The Rocky Horror Picture Show hits 50 this year, and Disney’s restoration team have spent ten months of a 4K version of the cult film.
I’m not sure if it’s still the case, but The Rocky Horror Picture Show was a record holder in the UK, for being the movie that’s been on continual release in cinemas the longest. Following its debut in 1975, it was never withdrawn from theatrical distribution at any point, and so technically is still on release.
On top of that, of course, Richard O’Brien’s creation has been a constant resident in theatres somewhere in the world, and as the show and film hit their 50th anniversary, there’s little sign of their popularity waning (well, the show itself is 52, the film is about to hit 50).
Concentrating on the movie, it turns out that The Walt Disney Company, which now owns the film following its acquisition of 21st Century Fox and its assets last decade, has invested in a 4K restoration of it. This is work, as per Deadline, that’s taken the best part of a year to complete. As well as the restoration of the image, the audio has been remixed into Dolby Atmos as well. The plan is for a 50th anniversary re-release of the film later this year. Thus far, that’s just been announced for America, but it’s going to be playing elsewhere in the world too.
Furthermore, it’s not too much of a stretch to suggest we’re likely to then get the film’s debut on the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format as well, although a fresh physical media release as of yet has not been confirmed.
A few more details about what’s been involved in the restoration are covered over at The Digital Bits website, here.
As and when we get more details of when The Rocky Horror Picture Show is coming to the UK (in 4K), we’ll let you know.
