Directed by Tobe Hooper
Review by David Carter


Released by Dark Sky Films
Running Time: 84 minutes
Rating: R
Color format: Color
Audio/Subtitles: 5.1 Dolby Digital, 2.0 Stereo, Mono English/English and Spanish Subtitles
Region Code: 1, NTSC
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1
16:9 Enhanced: Yes
Special Features: Disc One: TV & Radio Spots, Commentary by Marilyn Burns, Paul Partain, Allen Danziger and Robert Burns, Commentary by Tobe Hooper, Daniel Pearl, and Gunnar Hansen; Disc Two: FLESH WOUNDS documentary, Tour of the Sawyer Family house by Gunnar Hansen, Deleted Scenes & Outtakes, Bloopers, Still Gallery, “Making Grandpa” featurette, TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE: THE SHOCKING TRUTH documentary, THE SHOCKING TRUTH outtakes
Trailer Online: Yes

Without a doubt, THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE is one of the most important horror films of all time. Actually, few films of any genre can lay claim to such a lasting popularity and pervasive influence. THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE ushered in a new age of realism in horror. Taking a cue from EASY RIDER from a few years prior, director Tobe Hooper made a film that heavily influenced by the rapidly growing cynicism of an America who had seen the Summer of Love era give way to the Manson Family murders and the Vietnam War. While the film was a unique product of the cultural time period that created it, Hooper touched on many elements that were timeless and universal. THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE’s impact has not been dulled by time, as evidenced by Dark Sky Film’s new two disc ULTIMATE EDITION of the film.

Sally and her wheelchair-bound brother Franklin are traveling with three friends to visit the grave of their grandfather in rural Texas. They are concerned that his grave may have been disturbed after hearing news reports of a recent rash of grave robbings and vandalism in the cemetery. While traveling the endless back roads, the group picks up a hitchhiker who turns out to quite insane, injuring Franklin and giving them all a good scare before they kick him out. The group eventually stops off at the now-abandoned house where Sally’s grandfather used to live, and each teen breaks off from the group to reminisce, fool around, or look for gasoline. Kirk, the young man looking for gas, finds a lot more than he bargained for when he follows the sound of a generator to a decrepit house. He’s stumbled onto the home of the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface and the rest of the Sawyer clan, and what’s more, he’s walked into a world of terror from which neither he nor his friend may ever escape.

Part of the initial shock caused by THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE was due to the film’s marked departure from conventional horror film format. The film wasn’t the first example of the innovations on the horror formula, but it was one of the first to tie these new concepts together so well. Rather than aliens from another world or ancient supernatural killers, Leatherface and his brood are all too human. Audiences were faced with the uncomfortable idea that humans could perform such horrors on other humans; a far more “real” terror than an implausible werewolf or vampire. The realistic nature of events leaves the audience with the thought that this could actually happen to them, a concept lacking when giant lizards or mummies are involved.

MASSACRE represented another shift in the established horror in the way it treated its characters. The film lacks a hero figure, another aspect that shocked audiences. In this void, the villains of the film by default become the central characters; not a new concept, but one which had yet to be explored to such a large degree. DRACULA and FRANKENSTEIN had long been the “stars” of their films, yet they were always bested in the end by the hero. THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE has no such victories. The audience is not given closure at the end of the film, instead they are left with a feeling of unease from a glimpse of a world where evil is unpunished and where the “good guys” don’t win, but merely survive.

Dark Sky Films has released a new two disc ULTIMATE EDITION of THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE that sees the film get a treatment worthy of its important place in horror and cinematic history. Immediately noticeable is the remastered print of the film which is far and away the best looking version of the film available. Transferred from the 16mm original print of the film, the new high definition transfer is enough of an improvement to justify a purchase even if you already own the film on DVD or VHS.

If the improvements to the picture and sound weren’t enough to convince you to pick up Dark Sky’s release, the over two hours worth of bonus material should definitely cause you to reconsider. The feature comes with two commentary tracks: the first is a new one featuring Marilyn Burns and other cast members, while the second has director Hooper and Leatherface himself, Gunnar Hansen which is carried over from the previous Pioneer DVD release. There is an impressive amount of footage from the production of the film, including both deleted scenes and bloopers from filming. Older fans of the film will likely enjoy the inclusion of TV and radio spots from the 1970s promoting the film. The set is packaged in a ‘Steelbook’ DVD case which is the size of a regular DVD case, yet it has a metal outer shell with the cover printed on it and clear insides which expose photos on the inside. Other releases like BOONDOCK SAINTS and DUNE have used the same type of case giving it a very sturdy look and feel that regular cases can not duplicate.

The centerpieces of the bonus features are the two feature-length documentaries. TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE: THE SHOCKING TRUTH is 2000 documentary focusing primarily on the making of the film as told through the eyes of the cast and crew. Despite the wealth of information available on the film, this documentary contains a lot of information about the production and the influences of the film that even die-hard fans will be eager to hear. FLESH WOUNDS, a 2006 documentary, also takes a look at the making of the film, but also examines the film’s legacy. There is a well done sequence of fan interviews where horror fans speak about their reasons for enjoying the film. FLESH WOUNDS also contains tributes to the cast members who have recently passed away, such as Paul “Franklin” Partain.

THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE is one of a rare breed of films that managed to redefine its genre. Dark Sky Films’ ULTIMATE EDITION of the film is the most anticipated and important horror film DVD release in a long while. It does not disappoint and is easily one of the top DVD releases, horror or otherwise, of the year. No doubt most horror fans have seen the film countless times already and likely already own a copy of it as well. Dark Sky’s DVD is impressive in every regard and one of the few times when a new release improves enough over previous versions to warrant its purchase.