“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is a musical film with elements of horror and del science fiction genre of 1975, directed by Jim Sharman and based on the stage play of the same name. The film has become a classic cult, loved for its quirky storyline, quirky characters, and catchy songs.
The plot follows a young couple, Brad and Janet, who find themselves stranded during a storm and seek shelter in a nearby castle. Inside the castle they meet Dr. Frank N. Furter, an alien transsexual with the goal of creating the perfect muscle man, Rocky. The couple becomes involved in a series of extravagant and surprising events, while Dr. Furter tries to realize his plan.
The film features a number of memorable songs, including ‘Time Warp’, ‘Sweet Transvestite’ and ‘Dammit Janet’. The cast includes Tim Curry as Dr. Frank N. Furter, Susan Sarandon as Janet and Barry Bostwick as Brad.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” has gained a large following of devoted fans, with fans often attending screenings of the film dressed as the characters and singing the songs. The film has also inspired numerous live shows, called “shadow casts”, in which performers reenact scenes from the film, in sync with the screen, while fans actively participate in the film by singing and dancing along.
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Plot
The plot of ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ follows the young couple, Brad and Janet, who find themselves stranded during a storm and seek shelter in a mysterious castle. Inside the castle, they meet Dr. Frank N. Furter, an eccentric transsexual alien who is working on a project to create the perfect muscular man, named Rocky.
Brad and Janet soon find themselves involved in a series of extravagant and surprising events, while Dr. Furter tries to fulfill his plan and satisfy his sexual desires. The couple are introduced to the world of sex and eroticism, and find themselves forced to question their own morals and sexuality.
Meanwhile, Dr. Furter has to deal with his creation, Rocky, who tries to find his place in the world and figure out who he really is. The arrival of other characters in the castle, including the mysterious Riff Raff and the seductive Magenta, leads to further developments in the plot, with surprising twists and turns.
Music plays a central role in the storyline, with numerous memorable songs interspersed with scenes from the film. The final climax leads to a great showdown, with the fate of the characters in the balance and the revelation of some dark secrets. The story of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is unique and original, with a mix of fantastic, musical and sexual elements that made the film a cult classic loved all over the world.
Movie Characters
‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ features a number of wacky and eccentric characters, which help make the film unique and memorable. Here is a list of the main characters in the film:
Brad Majors: played by Barry Bostwick, he is a college student who finds himself stranded in a storm with his girlfriend Janet.
Janet Weiss: played by Susan Sarandon, is Brad’s girlfriend and accompanies her partner to the castle to seek shelter from the storm.
Dr. Frank N. Furter: played by Tim Curry, he is an alien transsexual who created Rocky and has a secret goal in his project.
Rocky Horror: starring Peter Hinwood, is the creation of Dr. Frank N. Furter, a handsome, muscular man trying to find his place in the world.
Riff Raff: played by Richard O’Brien, he is the servant of Dr. Frank N. Furter, with a goth appearance and a creepy personality.
Magenta: played by Patricia Quinn, she is the sister of Riff Raff and has an extravagant and seductive appearance.
Columbia: played by Nell Campbell, she is a groupie of Dr. Frank N. Furter, who attends his parties and experiments.
Eddie: played by Meat Loaf, he is an ex-lover of Dr. Frank N. Furter and one of his victims.
Each character has a unique personality and contributes their style and presence to the storyline of the film, making “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” an unforgettable film.
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Production
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is a 1975 musical film directed by Jim Sharman and produced by Lou Adler. The film is based on the stage play of the same name by Richard O’Brien, who also wrote the screenplay and played the character Riff Raff in the film.
The film’s production was problematic, with numerous obstacles and delays in the process. Initially, the film was unsuccessful at the box office but started gaining popularity as a cult film after a few midnight showings in the United States. The film also benefited from fan attendance at screenings, which gave rise to rituals and traditions that have become an integral part of the film viewing experience.
The cast of the film included many talented actors including Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick and Meat Loaf who helped make the film a success. The soundtrack to the film, composed by Richard O’Brien, also became very popular, with songs like “Time Warp”, “Sweet Transvestite” and “Science Fiction/Double Feature” becoming classics.
Over the years, the film has become a pop culture icon and has continued to play in theaters around the world. It has also inspired numerous adaptations, including a 2016 television remake and a 2021 television series called ˜The Rocky Horror Show’.
Distribution and Reception
‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ was released in theaters in 1975, but was not initially very successful at the box office. However, the film gained popularity due to midnight screenings held in some cities across the United States, where audiences began to actively participate in the film, dressing extravagantly, singing the songs and reciting lines along with the on-screen characters.
The film received mixed reviews from critics upon its release, but over time it has become a cult phenomenon, thanks to its unique aesthetics, captivating soundtrack and its ability to engage the audience.
Today, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is regarded as one of the most iconic pop culture films of the 1970s and continues to play in theaters around the world. In 2005, the film was chosen for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, due to its historical, cultural and aesthetic significance.
Additionally, the film gave birth to a number of traditions and rituals that have become an integral part of the film viewing experience. These included throwing rice during the wedding scene, lighting matches during the song “Over at the Frankenstein Place”, and using a stuffed crow during the song “The Time Warp”.
Style
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is known for its bold and unique style, which mixes elements of musicals, comedies, science fiction and horror movie. The film has been defined as a parody of genre films, but at the same time has its own well-defined visual and musical identity.
The film’s aesthetic is characterized by eccentric costumes and makeup, vibrant lighting, and richly detailed set design. The soundtrack, composed by Richard O’Brien, was a key factor in the film’s success, with songs ranging from rock to pop, soul to dance music.
The film also makes use of many theater conventions, such as the use of the fourth wall, in which characters address the audience directly, and stylized, theatrical acting. However, the film manages to maintain a feeling of authenticity and spontaneity, thanks to the charismatic and lively performances of the actors.
Overall, the style of ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ is unique and experimental, and it has become a major factor in its success and cult film status.
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Director
The director of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is Jim Sharman, born in Australia in 1945. Sharman was a successful theater director before directing the film, and he collaborated with Richard O’Brien on the production of the original musical on which the film is based.
Sharman directed other films as well, including 1972’s ‘Shirley Thompson Versus the Aliens’ and ‘Shock Treatment’, the sequel to 1981’s ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’. However, his name is mostly associated with ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show”, which contributed significantly to his reputation as an innovative and experimental filmmaker.
Sharman’s direction for ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ was characterized by a bold and unconventional approach, which helped create the film’s surreal and unsettling atmosphere. Sharman also collaborated with costume designer Sue Blane and production designer Brian Thomson to create a unique and recognizable visual image, which contributed to the film’s enduring appeal.
Overall, Jim Sharman’s direction has helped create one of the most innovative and iconic musical films in the cinema history, which continues to be loved and celebrated by generations of fans.