The Texas Chainsaw Massacre - Original Uncut Edition [1974] [DVD]

For a film that has been the subject of more DVD editions than most, a Blu-Ray release was inevitable, but do we really need yet another edition, (a seriously ultimate edition no-less)?
Well, despite my initial scepticism, I'd argue that this latest release is actually quite justified.

Personally, I'm not always convinced that older, lower-budget films really benefit much from the hi-def treatment, and with its grainy 16mm picture, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre hardly seems like an ideal candidate for such a presentation.
So, the transfer on this latest Blu-Ray edition comes as something of a revelation. Yes, the picture is heavy with film grain and obviously it doesn't have the striking sharpness of a modern blockbuster and yet, the remastering has been so remarkably well done, with such richness of colour and surprising clarity of detail, that even within the circumscribed limitations of the source material, the hi-def format is a very fitting showcase for such a great presentation. Audio too is well-served with a choice of 5.1 DTS, stereo, or the original mono soundtrack.

As for the film itself, it hardly needs stating that it is one of the pioneering classics of modern horror cinema. Like Night of the Living Dead, another low-budget independent production, it has clear commercial considerations, but is elevated somewhat by how well constructed it is. The cinematography and art direction in particular are quite startling. Like many American films, it exploits the country's fear of it's own rural lower-class and explores the idea of dark secrets and depravity lurking beneath a veneer of homely familiarity - themes that were quite prescient at the time even if they've since become a little clichéd. Overall though, it has aged well and is still a powerful viewing experience.

Extras are ported over from the previous DVD version and consist of a generous offering of documentaries, interviews and 2 commentary tracks.
Unlike another reviewer here, my disc contained the deleted scenes, (although they are fairly inconsequential and brief) but is missing the stills and posters gallery. This is the only flaw though on an otherwise fine edition.

Having seen most of the very best horror films as a youngster in the 1980's, I never got to see this until it was finally lifted from it's ban in 1999 and I have to be honest, when I did see this for the first time, I was a little disappointed, I am now convinced that the reason for this was because of all the hype and the fact that I had waited such a long time to see it plus I watched it in the daytime (not a good idea for a horror film of this quality). I say this because everytime I have watched it since that disappointing first time, I find it more scary on every repeated viewing and I seem to appreciate it more and more as up until about two years ago (at the time of writing) this wasn't even in my top ten horror films, it definitely is now and it will probably stay there for the rest of my life.

This film has such a depressing and grim feel to it and to me this is all the scarier for it as a horror film, it is probably for this reason that some people find it boring because I did on first viewing. if like me you are a huge fan of horror movies and was disappointed with this on first viewing, not because of the lack of gore (if that is all you are interested in then watch the remake) but because it just didn't somehow do it for you, then I would urge you to watch this a few more times late at night as you might just change your opinion about it, I am sure if I can then other people can (I can't be that unique).

For me, it is the all less is more that makes this film scary and from the moment that the youngsters stop and investigate the ghost town like house in the unbearable heat of Texas, I always get a creepy feeling that someone is watching their every move and this is because of the genius directing of Tobe Hooper, I have seen the remake of this and don't find it anywhere near as tense and claustrophobic as this original, then there is that unforgettable ending, in my opinion this is the greatest last 3 minutes to a horror film ever.

It is no coincidence that most of the scariest horror movies are low budget and this is another one of them because most of the actors look tired and depressed because at the time of filming they really were and this is to their credit that they worked so hard to make this the classic that it now is. A little tip to any director that wants to make a classic horror movie, over produced means less scary, watch this as an example. OUTSTANDING HORROR.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is undoubtedly one of the scariest films ever made and its raw power remains undiminished to this very day. Made in the hot wastelands of Texas in 1974 with an incredibly low budget, director Tobe Hooper (Poltergeist) has somehow created a genuine fright machine which changed the face of the horror genre completely. The story revolves around a group of teenagers being chased, terrified and murdered when they stumble upon a canabilistic family in the countryside. The main character, Leatherface, has become one of the most notable villians in cinema history; his remorseless killings were loosely based on real life 1950's Texan murderer Ed Gein. You will know already whether this sort of film is for you - if you enjoy slasher thrillers and behind-the-seat suspense, this is the ticket. I stress however that this does not come beautifully presented or has special effects - it is filmed much similar to that of a documentary and is often described as 'gritty'. But don't let this put you off - this actually adds to the realism of the situation and makes it a much scarier experience. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a classic of its generation and deserves to be part of any respectable film collection. Just don't watch it alone.