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Print this pageEmail to a friendShock Treatment - Blu-ray release 2017
The Rocky Horror Picture Show "sequel"
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On September 11th, 2017 Shock Treatment was released on blu-ray for the first time by Arrow Entertainment. (The original release date of August 7th was put back.)

Available to two collectors versions, a Cosmo and a Nation cover. The contents are the same in both versions, it's just the cover image that changes.

Shock Treatment Blu-rays

The discs are in a nice slip out folder, along a double sided poster, collectors cards and booklet.
Fold

Folded out backOn the reverse of the inside slip case there are two images, the Shock Treatment logo is designed to show through a window in the outer slip case. I think they missed a trick here by not making the "Welcome to DTV" logo the same size so you could rotate the slip case to show that option when everything is packaged up.

Nice idea though.

Do take care taking the individual discs out of the case, the plastic clips either side need to be released rather than just pulling the disc out. We've had a couple of people mention that they have managed to snap these when they tried just pulling the discs straight out.

Discs
You get two discs in the box set, one is the blu-ray movie and extras, the other a copy of the soundtrack. The movie has the "5 F's" logo and the soundtrack "Sanity for Today" as their logos.

Pack Shot 1
Included in the set you have a double sided poster 167mm x 810mm, with a cartoon version of the opening scene "DENTON" on one side and "IT'S GOTTA BE DTV" on the reverse. There are also twelve cards, 64mm x 89mm which have cartoon images of the characters on one side and make a "Home of Happiness" poster when reversed.
Pack Shot 2
The final part of the set is a small (117mm x 147mm) 24 page booklet.
Booklet
The booklet has a cast listing, an article about Shock Treatment by Michael Blyth, a track listing for the soundtrack as well as information about the transfer, production credits and a special thanks section. There are also several images from the movie included.

Cards
The Mix 'n' Match cards are nice cartoon images of six of the characters, which when flipped over make a "Home of Happiness" poster.
Cards

The movie itself is a lovely clean transfer although it is framed at 1.78:1, rather than the original cinema aspect of 1.37:1. You can see the quality improvement and the change in framing with the following examples of the blu-ray and original release of the UK LaserDisc. Even with the LD version stretched to fit a normal 16:9 screen, you can see that the blu-ray crops top and bottom information from the original movie.
BluRay / LD

The movie disc offers several audio options. You can listen in stereo, 5.1 audio, an isolated music and effects track, or choose between two audio commentaries. The first audio commentary is by Patricia Quinn and Nell Campbell, the second by Shock Treatment Fan Club presidents "Mad Man" Mike and Bill Brennan. You can also start the movie straight in, or have a nice (audio over a still shot) introduction from Richard O'Brien, made at the time of the original release.

One small problem seems to be a drop out in audio in the first song "Denton, U.S.A.". When it goes into the chorus with the audience clapping the sound drops right down. This was on the release version as well as a pre-production review disc we were sent, so a mastering problem rather than a production fault.

As well as the movie there are loads of extras included on the disc.

There is a making of feature (14.54 minutes) from 2006 featuring Jim Sharman, Sal Piro, John Goldstone, Richard Hartley, Patricia Quinn, Sue Blane, Cliff DeYoung, Betsy Brantley and Mike Molloy. Along with this is another six minute feature, shot at the same time which talks about the music of Shock Treatment.

The Rocky Horror Treatment (22.45 minutes) is a feature made around the time of the release of Shock Treatment, which talks about The Rocky Horror Picture Show as well as Shock Treatment. It's a nice look back on the USA fandom in the 1980's as well as a nice insight of Shock Treatment when it was being made. It was nice to see some footage of Christopher Malcolm as well.

There is also an interview with Patricia Quinn with Mark Kermode at the BFI in early October 2016 (17;02 minutes). In the interview they talk mainly about Shock Treatment and mention the BFI Denton Convention that took place later that month. It's a real shame that they did not use any footage from the convention itself as there was a brilliant international shadow cast, organised by Gia at the event and we know that the event was filmed.

The other extras on the disc are a Meet the Fans section, along with a photo gallery.

Finally there are three covers of the songs Shock Treatment, Bitchin' in the Kitchen & Duel Duet, by an indie pop singer/songwriter from Orlando, Florida who goes by the name of Marc with A C (Marc Sirdoreus). Very slow, guitar accompanied versions and not the Rock N Roll that the songs of Shock Treatment should be.

So what did we think?
The transfer is stunning, you can really see the details in each shot now, just a shame that the aspect ratio is cropped from the original cinema release. The ultimate collectors version should feature both options, but I guess that would mean another disc and possibly another transfer and remaster. It would also have been nice if there could have been a digital download version as well, for iPads, etc.

The packaging is fun and the poster and cards are a nice addition as well.

Extras aren't too bad, just a pity they missed out on using the BFI convention footage, I sure there is a reason, but it' still a shame.

I'm sure there will be many fans buying both versions to keep their collections complete, it would have been nice if each version had a little more that the cover changed, perhaps some different character cards?

Overall, a worthy release of Shock Treatment.

Available to order from order nowArrow's web site - click hereorder now.

LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

  • Digital transfer from original film elements
  • High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
  • 5.1 and Mono audio options
  • Isolated Music and Effects Track
  • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • Audio commentary by Shock Treatment Fan Club presidents "Mad Man" Mike and Bill Brennan
  • 35 Years of Shock Treatment – live panel filmed at British Film Insitute
  • DTV Presents: A Shockumentary featurette
  • Let's Rock 'n Roll: Shock Treatment's Super Score featurette
  • Theatrical and International Trailers
  • Exclusive Digipak Packaging featuring newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys
  • Collector’s Booklet featuring new writing on the film by festival programmer Michael Blyth
  • Set of Exclusive Shock Treatment Mix ‘n’ Match Cards!
  • Exclusive double-sided DENTON poster

DETAILS

  • RRP: £29.99 (Arrow have it for £24.99 as of Monday, May 29th, 2017)
  • Region: B
  • Rating: PG
  • Cat No: FCD1546
  • Duration: 94 mins
  • Language: English
  • Subtitles: English HOH
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
  • Audio: Mono
  • Discs: 1
  • Colour

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