The Roller Blade Seven A Zen Film

THE ROLLER BLADE SEVEN
RETURN OF THE ROLLER BLADE SEVEN
LEGEND OF THE ROLLER BLADE SEVEN
and
HAWK: WARRIOR OF THE WHEELZONE
were created by Donald G. Jackson and Scott Shaw

STARRING:

• Scott Shaw, International Action Star and Martial Arts Master
• Karen Black, Academy Award Nominee and Golden Globe Winner
• Don Stroud, Clint Eastwood Co-Star
• William Smith, Clint Eastwood Co-Star and Ultimate Hollywood Bad Guy
• Joe Estevez, Indie Film Demigod
• Frank Stallone, Co-Star of such films as Barfly and Tombstone
• Jill Kelly, Adult Film Superstar in her first on-screen role
• Allison Chase, Emmy Winner
• Rhonda Shear, Host of USA's Up All Night and former Miss USA
• Donald G. Jackson also appears in this film as Reverend Donaldo

FROM THE VIDEO BOX:
The Future has arrived and all that is left is devastation and chaos across the land. “Hawk,” (Scott Shaw) a lone Samurai ventures across the wasteland in a quest to rescue his sister, a beautiful enchantress who has been kidnapped by the evil “Pharoah” (William Smith). Hawk and his Rollerbladers must face the fearsome “Black Knight” (Frank Stallone) and overcome the temptations of a roving band of seductive woman on blades. And, through it all, they must deal with the magical spells of the Pharoah’s evil ally Saint O’ffender (Joe Estevez). Hope gives way to despair, until Hawk and his band are befriended by unexpected allies; a good witch “Tarot” (Academy Award nominee Karen Black) and the bizarre “Desert Marauder” (Don Stroud). The Roller Blade Seven is a journey into a highly stylize, futuristic fantasy.

ON THE VIDEO BOX OF THE U.K. RELEASE:
The earth has become a planet of massive industrialization. Machines rule the world and perform all of the labour. Mankind is in decline. Violence is everywhere. “THE WHEELZONE” is a realm where the crippled evil overload PHARAOH (WILLIAM SMITH) rules with an iron fist. He believes that abducting young women will make him whole again. His spiritual advisor ST. OFFENDER (JOE ESTEVEZ) sends his killing hoards outside of the Wheelzone to capture the psychic Sister Sparrow from the Master of Light Institute, thus provoking HAWK (SCOTT SHAW), the only man capable of killing Pharaoh, into the Wheelzone. Hawk goes on a quest to save Sister Sparrow’s life. Once inside the Wheelzone, a place where there is no known word for “innocence” Hawk must battle through many deviant zones ruled by vicious gangs. He encounters DESERT MARAUDER (DON STROUD) and OFFICER DARYL SKATES (RHONDA SHEAR) who instructs him on survival in the Wheelzone.   

FILM FACTS:
ZEN FILMMAKING
THE ROLLER BLADE SEVEN AKA LEGEND OF THE ROLLER BLADE SEVEN and RETURN OF THE ROLLER BLADE SEVEN were the first two films created in the unique style of filmmaking known as Zen Filmmaking.

LOCATIONS:

• The ROLLER BLADE SEVEN and its sequel were filmed at several spectacular locations. They include:
• Bronson Cave. A great Hollywood landmark and shooting location that has been used in numerous films and television series including its use as The Bat Cave in the 1960s television series, Batman.
• The Sepulveda Dam. A functioning dam and filming location for such films as, Escape from New York.
• Vasquez Rocks. This location has been seen in numerous films including Donald G. Jackson's, Hell Comes to Frogtown.
• The L.A. River Basin. A location used in numerous films and television series.
• The Griffith Observatory. A Hollywood landmark and location used in such films as, Terminator.
• El Mirage Dry Lake where numerous films, commercials, and music videos have been shot; from the 1930s forward.

• The Roller Blade Seven was filmed on 16mm film. The primary cameras that were used were the Aaton XTR, the Arriflex BL, the Bolex Rex 4 with a 24p motor, and the Canon Scoopic.
• There was over one-hundred hours of actual filmed footage that was used to create the final edits of The Roller Blade Seven and Return of the Roller Blade Seven.
• Filmed on 16mm film, The Roller Blade Seven was blown up to 35mm film for its theatrically releases in Australia and the U.K.

• Filo Letal AKA Lethal Edge
• A Szamuráj útja AKA The Samurai Path
• Patinadores do Futuro AKA Skaters of the Future
• Brygada Siedmiu Mieczy AKA Brigade of the Seven Swords
• Las 7 Espadas del Apocalipsis AKA The 7 Swords of Revelation
• A görkorcsolya 7 legendája AKA The Legend of the Seven Skaters
• El Regreso de Los Roller Blade Seven AKA Return of the Roller Blade Seven
• El Regreso de los Guerreros Apocalípticos AKA The Return of the Apocalyptic Warriors

• Legend of the Roller Blade Seven
• Zen Filmmaking: Beyond The Roller Blade Seven
• Roller Blade Seven: The Unseen Scenes Explained
• Would You Ever Make Another Roller Blade Seven?
• The Roller Blade Seven: The Story of the Production
• Rollerblading Through the Apocalypse: A Look at Scott Shaw's The Roller Blade Seven
• Rollerblading into the Surreal: Return of the Roller Blade Seven and the Further Exploration of Zen Filmmaking

• The Roller Blade Seven on Tumblr
• The Roller Blade Seven on Blogger
• The Roller Blade Seven on Wordpress

The Roller Blade Seven DVD


The Legend of the Roller Blade Seven DVD
Legend of the Roller Blade Seven on YouTube


Return of the Roller Blade Seven DVD


Hawk: Warrior of the Wheelzone DVD
Hawk: Warrior of the Wheelzone on YouTube

Hawk: Warrior of the Wheelzone is a rare glimpse into the Zen Filmmaking legacy of Scott Shaw and Donald G. Jackson. This film is a unique reinterpretation of the Zen Film, The Roller Blade Seven. This version of the film was created by Scott Shaw when he went back into the footage from the original two films: The Roller Blade Seven and Return of the Roller Blade Seven and reconstructed a more Action-Adventure orientated feature. This was done at a time when Jackson and Shaw were seeking financing for the third installment of The Roller Blade Seven Trilogy, which was to be titled, The Wheelzone Ranger. To date, this third installment has never been filmed.

Roller Blade Seven Lite DVD
Roller Blade Seven Lite on YouTube
All the Art, None of the Nudity.

ALTERNATIVE VERSIONS:

A Szamuráj útja on YouTube
This is the Hungarian Release of The Roller Blade Seven.
This film presents a different version of the original feature.
Sometimes movies are better in a language you don't understand.


Re-Return of the Roller Blade Seven on YouTube

This film is an alternative version, edited by people outside of the primary filmmaking team: Scott Shaw and Donald G. Jackson who merged scenes from The Roller Blade Seven and Return of the Roller Blade Seven without the supervision or authorization of the filmmakers. This version of the film provides an interesting look into the re-thinking of The Roller Blade Seven. This film is provided as a means for the viewer to watch and study another, separate take on the storyline presented in the two aforementioned films. This is not the Director's Cut of the film Return of the Roller Blade Seven. Thus, it has been Re-Titled, Re-Return of the Roller Blade Seven.

ROLLER BLADE SEVEN ZEN DOCUMENTARIES:

Interview: The Roller Blade Seven Documentary DVD
Interview: The Roller Blade Seven Documentary YouTube Version
Interview: The Roller Blade Seven Documentary on Amazon Prime Video

The film, INTERVIEW: THE ROLLER BLADE SEVEN DOCUMENTARY, is a Scott Shaw Zen Documentary providing a rare behind-the-scenes look at the making of THE ROLLER BLADE SEVEN. Uncensored/Uncut.

Roller Blade Seven The Unseen Scenes DVD
Roller Blade Seven The Unseen Scenes YouTube Edited Version

During the 1991 creation of THE ROLLER BLADE SEVEN and its sequel, RETURN OF THE ROLLER BLADE SEVEN, the filmmakers: Donald G. Jackson and Scott Shaw shot over twenty-four hours of 16mm footage. Much of that footage was never used for the final edits of these two feature films. Narrated by Scott Shaw, this Zen Documentary explores the unused footage, has interviews and interactions with cast and crew, and takes the viewer behind the scenes of these Cult Film Classics.

Roller Blade 3: The Movie That Never Was DVD
Roller Blade 3: The Movie That Never Was on YouTube

This documentary presents a penetrating look into the filmmaking style of Donald G. Jackson, the evolution of the Roller Blade Series of films, and the first time Scott Shaw worked with Donald G. Jackson.

View the predecessors to Roller Blade Seven:

Roller Blade DVD


Roller Blade Warriors DVD
Roller Blade Warriors Information About the Film

SHOPPING:

To easily order multiple movies visit: The Zen Film DVD Shop.

The Zen Filmmaking Store for
The Roller Blade Seven Posters, Tee-Shirts, Cups, Towels, Pillows & More
Click on the Title or the Image

BOOKS:

The Roller Blade Seven: A Photographic Exploration
Step behind the scenes and witness the birth of Zen Filmmaking and the Cult Film Classic The Roller Blade Seven through hundreds of never before seen photographs.

Much of the dialogue in these films came from two books written by Scott Shaw:

Essence The Zen of Everything


Zen O'Clock: Time To Be
Donald G. Jackson, as Reverend Donaldo, read the introduction to Zen O'clock: Time to Be at the beginning of the Roller Blade Seven Wedding Ceremony. This book has been translated into several languages by international publishers.

Zen Filmmaking

Over the years there has been a lot of speculation about the characters, the true meaning of the scenes, the use of dialogue, and the creative process used in the creation of The Roller Blade Seven. To provide a detailed explanation of this film, Scott Shaw devoted a chapter in his book, Zen Filmmaking to explains the creation of this film. Click on the title to pick up your copy and find out what really took place.

Donald G. Jackson: Soldier of Cinema

There is a lot of information provided about the creation of the Roller Blade Seven and the mind of Donald G. Jackson is this book Scott composed.

Scott Shaw also presents additional information about The Roller Blade Seven in these books:

Independent Filmmaking: Secrets of the Craft


Zen Filmmaking 2: Further Writings on the Cinematic Arts


Zen Filmmaking 3: Expanded Writings on Creative Life and the Cinematic Arts


The Screenplays

The Roller Blade Seven became the first Zen Film—meaning no screenplay was used in its creation. Prior to the commencement of filming, however, the filmmakers: Scott Shaw and Donald G. Jackson did set about on a traditional course of filmmaking for the movie. As such, Scott Shaw wrote an extended treatment for the film. To read the original concept for the movie, which is vastly differs from the final film, check out Scott Shaw's book, The Screenplays. This books also presents other screenplays created by Scott Shaw.

OTHER AUTHORS:
Here's an overview of the some of the (many) books where Roller Blade Seven is discussed:

Showgirls, Teen Wolves, and Astro Zombies: A Film Critic's Year-Long Quest to Find the Worst Movie Ever Made
There is an entire chapter in this Great Book devoted to Scott Shaw and Zen Filmmaking. The chapter is titled, Shaw for Sore Eyes.
There is also a great section titled, Roller Boogers, where the author discusses the films of Scott Shaw and Donald G. Jackson including Roller Blade Seven and Return of the Roller Blade Seven.


The Bad Movie Bible: The Ultimate Modern Guide to Movies That Are so Bad They're Good
Fun review about The Roller Blade Seven in this Great Book.


Destroy All Movies!!! The Complete Guide to Punks on Film
This book provides an interesting extended review of RB7. Though the reviewer focused on the VHS release (which is different from the DVD release) of Legend of the Roller Blade Seven and confuses the character played by Don Stroud with that of Joe Estevez. Nonetheless, it is amusing.


The Psychotronic Video Guide To Film
This book also has an extended review of The Roller Blade Seven. Though this author somewhat confuses the title and the release history, it too is humorous.


Encyclopedia of Film Themes, Settings and Series
This book details background on Donald G. Jackson, Scott Shaw, and The Roller Blade Seven.


Science Fiction Film Directors, 1895-1998
This book has a chapter devoted to Donald G. Jackson and discusses Donald G. Jackson, Scott Shaw, and the creation of The Roller Blade Seven.


Joe Estevez: Wiping Off the Sheen
This great book finds Joe Estevez discussing many of the films he was involved with including The Roller Blade Seven.

Roller Blade Seven has also been discussed in numerous other books. These titles include:

• The Art of Movies
• Horror and Science Fiction Films IV
• Cheesy, Sleazy, Mixed-up Astro-Zombies
• Millennium Movies: End of the World Cinema
• Popular Fads and Crazes Through American History
• Cult People: Tales from Hollywood's Exploitation A-list
• Total Cults: How to Love Movies You Probably Shouldn't
• So Bad, It's Good: More Than 50 Great Films for Your Bad Movie Night
• What Were They Thinking: The 100 Dumbest Events in Television History
• Sci-fi on Tape: A Complete Guide to Science Fiction and Fantasy on Video
• Up All Night: From Hollywood Bombshell to Lingerie Mogul, Life Lessons from an Accidental Feminist

• Variety
• Fangoria
• Draculina
• B-Movies
• L.A. Times
• Film Threat
• L.A. Weekly
• Psychotronic
• Imagi-Movies
• Trash Cinema
• Shock Cinema
• Femme Fatales
• Cinefantastique
• Oriental Cinema
• Sight and Sound
• Backyard Cinema
• Screen International
• The Hollywood Reporter
• Sight and Sound Magazine
• The Itawamba County Times
• Film Video Telewizja Kino (Poland)

MUSIC:

The Roller Blade Seven: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack on Spotify
The Roller Blade Seven: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack on Bandcamp
The Roller Blade Seven: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack on Apple Music
The Roller Blade Seven: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack on Amazon Prime Music

SPECIAL THANKS:

Special Thanks to Jim Vorel and Paste Magazine for naming The Roller Blade Seven as #27 of the Best B-Movies of All Time.

BUSINESS CARD:

Here was my business card back in the days of RB7.

ASK ME:

From the moment The Roller Blade Seven was first released, over twenty-five years ago, there has been an enormous amount of discussion about this film. There are some very funny reviews out there in magazines, books, and on the internet about this film. A few of the published reviews and discussions are detailed above. As the online reviews come and go we no longer link to them. There was even a couple of music videos made by using the footage from this film many years ago and one recently. The fact is, though a lot of people speak about and discuss this film, (both loving it and hating it), much of the discussion about the creative process and the mindset employed to make this film is incorrect. What people assume happened did not actually occur. Even some of the cast and crew members have gotten it wrong when they have spoken about this film to the media. As they were not there through the whole process of production and post production, they could not have truly understood our process. With the passing of Donald G. Jackson over a decade ago, I am the only person left who knows the truth about the creation of this film and its sequel(s). So, if you want the facts, ask me.

PUBLICITY AND PRODUCTION STILLS:

Fun in the Production Office:

Scott Shaw, Rhonda Shear, Donald G. Jackson


Donald G. Jackson, Jill Kelly, Scott Shaw.


Jill Kelly, Mark Williams, Scott Shaw.




Traci Lords stopping by the office to receive samurai sword lessons from Scott.

Behind the Scenes:

Kabuki in Makeup.




Scott Shaw and Karen Black on the set.


Scott Shaw and Frank Stallone on the set with Ron Chapman in the background.


Scott Shaw and Rhonda Shear on the set.


Jill Kelly, her first time on a movie set.


Sam Mann, Kabuki, (Claudia Scholtz), William Smith, Allison Chase, and Scott Shaw.


Karen Black preparing for a shot.


Don and the Ninja Girls.

Some of the Production Team:

The Original Roller Blade Seven:

There has long been a discussion about why there was not actually a crew of seven members in the Roller Blade Seven. We explain this as Roller Blade Seven is the ultimate level of human consciousness in Return of the Roller Blade Seven. But yes, originally there were the Roller Blade Seven. Here is a photograph of the actual Roller Blade Seven on the first day of filming. Most of these characters never made it past the first weekend of production, however.

Poster Shoot Studio Samples:

Donald G. Jackson, Allison Chase, and Scott Shaw on completion of the first weekend of filming, October 1991.


Frank Stallone and Scott Shaw, January 2017. The Roller Blade Seven Lives!


Scott Shaw and Joe Estevez 2023.


Here's the cover for the DVD: RB7: The Roller Blade Seven Trilogy
This is where The Roller Blade Seven, Return of the Roller Blade Seven and Hawk: Warrior of the Wheelzone were all released together.


Here's the original DVD Box for the release of The Legend of the Roller Blade Seven.


Here's the Video Tape Box for one of the Latin American releases of Roller Blade Seven, Filo Letal.

Roller Blade Seven Puzzles:

Did you ever want to put together a Jigsaw Puzzle of the Roller Blade Seven?
If you did, Pixels is now offering puzzles and other items from the Roller Blade Seven and other Scott Shaw Zen Films.

Music Videos:
Over the years there of have been some bands that have used the footage from Roller Blade Seven to create their music Videos. Here are a few examples on YouTube:

• Valuemart - Born to Kill
• Skinny Puppy - Addiction
• Nakpat - Icy Kettle Pie

All Photographs Copyright © 1991 and 1992—All Rights Reserved