Rollerball (1975) (Standard [SOLD OUT] + Encore Editions) (Limited Edition)

[Akijama]

Pre-order date: Wednesday, April 23rd.

Special Features:

Isolated Score Track / Audio Commentary with Director Norman Jewison / Audio Commentary with Writer William Harrison / From Rome to Rollerball: The Full Circle / Return to the Arena: The Making of Rollerball / TV Spots / Trailers / MGM 90th Anniversary Trailer

The year is 2018. There are no wars. There is no crime. There is only....the Game. In a world where ruthless corporations reign supreme, this vicious and barbaric "sport" is the only outlet for the pent-up anger and frusterations of the masses. Tuned to their televisions, the people watch "Rollerball": a brutal mutation of football, motocross and hockey. Jonathon E. is the champion player- a man to talented for his own good. The Corporation has taken away the woman Jonathon loves but they can't take away his soul- even if the diabolical corporate head tells him he better retire.... or suffer the old-fashioned way. With its surrealistic imagery and tense action sequences, Rollerball grips you by the heart- and never lets you go!.

Rollerball Official Trailer #1 - James Caan Movie (1975) HD - YouTube

[Show spoiler]
https://www.facebook.com/twilighttim...74344652584204

[the1tyrant]

About damn time!!!! Day 1 pre-order for me

[AKORIS]

%@&*(*(*&^*&^%%*(&) Twilight Time!!!!

I REFUSE to buy from this rip-off company!!!

[NoirFan]

A bit surprising, I would have thought this would be far more likely from Shout.

[klauswhereareyou]

Looks like 2014 will be a good year for James Caan on blu-ray. Now we need the Gambler!

[Stratton]

Originally Posted by klauswhereareyou

Looks like 2014 will be a good year for James Caan on blu-ray. Now we need the Gambler!

I couldn't agree more!!! Love Rollerball, The Gambler, and Thief! Day one for me too!!

Jonathan! Jonathan! Jonathan! Jonathan!

[Scottie]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

A bit surprising, I would have thought this would be far more likely from Shout.

This.

[WesReviews]

Bummer. I don't buy from Twilight Time, so a pass here, as well.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

A bit surprising, I would have thought this would be far more likely from Shout.

Oh, hell-yeah. They're just not doing their job on the 70's cult classics.

Originally Posted by cine74

Never saw Rollerball but doesn't it share a similar plot with 1987's The Running Man, and even Hunger Games?

Uh, yes AND no...
Welcome to post-Nixon 70's-era pre-SW sci-fi, when everyone was pessimistic and dystopia had to have Social Meaning.
Of the examples mentioned, it's a bit like Hunger Games, only not so CW and whiny-teeny (like the remake):
Corporations have now completely replaced politics, all public needs are handed out as bread-and-circuses by "the Corporations", and Rollerball is the said circus, as official sports conglomerate and replacement for war.
But...can you just eliminate man's violent nature out of "enlightened" society so easily? Exec John Houseman seems to be removing more and more of the safety regulations out of the game for ratings, especially now that star-athlete James Caan is starting to ask questions....

Which's why I'm hoping they ported the Norman Jewison commentary over from the MGM DVD--
Without it, it's all a bit 70's silly (you probably wouldn't understand why the bored partygoers start shooting trees), but once you have the theme/plot developments put all in context, the final climactic no-rules game turns into a nailbiter.
You can keep yer Apes and Logan's Run, this is the first one I think of for "70's sci-fi".

[mar3o]

What a shame. I've been waiting and hoping for this one but there's no way I'm paying $35 for this title. I hate this company. It does nothing good for the fans or the blu-ray industry. It just creates a few thousand collectibles for scalpers to sell on Ebay.

[JimDiGriz]

Originally Posted by EricJ

Oh, hell-yeah. They're just not doing their job on the 70's cult classics.



Uh, yes AND no...
Welcome to post-Nixon 70's-era pre-SW sci-fi, when everyone was pessimistic and dystopia had to have Social Meaning.
Of the examples mentioned, it's a bit like Hunger Games, only not so CW and whiny-teeny (like the remake):
Corporations have now completely replaced politics, all public needs are handed out as bread-and-circuses by "the Corporations", and Rollerball is the said circus, as official sports conglomerate and replacement for war.
But...can you just eliminate man's violent nature out of "enlightened" society so easily? Exec John Houseman seems to be removing more and more of the safety regulations out of the game for ratings, especially now that star-athlete James Caan is starting to ask questions....

Which's why I'm hoping they ported the Norman Jewison commentary over from the MGM DVD--
Without it, it's all a bit 70's silly (you probably wouldn't understand why the bored partygoers start shooting trees), but once you have the theme/plot developments put all in context, the final climactic no-rules game turns into a nailbiter.
You can keep yer Apes and Logan's Run, this is the first one I think of for "70's sci-fi".

Rollerball is a bit dated but its still a great example of 70s dystopia. Id rate it a little under Planet of the Apes and a bit above Logan's Run myself. Why this one is taking so long to get a proper mainstream release is beyond me.

[noirjunkie]

That cover art is great. I'm looking forward to this one.

[mdonovan]

Hate the business model of TT ... But this one is a day one for me.

[rkolinski]

TT business model doesn't bother me at all; I'll be happy to order this day one!

[Pirate King]

Originally Posted by rkolinski

TT business model doesn't bother me at all; I'll be happy to order this day one!

Exactly. For those who think TT prices are too high.... Don't do business with them. It is your choice. I own about a dozen TT titles... and no regrets about the price. I can watch Journey to the Center of the Earth anytime I want. That is worth 30 bucks to me. And I will purchase Rollerball when it becomes available.

[Skippy Bibble]

Originally Posted by Pirate King

Exactly. For those who think TT prices are too high.... Don't do business with them. It is your choice. I own about a dozen TT titles... and no regrets about the price. I can watch Journey to the Center of the Earth anytime I want. That is worth 30 bucks to me. And I will purchase Rollerball when it becomes available.

I too bought Journey to the Center of the Earth, Mysterious Island, and Fright Night from TT, but I have to wonder something.

Would I have still bought them versus buying the HD versions on iTunes for at least half the price?
$15 versus $30+ is tempting...

[Monroville]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

and yet here's a ton of people that all seem perfectly okay to pay over $30 for a zero featured catalog title....
am I in the Twilight Zone? this doesn't make sense to me...

No... you are in the Twilight Time Zone.

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by Monroville

No... you are in the Twilight Time Zone.

thanks... whatever the hell that means....

[Deciazulado]

All I wish is the surround track preserves the sound of the ball going around the room when launched like it did when I saw this in a CINERAMA theater presentation.

PS. You're looking for something? This thread is about a Rollerball Blu-ray..

[Viper187]

Oh Hell Yeah! This will be a definite pre-order. I wonder if there's any chance they'll get a hold of Catch Me if You Can (1989). A 25th anniversary release of that next year would be awesome, since it's never been on ****ing DVD. Krull and Storm of the Century would be nice too.