Many of the best filmmakers have worked their way up to the position with a background in editing (David Lean) or as cinematographers (Nicolas Roeg) but its unheard of a for a gaffer (head of a films electrical crew) to become a director. But that’s exactly what happened with Rowdy Herrington. With only the low budget film, ‘Jack’s Back’ which he’d also written under his belt it was 1980’s uber producer Joel Silver who saw Herrington’s potential and offered him the Road House gig inviting him along to midnight meeting on the set of Die Hard that was mid shoot at the time.
Silver, along with Jerry Bruckheimer was one of the producers who had really bought action films to the fore in the 1980’s with films such as 48hrs, Commando, Lethal Weapon & Predator. He was able to spot talent and put together a stellar package and here it would be a cast led by the late Patrick Swayze who had been around since the early part of the decade making impressions with films like the jingoistic Red Dawn but it was 1987’s Dirty Dancing that made him a star and if that was a film for the girls then Road House would be his film for the boys with its story of a bouncer hired to restore order to a rowdy bar but crosses paths with a crime boss who runs the town. Brutal punch-ups ( there would be nine major fist fights in all), a bevy of beautiful women led by Kelly Lynch and some boisterous stunt work this was a Saturday night movie writ large!
Essentially it was a western with good guys and bad guys and the Roadhouse of the title the saloon bar and the horses replaced by the punters pulling up in their souped up cars. With the villain of the piece played by, of all people, Ben Gazzara known more for his earnest human dramas with actor/director John Cassavettes than broad commercial films. He played the part of being aloof and above all this mayhem even when off camera when finding himself surrounded by actors employed as much for their martial arts skills as their acting ability – even Elvis’ ex-security guard Red West had a minor role.
What Silver & Herring to put together was a rollicking Saturday night actioner that made a modest $30m and its continued popularity saw Joel Silver rebooting the film with Jake Gyllenhaal in the lead role in a crowd pleasing remake that deserved a big screen release instead of going straight to Prime Video.
Released on 4K UHD there’s wealth of bonus features that includes:
4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
• 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original lossless stereo and DTS-HD 5.1 surround audio options
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Mark Bell
• Double-sided foldout poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Mark Bell
• Double Deuce coaster
• Collector’s booklet featuring original production notes
DISC ONE – FEATURE AND EXTRAS (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY)
- Audio commentary with director Rowdy Herrington
• Audio commentary with Road House fans Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier
• A Conversation with Director Rowdy Herrington, an interview with the director about the genesis and making of the film
• ‘Pretty Good for a Blind White Boy’: The Music of Road House, a featurette on Michael Kamen’s score and blues musician Jeff Healey’s performance in the film
• Remembering Patrick Swayze, a tribute to Road House’s iconic lead actor
• On the Road House, a featurette where cast and crew members look back on the film’s success
• Patrick Swayze Profile featurette
• Original theatrical trailer
• Image gallery
DISC TWO – EXTRAS (BLU-RAY)
- I Did It My Way, an interview with second unit director and stunt coordinator Charlie Picerni
• Henchman #2, an interview with actor and stuntman Anthony De Longis
• Blonde Ambitions, an interview with actor Laura Lee Kasten
• Fightin’ Man, an interview with actor Roger Hewlett
• Ain’t Nothing Gonna Kill Me but Me, an interview with actor Travis McKenna
• Pain Don’t Hurt: The Stunts of Road House, a featurette on the stunts seen in the film
• What Would Dalton Do?, a featurette where professional bouncers show their appreciation for the film
• Selected interview soundbites
• On the Set, archival behind-the-scenes footage
All of these are very good but perhaps the standout bonus is the frankly stroke of genius that is the commentary track with Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier that alone makes the disc a worthy collection to any actions fans collection
related feature : ‘Havoc’ director Gareth Evans & stunt man Jude Poyer talk stunts, Tom Hardy and ‘How to’… advice
related feature : Taz Skylar tells us about his actioner ‘Cleaner’ with Daisy Ridley
Here’s the Road House trailer…….
