review: THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE (Ultimate Edition)

Dark Sky Films  //  Buy from Amazon.com It has been called “grisly,” “sick,” and “perverse," as well as “raw,” “unshakeable,” and “the movie that redefined horror.” It was attacked by churches, banned by governments, and acclaimed by only the bravest of critics. It stunned audiences worldwide and set a new standard in movie terror forever. In 1974, writer-producer-director Tobe Hooper unleashed The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, a dark, visionary tale about a group of five young friends who face a nightmare of torment at the hands of a depraved Texas clan. Today it remains unequaled as a landmark of outlaw filmmaking and unparalleled in its impact as perhaps the most frightening motion picture ever made. Dark Sky Films presents The Texas Chain Saw Massacre DVD like you’ve never seen or heard it before, newly transferred in High Definition from the 16mm camera originals, remixed in 5.1 and 2.0 Stereo Surround, and featuring never-before-seen Bonus Features produced exclusively for this definitive collection. For someone who is such an unabashed horror/gorehound, it's somewhat amusing to me that I can still pinpoint when I was first turned on to horror flicks, and what film did the turning. I was in my early 20s, already a fan of 70s & 80s flicks (but mostly cheesy comedies or action flicks), but I'd recently caught a spark of interest in the "Horror" section at my little independent video store. So, I walked down the aisles of that section (all 2 of them) to see what might catch my eye -- and there, before me in all its shoddy, worn, cardboard VHS sleeve glory, was "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre." I remembered the cover from my childhood video store (never brave enough to rent, but always fascinated by the title and the black & white illustration of Leatherface and the strung-up girl) and so, all growns up and ready to be man, I rented TCM for the first time, expecting some 70s cheese. Boy, was I mistaken. This was, and still remains, one of the most unsettling films I have ever seen. Sure, there are others that have scared me more - I would not say TCM is a "scary" film (as in give-you-nightmares scary). What it is is dirty, grimy, unsettling - your stomach twists and turns and you just don't feel right after watching it. Even now, having seen the film several times since that first viewing, I'm still bothered by the film - love it, respect it, admire it - but every single time I walk away from it, feeling like I need a shower and to watch "The Smurfs" to balance it out. It's a truly epic independent filmmaking effort - today, Tobe Hooper's name is synonymous with horror, but back in '74, he was nobody, just a guy with a dream & vision to make a kick-ass horror flick. Truly remarkable. What he was able to do with no budget, one location and a bunch of kid actors should serve as an inspiration to would-be auteurs everywhere. And pats on the back to Dark Sky Films for the quality of this DVD release - TCM has received a couple DVD releaess over the last few years (not including this one), and I was a bit surprised that someone would see fit to put out another version - but after watching this release, and comparing it to my other copies on DVD, they're going up on eBay, because this is the definitive version to own - the quality is breathtaking -- great job, Dark Sky folks. Video Restored and remastered to a beautiful 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, this is without a doubt the best that this film has ever looked. Originally shot on 16mm, released on VHS and multiple DVD releases before this one, the quality has gradually improved over the years... but this is a quantum leap - they seem to have massaged and milked every possible fleck of film to restore TCM to unheralded glory... letting you see that much more of the terror & carnage unleashed upon your TV... Audio Dark Sky delivers the Dolby 5.1 remix to this classic film and the results are outstanding. The haunting score and bleak soundscape howl in with remixed fury through your surround speaker set up and help take you away to that lonely Texas farmhouse of pain... Extras audio commentary w/ actors & art director audio commentary w/ Tobe Hooper & cinematographer & Gunnar Hansen trailers, tv & radio spots "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: The Shocking Truth" documentary "Flesh Wounds" documentary a tour of the TCM house w/ Gunnar Hansen deleted scenes & outtakes bloopers "The Shocking Truth" outtakes photo gallery Closing Thoughts The greatest horror film ever made + unbelievable assload of extras = THE DEFINITIVE RELEASE OF THIS GENRE-DEFINING FILM -- GO BUY IT NOW!!