for its midnight screenings, The Rocky Horror Picture Show inspired loyal fans to memorize the script, dress as their favorite characters, sing along with the songs, and bring props like squirt guns, toilet paper, and rice. (Laurie Sevano)

Special features include Trivia Track: 50 Years And Still Kicking, Vintage Callback Track (Unrated), commentary by Richard O'Brien and Patricia Quinn, Rocky-Oke: Sing It! (52:00). The Blu-ray has the alternate version with B&W opening as a bonus feature, deleted song: "Once In A While" (HD 03:08), outtakes (HD 10:02), alternate credit ending, imprint ending, "Rocky Horror Double Feature Video Show (1995) (HD (36:25), "The Time Warp" music video (15th Anniversary VHS release) (HD 04:35), Beacon Theater, New York City (10th Anniversary) (SD 05:20), trailers, Rocky-Oke: Sing It! (HD 51:47) and a Movies Anywhere digital code.

The 1.66:1 HEVC/H.265 Ultra HD Dolby Vision/HDR10 picture, reviewed on a VIZIO Quantum X P85QX-JI UHD/HDR display, was photographed on 35 mm Eastman film using the Cinema Products XR35 camera system and sourced from a 4K master Digital Intermediate format. Overseen by the Walt Disney Studios Restoration team, the 10-month project included a meticulous digital scan and preservation process that ensures every frame of the cult classic is presented with unprecedented clarity and vibrancy. The picture is framed in the original British-favored 1.66:1 aspect ratio. Though apparent, film grain is never overly perceived. The imagery is cinematic, with a warm, rich appearance that is a real treat for the eyes. The picture exhibits bold, vivid colors that are strongly saturated in hue. Flesh tones and complexions are perfectly rendered. The color palette is so striking and appealing that it soaks up all one's attention. HDR contrast is excellent, with deep, solid blacks, revealing shadow delineation and brilliant white levels.. Resolution is excellent, with details sharply focused, especially during close-ups. The picture exhibits vivid details from the extravagant costumes to the gloss on Tim Curry's lips. This is without question, the best that this classic has ever looked and is sure to please fans. So for Halloween dress up as your favorite character and throw a decadent party with "Rocky Horror Picture Show" as the main attraction! It will be a lot of fun! (Gary Reber)

The restoration also features a newly mixed repurposed Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel soundtrack, bringing enhanced depth and dimension to the film’s iconic monaural soundtrack. Disney also provides a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1-channel soundtrack on the 1080p Blu-ray disc. For purists and longtime fans, the original monaural audio has been fully restored as well and presented on the Blu-ray Disc, allowing audiences to experience the film exactly as it was heard when it first premiered five decades ago. The Dolby Atmos soundtrack features the familiar, engaging musical numbers, with the soundstage balanced toward the screen, with strong dimensional extension to the surrounds during the music numbers. At times, there are some fun sound effects presented with discrete channelization, notably some of the weather effects. The listening space is amply energized for the music, with some low-end enhancement, partially from the .1 LFE channel. The sound is nicely defined, and fidelity is remarkably good for such a dated film. The music steals the show and the added surround emphasis is welcomed and appreciated for the enhanced dimensionality it contributes. The music is straight ahead good old rock 'n' roll, with a solid beat that will have you dancing in your seat. The bass is greatly enhanced by the effective use of the .1 LFE channel, which is present throughout. Instrumental imaging is discretely channeled and adds effective envelopment to the musical numbers. Dialogue remains positioned in the center channel but supported with low-level front channel integration, to provide generally good spatial integration.

The Immersive Sound element consists of the extension of portions of the instrumental music accompanying the singing to the height layer, some nuanced dialogue, occasional sound effects and brief rain. Far more treatment could have been achieved to enhance dimensionality.

This is a wonderfully energized holosonic® soundtrack that is exciting and emotionally engaging musically. (Gary Reber)