We just heard the news and we are really looking forward to this one, as it has been announced that Rollerball (the 1975 version), is coming to Blu-ray.
Although the movie was rebooted in 2002, the original version starring James Caan has always been a firm favourite in my collection of movies and to get to see the movie on Blu-ray is only making us more excited here at Blazing Minds for its release.
Rollerball represents the very best of the “Future Sport” flicks; a pre-cursor to such genre classics as The Running Man, Battle Royale and even The Hunger Games, the film explores the popularity of violent entertainment and the power of the media, but it goes further, looking more profoundly at the society beyond the game.
This new release will include a host of exciting extra features including audio commentaries with both director Norman Jewison and writer William Harrison alongside a brand-new interview with Rollerball star James Caan.
Other brand-new extras include featurettes The Fourth City: Shooting Rollerball in Munich in which various crew members revisit the original locations used in the film, alongside The Bike Work which sees stuntman Craig R. Baxley discuss the motorcycle stunts in Rollerball and the challenges and dangers of being one of the Rollerball bikers.
The new edition will also include archive bonus material such as Return to the Arena: The Making of Rollerball, From Rome to Rollerball: The Full Circle an original EPK from the release bringing together interviews and on-set footage.
Rounding off the Blu-ray is the original Theatrical Trailer, TV Spots, a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Paul Shipper and a collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film, illustrated with original archive stills and posters.
Rollerball Synopsis
In a corporate-controlled future, the world’s nations have been disbanded and conflict is a thing of the past. But blood continues to be shed on the tracks of Rollerball – a brutal contact sport which pits players in a battle of life and death.
James Caan (The Godfather, Thief, Misery) plays Jonathan E., celebrated captain of the Houston Rollerball team whose prowess on the track has earned him renown across the globe. But this fame has also attracted the ire of the games’ corporate sponsors, who wish to suppress any displays of personal achievement – fearing this could encourage the populace to revolt. With the powers-that-be pushing for his retirement, Jonathan is faced with a choice – concede to the Corporation’s will or take a stand, by continuing to compete in the increasingly deadly games.
Shot in Munich to make use of the city’s futuristic Olympic architecture, Rollerball is a classic slice of dystopian filmmaking, mixing high-octane action sequences with gripping (and thoroughly prescient) social commentary. The future is now – the future is Rollerball!
Rollerball Blu-ray Special Features
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the film from a digital transfer prepared by MGM Studios
Optional uncompressed stereo 2.0 audio and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround Sound
Isolated Music and Effects Soundtrack
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Audio Commentary with director Norman Jewison
Audio Commentary with writer William Harrison
Blood Sports with James Caan – A brand-new interview with the Rollerball star
The Fourth City: Shooting Rollerball in Munich – Unit manager Dieter Meyer and others revisit the Audi Dome and other original locations
The Bike Work: Craig R. Baxley on the Motorcycle Stunts in Rollerball – Stunt artist Baxley on the challenges and dangers of being one of the Rollerball bikers
Return to the Arena: The Making of Rollerball
From Rome to Rollerball: The Full Circle – original EPK bringing together interviews and on-set footage
Original Theatrical Trailer
Theatrical Teaser
TV Spots
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Paul Shipper
Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film, illustrated with original archive stills and posters.
Rollerball is out on Blu-ray on the 23rd March 2015, looks out for a full review of the release soon here on Blazing Minds.
Author information
Karen Woodham
Owner at Blazing Minds
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds, an avid blogger and bona fide journalist of all sorts of interesting and odd things. She is also a Cinema Film Reviewer, based in Rhyl, where she reviews the latest movies, she has also had several articles in The Daily Post Newspaper, Inside Flintshire as well as other publications.
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The post Futuristic Dystopian Thriller Rollerball is Coming to Blu-ray appeared first on Blazing Minds.
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