Fans of The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be ready to do the time warp again with the newly restored film.
The beloved cult-classic movie has been newly restored and remastered in 4K Ultra HD to mark the 50th anniversary of its initial release. The 10-month project was overseen by the Walt Disney Studios Restoration team ahead of theatrical events and a Blu-ray release to be announced later in the year, with the version set to include a new anniversary logo for the film.
This restoration of The Rocky Horror Picture Show involved a digital scan and preservation process to ensure the clarity of each frame. Additionally, the version includes a newly mixed Dolby Atmos audio track, with the original mono audio also being fully restored for fans who want to hear the classic soundtrack as it originally premiered upon its domestic release on Sept. 25, 1975.
“It’s a privilege to help preserve the legacy of a film that has meant so much to so many,” says Walt Disney Studios director of restoration and library management Kevin Schaeffer. “Bringing The Rocky Horror Picture Show to life in 4K allows us to honor its bold, genre-defying spirit and ensure that audiences — both longtime fans and first-time viewers — can experience it as it was originally intended, with stunning picture and sound.”
Adds the film’s producer Lou Adler, “When The Rocky Horror Picture Show was first released, no one thought it would be around very long let alone … 50 years. What began as a small, rebellious project has become a global celebration of individuality, community and creative freedom. This anniversary is a tribute to the fans who kept it alive and kicking all these years.”
Future announcements are planned for anniversary celebrations for The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which continues to play during weekly screenings across the globe. Adapting playwright Richard O’Brien’s stage musical of the same name, director Jim Sharman’s movie stars Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon as a newly engaged couple who seek shelter at the mysterious castle belonging to Dr. Frank-N-Furter, as played by Tim Curry.
