How The Rocky Horror Picture Show became cult

Initially shunned upon its release in 1975, Jim Sharman’s film became a pop culture phenomenon, thanks to its midnight showings and an audience that ended up being part of the spectacle. A look back at the crazy destiny of a pop and queer UFO, which celebrates half a century of freedom and transgression.

Two months after the death of Tim Curry, Arte rebroadcasts this evening The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Released in 1975, this pop and queer UFO has become one of the most unique cult films in the history of cinema. Halfway between rock’n’roll musical comedy, parody of horror films and homage to B-series science fiction productions, it has had a trajectory as improbable as its universe: initially shunned by the public and critics, it has transformed into a generational phenomenon thanks to midnight screenings that have become real participatory shows.

Adapted from the musical The Rocky Horror Showcreated in 1973 by Richard O’Brien, the film was written by the latter with Jim Sharman, who also directed it. O’Brien reprises the role of Riff Raff on screen. The story follows Brad and Janet (Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon), a young engaged couple whose car breaks down one rainy night near a mysterious castle. Looking for help, they discover a strange assembly gathered around the master of the place, Doctor Frank-N-Furter, an extraterrestrial mad scientist and transvestite from the planet Transsexual, in the galaxy of Transylvania. He is about to present his latest creation to them: Rocky, an artificial man with spectacular musculature. An ideal starting point for a musical, sexual and cinematic delirium which will soon go far beyond the borders of the screen…..