Comments on: Blu Review: The Rocky Horror Picture Show 35th Anniversary Bluray

By: Alison

Alison — Mon, 02 May 2011 23:32:32 +0000

I don’t see any difference either. I’ll stick with the DVD version. We saw the Blu-Ray release on my brother’s 100 inch HD TV set, and to be honest there’s no difference. The DVD colours are absolutely stunning and are in no need of improvement. Just another excuse for milking money from the public and I’m not going to fall for it.

By: Richard M

Richard M — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:38:53 +0000

I am going to buy this Blu-ray this weekend. Maybe Rodney doesn’t have the 7.1 surround system set up in his home? Either way, it is on my list for sure. Also just watched The Glee episode. It was great except for the short/fat/black chick playing Frankfurter. She ruined the whole thing.

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 18:15:00 +0000

I agree the video looks great in the beginning of the film, but I noticed it began to degrade somewhat by the end. Similarly, the 7.1 audio was brethtaking at first but somehow they used a discarded take for Janet’s vocals during Over at the Frankenstein Place. Some are calling it off key, I wouldn’t go that far but it’s definitely different from the original release.

By: Marc

Marc — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 04:35:21 +0000

I don’t know what you are watching on or maybe you have a 720p set but this blu-ray is fantastic. You can tell right away the work that was put into this. I mean the reds in the opening credits are the most crisp I have ever seen them and there is no bleed at all. I had my vhs version, the dvd, then the anniversary dvd andnow the blu-ray. I can tell everyone it is wrth evry single penny and you will be so amazed at how a good a film from 1975 looks.

By: Rodney

Rodney — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:49:50 +0000

In reply to Carlos. If they put any effort into the restorative efforts on this film, I don't see them. On my bluray copy I see no difference from the DVD. Rocky Horror Picture Show has never looked any different since DVD. And as you can see in the trailer I posted with this review, the audio is a completely different track than used in the original film. The "charm of the mono mix" was also the audio feed of live performances. The studio/stereo mixes used in subsequent releases is improved here in the Bluray version.

By: Carlos

Carlos — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 18:14:39 +0000

Rodney, this is a very misleading review. First of all the film was COMPLETELY REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE!!! Your review suggests that the original DVD version was just ported over or that no new restortative work as done on the film for this blu ray release: NOT SO. I don’t know what blu ray version of ROCKY HORROR you were reviewing but it sure ain’t the one I just picked at my local Best Buy today. ROCKY HORROR has NEVER looked better! This is a completely new remaster that renders all previous editions of the film OBSOLETE! Fans of this film will not be disappointed.

As for the sound, that was completely re-done as well in 7.1 DOLBY TRUE HD MASTER AUDIO which is quite different from the mix that was used on the previous 25th Anniversary release, or any other release for that matter. Although this re-mastering has it’s pluses it also has it’s minuses. Some special effects and audio nuances are eliminated in the 7.1 mix. For instance, in the original mono mix during the”Time Warp” sequence when Janet faints she lets out an audible gasp, the gasp is clearly absent in the 7.1 mix.

In addition the vocals on the new 7.1 mix were NOT taken from the original soundtrack release. Previous editions of ROCKY HORROR featured stereo/surround mixes taken from these sessions and the results were mixed at best as some vocal phrasing differed from the movie playback versions, this caused some syncing to be “off” most noticeably in the “Floor Show” sequence.

Yes, you get a wider dynamic range with the 7.1 mix and while it is impressive in my opinion it still doesn’t have the charm of the original mono mix.