THE FUTURE IS NOW. THE FUTURE IS ROLLERBALL
Arrow Video is thrilled to announce the Blu-ray release
of the iconic 1975-futuristic dystopian
thriller Rollerball. Released on
23rd March 2015, 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, and 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.
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
individual 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!
Special Edition Contents
- 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.
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