The package offers two Blu-rays, of both the U.S. theatrical cut - on a dual-layered Blu-ray - and the German "uncut" version on a single-layered Blu-ray disc. There is little difference between the two 1080P presentations - both with the same bitrate - and I still haven't figured out any major differences between the two cuts. There is a bit of gloss and an occasionally impressive image with tight lines and vibrant colors. It looked very decent in the widescreen. No complaints.

Rollercoaster was one of the films that offered 'Sensurround' theatrically. Sensurround worked by adding extended-range bass for sound effects. The low-frequency sounds were more felt than heard, providing a vivid complement to onscreen depictions of earth tremors, bomber formations, and amusement park rides (as in Rollercoaster).  The audio for the 'Theatrical' Blu-ray is transferred in linear PCM (16-bit) in 2.0 channel with the 'Unrated' getting a similar 2.1 in DTS-HD Master. There aren't an abundance of depth that I noted but certainly the effects - scream and rides - come through boisterously via the lossless. The score is by Argentinean Lalo Schifrin (famous as the guy behind the Mission: Impossible theme as well as Charley Varrick, Day of the Animals, Hit!, Man on a Swing, Tango and many other films) which supports the film very well there. You can also hear snippets of the fair and amusement park tunes plus musical numbers by Sparks (Big Boy, Fill 'Er Up) as well as Hello! Ma Baby and the Stars and Stripes Forever. The audio is good if not the floor rattling you might have heard in a theater. There are optional English subtitles on both Blu-rays which are Region 'B'-locked.

Supplements include an audio commentary with Allan Bryce and David Flint (only on the theatrical version) with some fond recollections of the 'disaster' flics of the 70's. It is quite informative. The 1970s: A Rollercoaster of Disasters is a new 22-minute documentary on Rollercoaster and the era of disaster movies, with film historian Simon Fitzjohn. Enjoyable. There is also a dozen-minute interview with Associate Producer / Writer Tommy Cook and the package has a booklet that includes Fear Factor: The Anatomy of a 1970s Thriller by Scott Harrison and Sensurround - A Rollercoaster Ride by Allan Bryce.

These 70's disaster film have their own charm with big name stars of the past and an accelerated level of tension. Rollercoaster is not my favorite but it certainly 'whetted my whistle' for more of the more marginal efforts of the genre. This is a stacked Blu-ray package - two cuts in HD, commentary, documentary and booklet. Great job 101 Films! Keep'em coming!  

Gary W. Tooze