I have this on VHS, and it is one of my all time guilty pleasures. It has a great cast, a catchy music score and unforgettable satire on monster movies, like Frankenstein. If you haven't seen it already, give yourself a treat! I will warn you though, it is extremely silly at times, but that is all part of the fun. And I seriously don't care whether it's poorly made or not and I don't think so personally, all that matters is that it's entertaining, and that is what exactly RHPS is. The cast is wonderful. Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick do a great job as Brad and Janet, although I didn't know they could sing, which really surprised me. Richard O'Brien is solid as Riff Raff and he also wrote the songs. Also solid are Patricia Quinn and Peter Hinwood. The best performance, however, comes from Hollywood's most underrated actor, Tim Curry, who I must say looks hot in fishnets and heels. He has a great singing voice, that is always overlooked. FrankNFurter is a landmark performance, but Tim Curry has also done other great films such as Clue, Legend,Muppets Treasure Island, Blue Money and It. (which has his career-best performance by a mile.) Voiceovers include Captain Hook, Slagar, Hexxus, Drake, Forte, Von Talon and the Mouse King. The songs are so catchy, especially "Time Warp" and "Sweet transvestite" that I actually wanted to dance to the music, but I am a novice at dancing. The complaint about this movie, which is undoubtedly the best cult movie ever, no matter how many times it's been imitated, is the song "Science fiction" which is not in the same league as the more uplifting songs. Still I am happy, and lets do the time warp again! 9.5/10. Bethany Cox.
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TheLittleSongbird6 February 2009
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kleiner_fuchs25 August 2007I admit I'm too lazy to read through all the reviews here and see if I'm the only one who loves this classic not only for its music, its cast and costumes, or its insane collection of cinematic references. Just in case I'm the only one, I post this comment to perhaps give you a new view to this wonderful film.
Under all its noise and gaudiness, I think the RHPS is profound, touching and tragic.
A German critic (sympathetic to the film) called it "utterly immoral". This is ridiculous, as the RHPS is one of the most deeply moral films of all times.
Why do Brad and Janet let themselves so easily be seduced by Frank N'Furter? Because they never spent a thought on the rules they want to live by. They think, you don't have sex before marriage because that's just the way how decent people should live. Obviously no one has told them that there could be a real understandable REASON for living this way. They have no clue. Trying to live by a moral without understanding the foundation of this moral must lead to tragedy.
Frank N'Furter is a fascinating figure, one of the most memorable villains in cinematic history. There can be no doubt that what he does, to Brad, to Janet, to Rocky, to Eddie, is not only rude, but evil. Not before the "Floor Show" at the end we get a glimpse at the human core in this monster. There he sings about how he wanted to be dressed like Fay Wray when he saw her in "King Kong". I suspect that he not only wanted to be dressed like her, he wanted to BE her -- a longing that could not be fulfilled. Wearing women's clothes tragically didn't made him an angelic figure like Fay Wray, it made him a freak. And it seems to me that all he wanted in the first place was to be loved and be accepted for what he was. When he sings "I'm going home" and imagines an audience, this audience doesn't consist of weirdos like the Transsylvanians who are present when Frank is introduced into the film. Instead they are ordinary old people who friendly applaud his performance. Frank makes you think about how unfulfillable desires can torture people and make them outsiders. I don't think Frank wanted to be an outsider.
For me, the most beautiful scene is when they sing "Don't dream it, be it" in the pool. The other four people in the pool are dressed like Frank; there are no boundaries any more, no distinction between the sexes, no gravity. This is pure bliss, the single truly utopian moment of the RHPS. Makes you want to believe that it could really be possible to be in love with the whole world, caress and be caressed back, without jealousy and pain, beyond time and space, beyond good and evil. Not even Dr. Scott can resist (great performance in his monologue, magnificent actor!).
But is this more than a dream? Could it be real? The scene could go on for ever, I wish it would, but it is short and is abruptly ended by Frank himself when he jumps out of the water and starts singing "Wild and untamed thing". Why? Doesn't he trust his own utopia? Earlier in the film, we have seen how Janet imagines different people replacing the face of her lover, Rocky, during her orgasm. This is basically the same utopia, but here the way it is presented doesn't make it look very tempting, but bizarre and disturbing. I suspect this scene is closer to our reality outside of the cinema, outside of our dreams: When you love with your body but not with your soul all you can hope for is a moment of frantic pleasure, but no real fulfillment.
The ending of the RHPS cannot be mistaken in its moral. Brad and Janet spell it out when they sing the sad last song "Super Heroes". What is left for them from the big party? Nothing but pain and disillusion. They have not been loved, they have been used, and now they are scarred for life. This is not a happy ending.
The epilogue by the narrator is very pessimistic. But are we really "insects", crawling on this earth, without hope, without meaning? I don't think so. We could decide to live a different life. A life without deliberately or thoughtlessly hurting other people. Respecting and accepting other people for what they are. Living not by an empty moral, but by a real one, with love and compassion. -
Dominic_25_13 October 2022Some movies are just meant to be felt.
The status of this film as a beacon for sexual identity and deviancy speaks for itself. I am glad this film exists and exudes charisma for the sexually repressed to feel seen.
Other than that I really like how much this film loves other films. It's countless references and homages to previous horror films and studios are neat.
As with many musicals that have roots to stage production, you get the feeling that a little bit of magic is lost by just watching this on a TV at home and not experiencing the production of it.
Really glad I got around to watching this cult classic. I now understand why this film is so iconic. -
didi-519 October 2003Moving on from the riotous cult stage show which was born in a small studio theatre in the early 70s, this movie version is a well-cast, outrageous romp showcasing the absurdity and sci-fi obsession of Richard O'Brien's inventive musical.
The small cast - the wonderful Tim Curry as Frank 'n Furter (the sweet transvestite from transsexual Transylvania'); Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon as the odd science students Brad and Janet; Patricia Quinn as Magenta ('a domestic'); Little Nell as Columbia ('a groupie'), Jonathan Adams as Dr Scott; Meat Loaf as Eddie; Richard O'Brien himself as the handyman Riff Raff; Peter Hinwood as the muscle man Rocky, created by Frank in a spoof on Frankenstein; and Charles Gray having a great time as the Criminologist - are all really good, and the songs are terrific, from the madness of 'The Timewarp' and 'Sweet Transvestite', to the ethereal 'There's a Light' and 'I'm Going Home', by way of the rocky 'Whatever Happened To Saturday Night?' and the film-reference heavy 'Science Fiction Double Feature'.
Great, great fun and the floor show sequence in particular, showcasing Frank's obsession with Fay Wray and the RKO cheapies, is exceptional, with its statues in basques and its huge swimming pool. Trash, yes, but classy trash, and most enjoyable. -
lee_eisenberg23 September 2005Well, everybody knows that "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" is probably the ultimate cult classic; at this point, "RHPS" isn't even really a cult movie anymore, due to its prominence. The plot (or whatever it is) of course has Janet Weiss (Susan Sarandon) and Brad Majors (Barry Bostwick) going to a castle run by the bizarre Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), a "transvestite from transsexual Transylvania". Mostly, the movie seems like a big excuse to be weird, and they do just that to great effect. And who ever would have guessed that Susan Sarandon, now known for serious roles, could do such a cool job singing? So, was "RHPS" trying to tell us anything? Who cares? It's just so neat that you just have to sit back and enjoy. And enjoy you will, even if you think that nothing good came out of the '70s (I, for one, don't hold that opinion).
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Xstal26 October 2020Dissect, disassemble and reassemble to your hearts content, conjure any number of meanings and misinterpretations, then rewind, warp back in time, remove head from derriere and wallow in this absolute pleasure again and again and again.
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namashi_127 September 2017Based on the 1973 musical stage production of the same title, 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' is mighty winner from the 1970's. A Cult-Classic in its way own right, this musical screwball comedy horror flick, is a blast that left me overjoyed. And how great is Tim Curry here?
'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' Synopsis: A newly engaged couple (Susan Sarandon & Barry Bostwick) have a breakdown in an isolated area and must pay a call to the bizarre residence of an eccentric scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry).
Bizarre, Creepy, Funny & Melidious, 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' proves to be a highly engrossing experience. This is a film that has its own world & a world, that's rare to find in movies today. it ranges from being spooky to funny to plain absurd. And yet it works. Hugely.
Richard O'Brien & Jim Sharman's Adapted Screenplay is strong. And the entire addition of Music, makes it all the more special & effective. Jim Sharman's Direction is remarkable. He has Directed this strangely engaging story with unmistakable honesty & a vision that's hard not to envy. Peter Suschitzky's Cinematography captures the madness with perfection. Graeme Clifford's Editing is superbly done. Art & Costume Design are fantastic. Make-Up & Graphics deserve a special mention. And the choreography of the dance-numbers is brilliant.
Performance-Wise: Tim Curry steals the show. As the eccentric transvestite scientist, Curry is a joy to watch. He literally steals every scene he appears in & its impossible to look anywhere else but him where's on screen. Truly a magnificent performance that deserved some awards back then! Susan Sarandon, at her prettiest, is wonderful as the leading-lady. Barry Bostwick as the leading-man, is nicely goofy in his part. Richard O'Brien is fantastic as the handyman. Patricia Quinn is first-rate & adds to the madness. The Late/Great Jonathan Adam is superb as the rival scientist. Peter Hinwood is impressive as Rocky Horror, a creation of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. And The Late/Great Charles Gray is pitch-perfect as the narrator.
On the whole, 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' is worth all the hype & hoopla around it. Even 4 decades later, this story holds tremendous appeal. Don't Miss It. -
nick-9618 October 1998As an 18 y/o stranded in a small, bible belt town in the sticks of Missouri, I would drive 120 miles every two weeks to St. Louis to the Varsity Theater to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show during the early 80's. For me, it was a chance to live, to breathe free, as anything went; there was no need to conform to any narrow minded conventions, as I felt I had to survive at home. The first time I witnessed Tim Curry flinging open his cape, proudly proclaiming "I'm just a sweet transvestite, from Transsexual Transylvania," I knew I'd found a place to be myself. Even now, some 18 years later, that sight still gives me a thrill. Sure, the plot is ridiculous (on second thought, it had more to offer than 80 percent of the crap coming out of Hollywood then and now) and it is loaded with technical flaws. Still, I consider it the greatest film of all time. How many films draw a crowd of regulars weekly, create a sense of community, especially for people who, more than likely, felt as if they were not a part of any community, as I felt? Over the years, I've seen the film 64 times, and when I'm 80 I plan on getting up on my arthritic legs and doing the "Time Warp."
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Coventry25 December 2005It's fairly easy to see why "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" became such a huge cult-favorite so quickly... So huge even that the fans went to screenings all dressed up like drag-queens, singing along with the songs and waving around cigarette lighters. "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" simply is a tremendously inspiring movie and it's almost impossible not to start swinging yourself when the legendary songs such as "The Time Warp" and "Touch Me" are being sung by the vivid cast. The screenplay is adapted from Richard O'Brien (who also co-stars) play and it still comes across as very wit and all-knowing in its humor. There's spoofing and referring to everything from Universal and RKO-Pictures horror movies over typically 50's science-fiction to Hammer horror and the filming locations & set pieces are leftovers from other classic genre titles. The story is ridiculously simple and merely just introduces a young couple whose car breaks down near a ominous dark castle. When they go there for help, they're sucked into the eccentric world of transvestite Dr. Frank 'N Furter and his bizarre collection of servants and friends. The frenzied doctor created himself a muscled and blond-haired toy-boy and he's in the middle of presenting his creation when Brad and Janet (a great early role for Susan Sarandon) stumble in. The lines and song lyrics are often hilarious and far from politically correct and the lingerie costumes are quite nifty. All the acting performances are terrific but immensely divergent, since Tim Curry's Frank 'N Furter is extremely grotesque whereas Charles Gray's narrating character is straight-faced.
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mercuryix-114 September 2005Or I should say, the Sweet Transvestite of all cult films!
To those who haven't seen Rocky Horror, don't bother reading reviews about it. It won't mean anything. Don't rent it on DVD which it recently came out on. It also won't mean anything, because it's missing the thing that gave it and the stage play that preceded it life... the audience. By definition, a cult film is meant to be seen by a group. Preferably, a large one.
I saw Rocky Horror 20-something years ago, and wound up playing "Brad" with the players next to the stage. Something I would normally never do. Why? The show's energy sucked me in. More accurately, the audience's energy sucked me in.
The show, with a revved-up audience, is almost like a dialogue between the movie and the people watching it. It celebrates sex, hedonism, even while playing out the danger, violence, and tragedy it can result in. It allows the audience of mostly young kids to exude and rejoice in their sexuality, whatever it is. And without ever taking their clothes off. I think that is the real appeal of the show. There's a joyousness, and a strange innocence, in throwing raunchy comments at the screen, watching the live performers on-stage act out the scenes in racy costumes, and sharing the energy anonymously in the dark with strangers.
The live show with the original actors must have been electrifying. Plays always have more energy than films because of the immediacy of the live actors, and the energy must have been even more intense. I'll always regret not having the chance to have seen it.
The movie itself has been described too many times for me to give a synopsis. I will however say that it is really a collage of feelings, ranging from fear, trepidation, excitement, lust, joyous sexual fulfillment, more lust, tragedy, and a strange sadness at the end. Basically, all the emotions that make life worth living, in an hour and a half. However, the visceral enjoyment of this film, and the emotions it brings, will only be experienced with a large, highly energized audience. If you get a chance, and if you can get your reserved ego out of the way, go to a midnight showing in your area when you know there's going to be a big showing. Don't go expecting a logical, coherent storyline. Its about experience, not narrative. You'll get an experience that you've been missing your whole life. At the end, there is a message here, hidden under all the seemingly blissful hedonism. It takes a long time for it to become clear, however.
I wonder if O'Brian, its creator, was clever enough to have put it there all along?
By the way, there is no nudity or actual sex in the entire movie. For a movie with its reputation, that's pretty amazing. Compared to the slasher/gore fests passing themselves off as film these days, the movie is strangely quaint and innocent. But then, that's what true enjoyment of sensuality should be.
For a cult film, 10 out of 10 stars. It doesn't get any better than this as cult films go. -
Nazi_Fighter_David7 October 2008A middle-class young couple, motoring in the country on their wedding night, have car trouble in front of a huge mansion Wanting to use the phone, the two approach the house and go in just as its master, Dr. Frank N. Furter, is leading an experiment His newly made creature, the body-beautiful Rocky, is ready to be unveiled, and the innocent couple is caught up in this strange household filled with the doctor's campy, exotically dressed admirers Both the wife and the husband are seduced by this garter-belted "scientist."
The film's first half is fast and funny, with virtually every song a memorable one But the second half tries to do too much and the film loses much of its potency Nevertheless, the adorable characters make this a delightful entertainment -
mdm-1122 May 2005We-e-e-elcome to the Late Night Double Feature Picture Show! This Cult-Classic mixes elements of "Bride of Frankenstein" with "Forbidden Planet", "The Day The Earth Stood Still" and other classic Horror Flicks. This is a brilliantly conceived original, unsurpassed by any similar effort.
The heroes, a newly engaged young couple, are stranded with car trouble on a rainy night, looking to use the phone at the "Frankenfurter Mansion". They are in for a turbulent ride! There are some great song & dance numbers here, most noteworthy the "Time Warp" and the numbers involving "Eddie" (played by a then unknown Meatloaf). Tim Curry is delicious as the bisexual satyr-like Frankenfurter, who sees his young visitors as fair game for seduction.
The action is fast paced with one thrill after another. It's quite understandable that some fans have watched this film every Saturday at Midnight for the past 30 years. Get a bag of rice, toast, a squirt-gun, surgical gloves, etc, and have yourself a Rocky Horror Picture Show Party! -
... quintessential pre-pop outrageous pop art rock opera freak show comedic hall of weirdos with a pumped-up 70s fragrance and sexual innuendo slide-show of parodic impossible-to-predict sci-fi implausible kind of impossibly over the top horror-meets-fantasy in a grotesquely but quite voluntary way of ridiculous and out-of-worldly piece of contemporary art-hinting quasy-minimalist semi-theatrical interpretation of an intentionally petty pulp-like quite erotic and kaleidoscopic, surprisingly accurate in trend prediction movie.
Quite remarkable.
{Note to editors (this should be removed from the posted comment): I'm aware I'm risking my free account with this post, and I could've easily refrained from posting it at all; I do however feel the "review" above is appropriately styled for The Rocky Horror Picture Show. And yes, I also typically hate such "original" adjective lists. But this is no typical movie. Please just dump my review if you don't think it's a good idea after all. Regardless of your decision, thank you for reading this!} -
SameirAli2 March 2017Movie starts with a marriage function. Hero proposes to the heroine. On their way, the car broke down. In search of a telephone, they reach a castle. There were some strange things happening there. A crazy Dr. Frank-N-Furter gives them hospitality.
One of the best musical horror comedy films. Great performance from all the cast. Not a second of lagging. The music gives excellent blending to the movie.
There are many reference to other films, especially Frankenstein.
Highly recommended.
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Joxerlives22 June 2014With Rocky Horror you either get it or you don't, it's that simple. It really is an excuse for a heterosexuals to embrace their inner fetishist and embrace the hidden campness within. It has no equal, it has no rival and it will live forever more. The fact that such a trendy series as Glee sees fit to pay tribute to it in one ep with actors who weren't even born when the movie version was released ably demonstrates its' timeless appeal and popular resonance.
What's great? What isn't great? Tim Curry is the ultimate Franknfurter, better even than Anthony Head who also excels in the role. Barry Bostick and Susan Sarandon are also terrific, Richard O'Brien, Little Nell and Patricia Quinn all brilliant, much like Dickens there's no such thing as a small role in this film. Interesting to see Christopher Biggins as one of the Transylvanians and a very young Koo Stark as one of the guests at the wedding. And off course this is the film that made Meatloaf a star, he makes a huge impression for having so little screen time and actually no spoken lines, he sings absolutely everything. Charles Gray makes a wonderful narrator, so weird to think he actually never met the rest of the cast.
Great music, Richard O'Brien must have a terrific songwriting ability to produce all these crackers. Love Time Warp, Sweet Patootie, Sweet Transvestite, I'm Going Home, Burning at the Frankenstein Place. Not so fond of Janet Bryce and a few of the others which tend to slow things down a tad in my opinion.
Contains 2 of the best lines in movie history. Firstly; Franknfurter; "Magenta, you and your brother have served me faithfully" Magenta; "I ask for nothing" Frankfurter; "And you shall receive it in abundance!" plus Magenta (surveying the carnage wreaked by Riffraff); "You killed them! But I thought you liked them? They liked you" Riffraff (hysterically, exposing all his inner insecurities);"They didn't like me! They NEVER liked me!" Priceless! -
Gazzer-22 March 2001A squeaky-clean young couple, Brad & Janet (Barry Bostwick & Susan Sarandon), get a flat tire on a late rainy night, and decide to stop off at a nearby castle to use the residents' phone and call for help. What they don't realise is that these are no ordinary residents: Dr. Frank N Furter (Tim Curry), with assistance from his servants Riff Raff (Richard O'Brien), Magenta (Patricia Quinn), and their ragtag bunch of fellow Transylvanians, has his own diabolical plans for the evening, set against a kick-butt rock 'n' roll music score....
Call me a twisted "Rocky Horror" fan, but I actually prefer to watch this cult classic movie-musical in the comfort of my own home, rather than going out to one of those midnight theatrical screenings that have made this 1975 film so popular. Oh, I'm sure there's great fun to be had at a midnight showing, but the fact is, you're not going to see or hear very much of the movie itself, what with the audience shouting & throwing stuff at the screen literally every two seconds (think of "Mystery Science Theater 3000" on speed), as well as the live cast performing in front of the movie screen! If you want to really *see and hear* "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" as you would any other film, watch it on video first. Then, when you've got the movie firmly etched in your head, head out to the theater. But NOT before!
Having said that, this movie version of the hit stage musical written by Richard O'Brien (Riff Raff himself), is a ton of great, naughty fun. It wonderfully sends up B-movie sci-fi/horror flicks, with a playful, healthy dose of blatant sexual innuendo thrown in for good measure. Classic, memorable rock 'n' roll tunes written by O'Brien throughout, including "The Time Warp," "Sweet Transvestite," "Hot Patootie"....the list goes on and on. And, of course, you have a spectacular cast, led by Tim Curry, who IS the larger-than-life Dr. Frank N Furter, and a young, attractive Susan Sarandon, who simply lights up the screen as Janet. But everyone else, including Barry Bostwick, Meatloaf, Little Nell, Patricia Quinn, and Charles Gray all make excellent contributons, too.
I love "The Rocky Horror Picture Show": it's very funny, sexy, and brilliantly performed, with great rock 'n' roll music t'boot. But I, personally, still prefer to watch it at home, where I can see the film in peace & quiet without being yelled in my ear, getting soaked, or having rice & toast tossed all around me! -
Irishchatter1 June 2015Oh my god, my head is spinning from seeing this movie. Crikey like Tim Curry was the one who was mind blowing in this film. His singing was incredible and he just added so much personality to his character that I couldn't keep up with him. In my childhood like, he played the Mouse King in the Barbie film: Barbie and the Nutcracker, he just was so good at being evil but I think he sang only little. I knew he was an excellent actor and singer especially playing in drag version!
Susan Sarandon had such a cute little singing voice. It's like she was singing a Disney song in the movie although she didn't sing in the Enchanted regardless of her playing a villain. I would've loved to have heard her sing. She looked really sexy in the film, although I bet she was cold having just a bra and underwear on. Oh well, she did a great job anyhow!
The songs were amazing, the cast were amazing and the storyline was hard to follow but good at the same time. Watch this film!!! -
bkoganbing9 October 2015Before finally watching The Rocky Horror Picture Show to review I asked a young friend who was visiting me what he thought of it. I offered to give him the DVD when I was finished with it. He said fine, but he thought that The Rocky Horror Picture Show was better as a stage show. God only knows it's revived often enough and has been taken to heart as a cult item with shows in just about every where there's a visible LGBT community. In fact I know at least one person who in Toronto every year plays Dr. Frank N. Furter in a production.
The three leads in fact saw their breakout performances in this science fiction parody which takes its plot partly from the Frankenstein story and from the Island of Dr. Moreau. Having Mary Shelley and H.G. Wells as inspiration gives you a good start.
Young couple Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon get themselves lost and wind up at the home of mad cross dressing scientist Dr. Frank N. Furter played by Tim Curry. If you've seen both those classic films than you have some idea of the story line.
I'll say this if Dr. Frankenstein was gay Peter Hinwood would be exactly what he would dream up for an artificially created man. Whatever happened to him?
The musical numbers performed stylishly by drag performers are staged well. And certainly the pyrotechnics are probably better seen in a live production.
So I guess I'll have to take my friend's comment and judge that for myself. -
m-bailey828 October 2010This movie was definitely not made during the days of the Hays Code. This musical has amazing, talented actors that can keep a straight face. This movie deals with being different in society, from sexuality to the way people look. The directing was good, and the scenery and lighting gave the story that takes place in this big house believable for the movie. This also helped keep the audience interested. It made people think of things like "What's going to happen to Brad and Janet?" "Will they ever get out of this house?" "How is this movie going to end?" Although the story was very different then from what I'm used to watching, it was still great nonetheless.
The story was hard to follow towards the end. When Dr. Frank and Rocky die, and Riff Raff and Magenta return to Transylvania it was a little confusing. This movie works for the movie, but something like this couldn't happen in real life. I liked this movie anyway since I'm a sucker for a good musical. -
Tweekums1 November 2009Love it or hate it this film is a classic which surprisingly doesn't seem dated, presumably this is because the props and special effects always looked a bit ropey... deliberately so I'm sure.
The film opens with Brad proposing to his girlfriend Janet after a friends' wedding, the two of then decide they must go and give the news to their friend Dr Scott in who's class they had first met. On the way they have a puncture and are forced to go to a nearby castle to use the telephone. It is soon clear that something is going on here, there is a strange gathering with an even stranger host in the form of Dr. Frank-N-Furter... played by Tim Curry in over the top form wearing a costume which must be seen to be believed. After the introductions he invites Brad and Janet up to his lab to witness the birth of his creation Rocky; a blond muscle-man wearing skimpy gold underwear. Things get a bit gruesome when a motorcycle riding Eddie, played by Meatloaf, bursts out of a vault singing a song... Frank is not happy about having his moment interrupted kills him with a pick-axe. This doesn't seem to bother people too much and soon the guests have departed and Brad and Janet have retired to separate bedrooms. Once in bed Frank sneaks into each room in turn and proceeds to seduce our previously innocent heroes. Janet doesn't stop there, she goes out and has her way with Rocky. The plot thickens when Dr Scott turns up looking for his nephew Eddie, Frank assumes that Brad and Janet must be spying for Dr Scott. After a rather uncomfortable meal he immobilises them and forces them to take part in a strange floor show. After which underlings Magenta and Riff-Raff announce that they have had enough of Frank's excesses and are going to return to their home planet.
While the plot isn't that great it is still a fantastic film due to the wonderfully over the top characters and the memorable songs. The actors did a great job, Susan Sarandon had a great singing voice and looked great wearing little more than plain white underwear for much of the film; she managed to look innocent and incredibly sexy at the same time. Tim Curry's Frank never looked or sounded innocent everything he said and did oozed with decadence and sexuality. Comment must also be made about Richard O'Brien who not only did well as Riff-Raff wrote the original play on which the film is based. -
BA_Harrison10 August 2016Newly engaged couple Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon) are travelling to visit their old college professor Dr. Scott (Jonathan Adams) when their car has a blow out. With no spare tyre, they seek help at a nearby castle, where they encounter a group of decidedly strange individuals, including handyman Riff Raff (Richard O'Brien), maid Magenta (Patricia Quinn), groupie Columbia (Nell Campbell), rocker Eddie (Meat Loaf), and, of course, transvestite scientist Frank N. Furter (Tim Curry), who has been busy building a man in his lab (Rocky, played by Peter Hinwood).
I remember reading the novelisation of Fame, back in 1982, in which a couple of the characters attended a late night showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show; it sounded like a lot of fun, and as an inquisitive young fan of cult cinema, I knew I had to find a copy of this film. Eventually, I was able to buy it on VHS and was hooked by its uniqueness, its energy and its catchy songs. Over the following years I watched it repeatedly, learning the words and memorising the details.
I've just watched the film again for the first time in well over a decade (maybe even nearer two), but within seconds it all came flooding back (as if I was in a Time Warp): the excellent tunes, the quotable dialogue, the wonderful cast. That's the sign of a true cult movie: it's more than just a mere film it becomes ingrained in your very being. The story is extremely silly and scattershot, but that is all part of its charm. Let your inhibitions go, and you'll have a blast. Or to quote Frank N. Furter: give yourself over to absolute pleasure. -
Hitchcoc17 September 2010I was never part of the cult following for this film. I saw it nearly 30 years ago. I went after midnight with a roommate and found the experience quite interesting. I don't criticize people for enjoying life and having fun with something like this. God knows, life can be boring at times and whatever puts a smile on your face and gets you through another day is OK with me. The movie itself is unlike anything I've seen. The songs are clever and over the top. From Tim Curry on down it is one strange kick after another. It is, of course, filled with every representative of what came to be the GLBT experience. It was a bit much for me at times but it was like watching an event that you can't explain to another person. It sounds stupid to describe it and yet it has an unfathomable charm and a place in the movie musical canon. It was kind of cool to see it again, thirty years later.
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aleksanderk-953504 July 2021Very unique film that covers a lot of genres. Mainly a musical, but also has bits of comedy, horror, and sci fi. Tim Curry is the stand out in this film. He kills it in every scene creating this fascinating character. All the singing is fantastic and enjoyable.
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rivertam262 August 2020What is there to say that hasn't been said about this masterpiece. It's the ultimate guilty pleasure that's so wrong it's right. It's definitely a movie that shouldn't have ever worked by any means but by some cinematic miracle it does and brilliantly so. You know the story, a recently engaged couple Brad played by a sexy Barry Bostwick and Janet played by the iconic Susan Sarandon are traveling home from a friend's wedding and their car breaks down. So they head out in the rain and come upon a giant haunted looking mansion. Upon arriving they are greeted by a creepy and fabulous brother sister duo and than they meet the doctor a "sweet transvestite" played the charasmatic and timeless Tim Curry. Filled with amazing songs and an abundance of infinite creativity. Rocky Horror picture show is one of the best films ever made and should never try and be remade (let's forget about Fox's travesty). It's an undeniable classic of epic proportions and has one of the biggest and deserved cult fan bases of all time.
Budget: $1.4M Box Office: $140.2M
10/10 -
Adriane17 August 1999Oh, come on admit it: we all love this movie and have gone to see it in the theatre. I have only seen it live once, but it was something that I won't soon forget. I still love watching it at home and practice the singing! Tim Curry, Susan and Barry are all hilarious, and the songs will be forever imbedded into your brain. "Damn it Janet, I love you."