A ‘Screen Gems’ review of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975, 5*, 12A).
Ronnie Clements runs the excellent Screen Gems Movie site on Facebook, live from down under (well, done under for us from the UK!) He recently pointed out that we’ve just passed, on August 14th, the 50th Anniversary of the release of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and asked me to post his review of the film… which I’m glad to do. Please give it a read and give me any feedback. Thanks, Dr Bob.
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On 14 August, 1975 (50 years ago), The Rocky Horror Picture Show opened at the Rialto Theatre in London. Rocky is still the longest running movie in theatrical history and the biggest cult movie of all time! I doubt if any other film will ever “usurp” it.
[And whatever you do, forget the 2016 made-for-TV remake. It’s a pale imitation, woefully flat and best left in the vault or preferably down the pooper!]
Ronnie @ Screen Gems Rating:
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” Plot:
Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon), two squeaky-clean newlyweds, find themselves stranded on a stormy night. Seeking help, they stumble into the gothic lair of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a self-proclaimed “sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania”, and his bizarre entourage. What follows is a wild descent into seduction, science and spectacle as Frank unveils his latest creation: the perfect man, built for pleasure.
Certification:
UK: 12A; US: R (From the BBFC web site: ‘Moderate sex references, violence, brief nudity, infrequent strong language’.) Another interesting deviation in views between the rating in the UK and the US!
Talent:
Starring: Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Richard O’Brien, Patricia Quinn, Nell Campbell, Jonathan Adams, Peter Hinwood, Meat Loaf, Charles Gray.
Directed by: Jim Sharman.
Written by: Jim Sharman & Richard O’Brien. (Based on the Stage Musical by Richard O’Brien).
Running Time: 1h 40m.
Review of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show“:
Electric memories.
Two of the most unforgettable Saturday afternoons of my life were spent watching live matinee performances of The Rocky Horror Show; years apart, yet equally electric. While the film adaptation, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”, has rightly earned its cult status, nothing compares to the raw energy of the stage. Still, the movie captures the essence and outrageous brilliance of the original, preserving it for eternity.
As a screen adaptation of musical theatre, Rocky stands alone. There’s truly nothing else like it. The score is wildly eclectic, veering from tender ballads to glam rock anthems, and yet not a single dud among them. It’s a sonic rollercoaster that defies genre and expectation.
A campy, chaotic story.
The plot? A delicious mash-up of horror and sci-fi tropes, with a heavy nod to Frankenstein. But what emerges is something wholly original: a campy, chaotic celebration of identity, desire and rebellion.
Written by Richard O’Brien, The Rocky Horror Show premiered at London’s Royal Court Theatre Upstairs on June 19, 1973. The original cast: Tim Curry (Frank-N-Furter), Richard O’Brien (Riff Raff), Patricia Quinn (Magenta), and Nell Campbell (Columbia), all reprise their roles in the film, bringing their eccentric brilliance to the screen.
Does the plot make sense? Not really. But that’s beside the point. It’s pure fantasy, a glitter-drenched fever-dream, powered by a magnificent score and unapologetic theatricality.
The flop turned good.
The stage show holds the record as the longest-running theatrical production in history and it’s still performed around the world. The film, after flopping on its initial release, found new life through midnight screenings in the mid-70s. Word of mouth turned it into a phenomenon.
Since 1975, it’s been shown continuously in cinemas — the longest theatrical run ever. Every Friday or Saturday night, somewhere in the world, fans gather in costume, props in hand, ready to shout, sing and surrender to the madness. I’ve never attended a midnight screening myself, but I’m told it’s a surreal, unforgettable experience.
The Cast.
Tim Curry was born to play Frank-N-Furter. His performance is iconic, seductive, menacing and utterly magnetic. The rest of the cast delivers with equal flair. The film’s comic book aesthetic (garish lighting, bold colours, exaggerated performances) only heightens its surreal charm.
Themes Beneath the Fishnets …
At its heart, Rocky Horror is a battle between conservatism and counterculture. And, as in life, the establishment unfortunately wins! Frank-N-Furter and Rocky are killed … but … Brad and Janet return to their “normal”, mundane lives. However, the film leaves us questioning what “normal” really means and whether conformity is truly a happy ending!
Summary Thoughts on “The Rocky Horror Picture Show“
So, that’s Ronnie’s review: he’s clearly a fan boy!
Ronnie has also promoted a new documentary feature about the legacy of the Rocky Horror Show, directed by Linus, the son of Richard O’ Brien. You can see this on the Screen Gems Facebook site here, which includes clips on Youtube to extracts from the documentary.
Where to Watch it (Powered by Justwatch)
Trailer for “The Rocky Horror Picture Show“:
The trailer is here: http://youtu.be/4plqh6obZW4.
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