Reviewed by Stuart O'Connor
Stars Marilyn Burns, Gunnar Hansen, Allen Danziger, Paul Partain, William Vail, Teri McMinn,
Edwin Neal, Jim Siedow, John Dugan, Robert Courtin | Written by Kim Henkel & Tobe Hooper
UK certification 18 | UK RRP £19.99 | Blu-ray Region A | Runtime 329 minutes | Directed by Tobe Hooper
Ah, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Probably the nastiest of all the so-called "video nasties" that were banned in the 1980s (although several countries also banned it when it was first released, including Australia and England). It's the film that probably kicked off the splatter genre. It's one of the most impressive horror films ever made – especially when you consider that it was made for almost nothing by first-time filmmaker Tobe Hooper.
Allegedly based on a true story (it wasn't, although it was loosely based on real-life serial killer Ed Gein), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is one of those films that you probably grew up hearing about, but never got around to actually seeing. It opens with five young people (one in a wheelchair) driving through an isolated area of Texas in a camper van. In need of fuel, they find themselves at a seemingly abandoned farmhouse. What then ensues has gone down in horror film history. Yeah, there's a lot more to the plot than that, but if you've never seen this film before, that's all you need to know going in. Actually, the less you know, the more you'll enjoy it. It's certainly not as gory as you'd expect, especially in these days of films like Saw and Hostel. But a real sense of evil pervades the whole film, especially when the chainsaw-wielding maniac Leatherface makes his appearance. It's certainly not to everyone's taste, but as a film that has been much imitated, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is not to be missed if you're in any way fond of horror films.
EXTRAS **** This Blu-ray release is pretty much the same as last year's 3-disc DVD Ultimate Edition (except for being on Blu-ray). Even though there's only the one disc here, the extra storage space on a Blu-ray disc means there's still lots and lots of bonus goodies. It is, of course, the remastered version, and there are again three different audio mixes - 5.1, 2.0 and the original mono. There's an audio commentary with Hooper, cinematographer Daniel Pearl and actor Gunnar Hansen, and a second commentary with actors Marilyn Burns, Paul Partain, Allen Danziger and art director Robert Burns. There is the documentary, called The Shocking Truth (including outtakes), and another documentary called Flesh Wounds. Plus a tour of the TCSM house with Leatherface himself, Gunnar Hansen. Plus interviews with Hooper and co-writer Kim Henkel, and an interview with actor Teri McMinn. And there are also deleted scenes, outtakes, alternative footage, TV and radio spots, and trailers. If you didn't buy the 3-disc DVD last year, and you own a Blu-ray player ... then what are you waiting for?