The most infamous and celebrated of all cult films Richard O'Brien's adaptation of his own stage play is so unique as to seemingly exist in its own field of cinema.
On its own it's a cleverly and surprisingly effective spoof of sci-fi horrors and musicals, all presented as a standard 'B-movie', complete with self-referrential narration. Sly digs are given to a wealth of films but mostly in pays homage to its own pulp roots. Everything from the look to the song numbers is gloriously tacky to the point of embarrassment but it's impossible not to laugh as all the actors enjoy themselves so much. Tim Curry stands out as the wonderfully camp 'Frank N Furter', a bizarre fusion of Victor Frankenstein and Sally Bowles. He successfully combines 'Carry On'-style humour with high energy to create a truly cult character. Susan Sarandon provides unexpectedly ravishing crumpet and Barry Bostwick's just-as-bonkers Brad is hilarious comic foil.
One feels that without the legendary mass participation a bigger, more riotous experience is missing, which somewhat diminishes its status. But as it is it's a frivolously trashy and funny film working up some fantastically humours moments and with an alluringly strange and likeable atmosphere. And let's face it, it gives for one hell of a Halloween costume.