Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Tobe Hooper, 1974) (Merged)

[Count Yorga]

Im planning to get a copy of Texas chainsaw massacre but cant decide wich release is the best ?
The region 2 has the "shocking truth" documentary, but from what ive heard has a flawed picture.Does anyone know if the Pioneer reg 1 is better ?
/J

[CJ34]

The Pioneer R1 DVD utilises the same incorrect master as used (I think) on the R2 SE. As far as I know, the only DVD that used the correct master that was fixed by Don May Jr and co was the original Blue Dolphin R2 release. Oh, and I think (but I'm not sure) the R4 release uses the correct master too.

I'm sticking with my Blue Dolphin disc, as that seems to be the best version available.

[demented_uk]

The region 4 disc of TCM is the only one that has an anamorphic transer. It has all the extras from the recent region 2 release, including the excellent documentary THE SHOCKING TRUTH.

The transfer is far from perfect with some digital artefacting problems but it is very cheap. I'm happy with it.

[Mark Y]

For anyone who hasn't seen it, this link to the Digital Bits review of the Pioneer TCM includes info on the problems with the transfer:

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/reviews/texaschainsawmassacre.html

[CJ34]

And for those who aren't aware, Play.com are currently knocking out the R2 SE for a measly £6.49.

[SicCoyote]

I noticed that but wasn't sure whether to get it as I have the pioneer release that I got in 99

[andy]

Or there is the new Transfer out in a few days


Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The - 30th Anniversary Complete Uncut Special Ed (1974)

Overview:
The ultimate version of a classic horror film. Painstakingly restored from the original 16mm ECO negatives, this special edition presents Tobe Hooper's classic film as you've never seen it before. Now... step into the twisted world of the ultimate dysfunctional family and rediscover the total madness of the "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Click the actor or director's name to view a list of their other titles

Starring: Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger, Paul A. Partain, William Vail, Teri McMinn, Edwin Neal, Jim Siedow, Gunnar Hansen ....and others
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL CAST LIST

Directed By: Tobe Hooper

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Genre(s): Drama, Horror
Rated: UNRATED
Year: 1974
DVD Release Date: October 14, 2003
Regional Coding:
Region 1 - USA & Canada - Will only play on North American Region 1 or multi-region DVD players.
Number of Discs: 1
Subtitles:
Screen: Widescreen letterbox - 1.85:1
Sound: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
Running Time: 84 minutes
Studio: Pioneer
Catalogue Number: 12115
UPC Number: 013023211599

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Special Features:

Additional Scene(s)
Audio Commentary(s)
Closed-Captioned
Color
Deleted Scenes
Digitally Remastered
Gag Reels
Original Theatrical Trailer(s)
Prodution Art &/or Photos

Additional Features:
New widescreen digital superscan transfer supervised by director Tobe Hooper

Commentary by director Tobe Hooper, director of photography Daniel Pearl and actor Gunnar Hansen (Leatherface)

Alternate footage

:D

[SicCoyote]

Arn't I glad I didn't buy that dvd now

[SicCoyote]

AW but I just realised it doesn't have the documentary, so I'll have to buy the other one anyway.

Also is the Leatherface DVD uncut anyone? as I just noticed that has been released on Region 1

[MarcMorris]

LEATHERFACE includes the unrated and R rated versions on the same disc.

[SicCoyote]

Cool, off topic but I've just realised that my box set of Back To The Future is out of frame, and Universal has made a version THREE, Universal suck.

gotta find where to send my discs back to.

[SicCoyote]

HAHAAHAA, I just noticed if you search for the new release of texas chain saw massacre it is under genre 'Sci-Fi' I guess the cover does give that impression.

[SicCoyote]

dvdboxoffice com

that is

sorry

[wilfy]

Hi,
I want to get the original texas chainsaw massacre on dvd and was going to get the special edition by universal but have saw that universal have released an original uncut version on 22.3.04,is this the S.E repackaged or a new version?hope somebody can help.
Cheers,
Wilfy

[Midnight Buddha]

This was just a re-release.

Get the 2 disc uk edition.

You can get it cheap at play

[wilfy]

Thanks Midnight Buddha,i've just ordered it from play for 6.99,thanks again for the help.
Cheers,
Wilfy.

[claire]

It's not 2 discs. It's all crammed on to 1 disc (still brilliant at that price).

[Midnight Buddha]

Yes sorry my mistake, i always seem to do that with that release.

It`s a cracking disc though, you`ll love it Wilfy.

[wilfy]

Thanks for all your help,i'm looking forward to getting it,i'm also thinking of getting the 2003 remake of it to and was wondering whether the r1 version is better than the r2 version as i was going to get the r2 version from cdwow with the money off vouchers,hope you can help and thanks again!
Cheers,
Wilfy :)

[irons]

The region 1 and region 2 double disc set of TCM 2003 are exactly the same. Play.com doesn't list it as a 2 disc set but it is.

[irons]

OOOPS, just found out the region 1 set has a few extra trailers on it, also it has a collictible cover and cards.

[wilfy]

Thanks for the help irons,i'm going to get the r2 version from cdwow,with the money off coupons it'll only be 11.99,thanks again.:)
Cheers,
Wilfy

[daviddunne]

Originally posted by irons
OOOPS, just found out the region 1 set has a few extra trailers on it, also it has a collictible cover and cards.

I think the dvd rom stuff is missing on the R2 as well.

[irons]

True, but most of the so called DVD rom extras just hook you up with the official web site. We can all do that anyway so mostly it's kinda pointless.

[Sci2k]

Originally posted by daviddunne
I think the dvd rom stuff is missing on the R2 as well.
Dammmmmmmm pointless;)

[Sci2k]

What you heard was true, now from New Line Cinema comes the motion picture just as realy and just as shocking as everyone thought...The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

I love saying that.......

Anyways lets get on with this review....

Marilyn Burns .... Sally Hardesty
Allen Danziger .... Jerry
Paul A. Partain .... Franklin Hardesty
William Vail .... Kirk
Teri McMinn .... Pam
Edwin Neal .... The Hitchhiker
Jim Siedow .... Drayton Sawyer (Old Man)
Gunnar Hansen .... Leatherface/Bubba Sawyer, Jr.
John Dugan .... Grandfather Sawyer
Robert Courtin .... Window Washer
William Creamer .... Bearded Man
John Henry Faulk .... Storyteller
Jerry Green .... Cowboy
Ed Guinn .... Cattle Truck Driver
Joe Bill Hogan .... Drunk

Tagline: Who will survive and what will be left of them?

Plot Outline: A group of hippies travelling through 1970's Texas fall prey to a trio of murderous brothers and their cannibal grandparents.


Certification: Argentina:16 / Australia:R / Canada:R / Chile:(Banned) (re-rating) (1978) / Chile:18 (original rating) / Denmark:15 (video release) / Finland:K-18 / France:-16 / France:X (original rating) / Ireland:(Banned) (original rating) / Ireland:18 / Netherlands:16 / Norway:(Banned) (video rating) / Norway:18 (re-rating) (1997) (uncut) / Sweden:(Banned) (1984) / Sweden:15 (2001 re-release) (uncut) / Sweden:15 (re-rating) (1994) / UK:(Banned) (1974-1999) / UK:18 / USA:R / West Germany:18 / Hong Kong:III / South Korea:18


This film has got to be one of the most scaryeist things made on film. This movie has blood, terror and of corse chainsaws.
I realy liked this one. The build up to it was unbarabell...but finaly in 1998 british horror fans got to see it. There was great screaming from Marylin Burns and great dircting from Tobe Hooper.If you have not seen this classic yet then plese do.
If you don't then you will probably end up regreting it.The dvd has some great special features including a 72 min documentary about all the TCM films.
So go on a get it now !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Film Rating : 10/10

[Vaughan]

--There was great screaming from Marylin Burns--

Yup, tis some great screaming. She's done quite a bit of Oscar worthy screaming in Helter Skelter, Eaten Alive, and Boogeymen: The Killer Compilation.

She also did Kiss Daddy Goodbye, but her screaming was not so good in that one. In Future-Kill she hardly screamed at all, which is a waste of a good screamer if you ask me.

[agent cooper]

marlyn burns performance in TCM is incredible.she really does look like she's scared sh**less in fact i would go as far to say its the best ive ever seen.:)

[the dude]

I recently bought the Universal special edition of this film in an amaray case rather than the cardboard slip case but there was no poster and collectible bookleton the film in it like is in the slipcase version.

Can anyone confirm if the amaray cased versions have these?

[mbellishment]

You dont get a poster with the DVD... you have to send a cheque for £2 to a company in Leicester, but the offer ended 31 December '03.
I dont know about the amaray case DVD, but I got my collectable booklet with the cardboard sleeved DVD, and its really nice.

[claire]

I'm glad you've posted this query.

I have the digipack with the booklet and poster offer, but was seriously considering buying the keepcase release (just because they're more durable - I hate cardboard packaging).

But I guess I'll stick with the release I have, for the sake of the booklet.

[the dude]

Claire, you could always buy the amaray and put the booklet from your other one in that.

And if you get a booklet in your amaray you'd have two and you could give one to me (for a small price). :D

[FYFILMS]

Just looking at DVDCompare's listing for TCM, 'cause ever since I got the Pioneer, then the Force, then the Universal UK version on DVD, it's bugged me rotten that Hooper's much-vaunted 'rethinking' of the lighting schemes has screwed up the atmosphere of the film. I've got great memories of the original VHS from the early 80's, and the original trailers on all the DVD's represent that pretty well, but not the feature itself - which as the packaging proudly maintains has been tinted according to Hooper's revisionist specifications. I know the film will never look perfect, but compare lighting in the scene on the original theatrical Trailer (such as in the scene when the first victim meets Leatherface) and you'll see a great example of the damage done by the tinting. For me they've made the film look worse for trying to class it up. Anyway, Dvdcompare now list a Scandanavian 2-disc set including both Family Portrait and Shocking Truth documentaries AND a separate 4:3 version of the film. Does anyone out there have this version (CODE: 7319980033131) so they can fill me in on it?

[James Lee]

I actually haven't bought this film yet. Was thinking of getting the R4 DVD which is anamorphic but I've heard the transfer is bad. From all accounts, it seems the same version was used for all current DVDs

[FYFILMS]

Yeah, I've got the second R4 release (from Force - the 2-disc set, not the Deluxe set with the extra documentary) and it's got awful picture quality. Save yr money, I think.

[Vaughan]

Isn't this getting a reissue in R1 soon? I've always known it, basically, as it looks on current DVD - and I'm happy with that :)

[Myersfan73]

I'm sure i read that Grindhouse are working on a new special edition of TCM :D

[Madman]

Yeah - they are going to release it in about 8 years - just after Cannibal Holocaust!

:p

[Mr_Bungle]

I've also heard about a forthcoming R1 2 disk set. Apparently the classic doc (can't remember the name - its the one on the current UK disk) has had an extra ten mins added to it, and i wouldn't be surprised if a 4.3 version of the films was also included.

[strozek]

I've also heard about a forthcoming R1 2 disk set. Apparently the classic doc (can't remember the name - its the one on the current UK disk) has had an extra ten mins added to it, and i wouldn't be surprised if a 4.3 version of the films was also included.


The documentary is called The Texas Chainsaw Massacre:The Shocking Truth and it is indeed a classic! :)

[James Lee]

Maybe not possible at the moment with the rights but I think it'd be great if AB could release this film in an anamorphic transfer with the original colour - the current DVDs were re-tinted by Tobe Hooper which in my opinion spoils the look of the film.

[Leatherface]

As you can probably tell, I am a huge TCM fan. But what I would really like is a S.E. of Part 2, including the deleted scenes (reincorporated or otherwise), so we can see how Tobe meant to make the film. I hear that the fullest version available currently lasts for 111 minutes, but is only on VHS!

Now, if AB were somehow able to lease all 4 movies (excluding the dreadful remake, of course), and come up with a super boxset, that would just be incredible, but, surely, it will never happen. Shame, because Part 2 deserves much better treatment than it currently has.

[Rich]

I'd also love to see TCM Part 2 get a decent DVD release.As for the remake,I thought it was pretty good.

[zanner]

yeah, i liked the remake too... :cool: ...zanner.

[Companero]

The deleted scenes from TCM2 were on the old Elite laserdisc - and they weren't very good, anyway.

[Beautifulwound]

Deleted scenes or not, TCM2 DEFINITELY needs a S.E. release, with a commentary and documentary/cast and crew interviews at the very least. A featurette on the makeup effects would be very nice too.

And Leatherface, bite your tongue! A boxset with the first 3 films would be cool, but the 4th?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek: :D

[Leatherface]

Come on, though, just for the sake of completism.

[Beautifulwound]

I repeat, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

It grates on my nerves so much that if I watched it again I'd end up looking like a pile of parmesan. :eek:

If it HAD to be included, then only as an impossible to find easter egg :D

[anephric]

If anyone's interested, SKY Movies are currently running TCM2 anamorphically.

I'd love to see this with all the gore (including that famous Fango cover shot) stuck back in, but Cannon destroyed the negs, didn't they? Only some of it survived on VHS...

[the dude]

R4 has The Texas Chainsaw Massacre with an anamorphic transfer. Check out reviews though as I've read the picture quality is awful.

Isn't a special edition anamorphic version coming soon on r1?

TCM 4 is just plain bad. I got the DVD cheap but I wanted to tear my eyes out when I watched it.

Renee Zellweger is lucky she carved a successful career after this turkey

[James Lee]

The R4 uses the same restoration as the other DVDs. It's poor cause it's NTSC-PAL and interlaced.

"Renee Zellweger is lucky she carved a successful career after this turkey"

Wasn't TCM4 held back till after Jerry Maguire was released?

I'd love to see Part 2 released in a SE - and Tobe Hooper's other Cannon Classics, Invaders From Mars and - awesome film, this one - Lifeforce. Since Sony now owns MGM, wonder if AB could take the Cannon stuff off Sony's hand.

[SicCoyote]

I've still got my old Pioneer disc of the first film, still haven't seen the need to upgrade, I don't watch the film enough I guess.

[RandyMcfelch]

I sure I hears somewhere that Hooper confirmed that TCM2 was never finished.

Impatient fiscally challenged Cannon shut the film down took the film off him and cut it themselves...so there was never a directors cut as such. Don't think he ever got anywhere near the editing room

[Tony0]

Although TCM2 isn't the finest film of Tobe Hooper's career it's still worthy of a SE dvd.
I'd like a documentary and a commentary explaining how things went wrong during the production of the film.
I own the R2 MGM dvd edition *shudders*.
The finish product is a disaster & I don't blame Hooper for that. Cannon screwed him over royally.
I feel sorry for Tobe Hooper when I think about his career.

Oh is the Toolbox muders remake any good? I haven't got round to seeing it yet. I was thinking of picking up that impressive ABUK dvd.

[anephric]

I wouldn't call TCM2 a disaster - Cannon may have performed a hack job on it but what's in there is still pretty interesting: fans of the first may hate the stylised, satiric direction L.M. Kit Carson took the franchise in, but I find it deliriously entertaining - having Leatherface as a horny, sexually frustrated teen is brilliant. The soundtrack's dementedly fun too. Spielberg called it one of the best films Dennis Hopper's ever appeared in.

[Tony0]

I wouldn't call TCM2 a disaster - Cannon may have performed a hack job on it but what's in there is still pretty interesting: fans of the first may hate the stylised, satiric direction L.M. Kit Carson took the franchise in, but I find it deliriously entertaining - having Leatherface as a horny, sexually frustrated teen is brilliant. The soundtrack's dementedly fun too. Spielberg called it one of the best film Dennis Hopper's ever appeared in.

Spielberg said that? He's a fan of Tobe Hooper right?

I'm more of a fan of the original i have to say.
The film is entertaining don't get me wrong, but Hooper's original cut would have been so much better.

[anephric]

Spielberg said that? He's a fan of Tobe Hooper right?


Well, since he hired him to do Poltergeist, one would imagine so. But the less said about that the better...

[Peter Neal]

For some reason, I tend to like "Leatherface" better than TCM 2 nowadays. While the Savini gore is great, some of the supposed "humour" is very repetitive and starts to get on my nerves. Caroline Williams is great though, so is Bill Mosely. :D

[Leatherface]

I reall like 'Leatherface' too, more than TCM2. It's a flawed film, but it's good and nasty, and satisfies.

Caroline Williams was one definite reason to watch TCM2 though, she was toooo hot. Had great legs. And that scene of hers with Leatherface (you know the one!) strangely arouses me!

[anephric]

Caroline Williams is great though, so is Bill Mosely. :D

In a Vida De Gadda, by Iron Butterfly! Oh, Mr. Shark! Ex-it!

He's brilliant in this - I remember Savini making up some amusing crap at the time that Chop-Top's metal plate was actually real, because the actor who played him had most of his skull removed by a bullet in Vietnam!

Can't say I liked Leatherface much - if you want to talk about a film that got absolutely gutted, read Schow's original script (or the comic adaptation that was so gutsy it got pulled from store shelves) - the final film is a rather tedious, bloodless wonder by comparison - there's barely any chainsaw choppery at all! But hey, it's got Viggo.

[Leatherface]

anephric, what of this comic adaptation? Do you have it? I have never heard of it. I take it from your commments that it is no longer available. That's a shame. Do you think I could find it on ebay?

[anephric]

I've got it - it sold out very quickly and was removed from a lot of stores in the US & UK because it's amazingly, amazingly gory and obscene :) It has David Schow's insults in their full, unfettered glory ("Suck the snotty end of my ****stick!").

I believe the R1 dvd has extracts from the comic in the special features, though i could be wrong...

http://members.fortunecity.com/neoxtrinity/leathercomic.jpg

EDIT: There's an auction for Issue #1 on eBay as we speak. I *think* there were three issues. It's been a while since I read it last.

[Leatherface]

Wait a second, do you mean it was a series of comics, and not just a one off adaptation? I would like to know this, as I am considering putting in a bid on ebay.

[Companero]

I remember there was a short series of 'Leatherface' comics to tie in with the theatrical release of Part III in the US. I may still have a couple of them, though putting my hand on them is a different story :)

[Leatherface]

OK, I don't think I'll bother with the ebay item then.

After all, I don't really see the point in owning one of a series, particularly when it may not even be the first one.

[anephric]

It was definitely a series, I think of three, that adapted David Schow's original script rather than being based directly on the movie (hence is far more brutal).

That is the first issue in that auction, btw.

[mrb]

the North Star comic adap was a 4-parter : NON-STOP BLOOD SPURTING ACTION...IN FULL COLOR.

in the intro to N0.4 this:

"Just 'cause the movie story is over, don't think for a minute that we'd deprive you of America's homegrown, retarded, chainsaw-slinging monster! We're continuing the series with original, brand new stories."

North Star also put out a CHAINSAW 1 adap......it has a lovely painted cover portrait of the Gunnar Leatherface.

don't know if there were further adventures of our 'retarded, chainsaw-slinging' chum?

[anephric]

I think there was a Jason Vs. Leatherface book.

[Bulbatron]

Maybe not possible at the moment with the rights but I think it'd be great if AB could release this film in an anamorphic transfer with the original colour - the current DVDs were re-tinted by Tobe Hooper which in my opinion spoils the look of the film.


That's quite interesting. I didn't even know it had 'original colour'. What's the difference between the two versions then?

Assuming I did it right, this is the first time I've ever 'quoted' from somebody! Woopee!

[anephric]

The NTSC LD had the "correct" (as in original) colour, I believe. People still chase after it.

[john]

To wear my colours on my sleeve, I think TCM4 is immensely entertaining. I just love McConaughy's power legged performance and the whole EC comics look of the thing...never mind the yoke running about with the chainsaw. :D

[SicCoyote]

The NTSC LD had the "correct" (as in original) colour, I believe. People still chase after it.
Isn't the Pioneer disc a transfer of the LD?

[Bulbatron]

The NTSC LD had the "correct" (as in original) colour, I believe. People still chase after it.

So what exactly, is the difference? I've got the UNIVERSAL R2 DVD. How exactly is the colour different.

God, look at me! I've got 'quoting-crazy' now!

[James Lee]

The colour is unusual shades that wern't there. Sorry, I can't give you a visual comparison but if you find an old tape of the film and compare, you'll see the difference

[SicCoyote]

I thought that Evil Dead since it's remastering from the negative has lost some of it's colour, I swear my old VHS has more tinting.

[James Lee]

I found that with quite a few VHS - but I think that was just the colour bleed/bloom caused by chroma noice. For an example, my sister was disapointed with some of the colour on the Disney DVDs becuase she was so used to seeing the dominant reds and blues that were caused by chroma noice.

Funny how a topic on the "pornography of terror" - as James Ferman called it - can go to Disney!

[SicCoyote]

Ah but I'm talking about stuff like where it was originally tinted to blue to give the impression of night, but in the remasted version is a full clear natural colour, looking more like there is an artificial light souce. I noticed this comparing a TV airing of Critters with the VHS version, although I think it was the other way round the TV version was blue but on the video you could see the full colour of the pink wallpaper.

[WilsonBros]

Hi guys,

If you are interested - the people at Synapse performed a remastering job on The Texas Chain Saw Massacre a while back, to be used for a future release. There was talk of a new R1 release before the end of the year, but it looks as though this will now not be the case.

The new edition WILL be anamorphically-enhanced, along with a 5.1 remix. So, at least everyone who has been wanting a definitive DVD release of the movie will eventually be able to get it - it's just a question of waiting...

We have the laserdisc releases of the first three 'Saw movies (including the expensive two-disc edition of the original). It was a bummer that Saw 2 wasn't anamorphic, and that the transfer was a little lacklustre. The laserdisc of it at least had some of the deleted scenes, even though the quality is pretty poor - the original elements were destroyed, as Cannon had quite a shocking reputation as far as archiving material was concerned. There's some amusing material in the deleted scenes, but much of the dialogue was rerecorded and included in other scenes to tighten the pace a little.

Leatherface was a disappointment, but considering the **** it encountered at every stage of the production, it's a wonder that the finished movie saw the light of day at all. If anyone's interested, a link to our review of Leatherface can be found here...

Be gentle if you read it - apparently a certain Mr Burr has read it...

http://www.r2-dvd.org/article.jsp?sectionId=4&articleId=6475

THE WILSON BROS

[Rich]

I bought Leatherface:TCM III on the strength of your review over at R2 Project,I picked it up in Morrisons for £2.99. ;)

[WilsonBros]

Why, thank you, Rich! :)

It makes it all worth while when we hear a comment such as yours.

Did you ever read the Leatherface comic book? It's much closer to the movie that David J Schow had in mind.

THE WILSON BROS

[SicCoyote]

Just for the 25th anniversary of your posts, I just feel I should point out we all know who you are it says at the top of your post

Sic Coyote
:D :D :D

[WilsonBros]

We know, but it's how we always sign off when posting on forums (or should that be fora?)

Besides, it's brand recognition! LOL!

THE WILSON BROS

[Grant]

Never hurts to have a bit of double impact I say. Use your name as a weapon! :D

Grant

[WilsonBros]

Precisely!

LOL! With ours, people tend to run screaming!

The Wilson Bros

[Myersfan73]

Just got Henry Portrait Of A Serial Killer 20th Anniversary MPI release, inside was a coming soon leaflet & listed on it was The Texas Chain Saw Massacre as coming soon ! Anybody know if this is the long awaited S.E ? :confused:

[Andrew Green]

Just got Henry Portrait Of A Serial Killer 20th Anniversary MPI release, inside was a coming soon leaflet & listed on it was The Texas Chain Saw Massacre as coming soon ! Anybody know if this is the long awaited S.E ? :confused:

Yes it will be the SE. We could be waiting a while though. I spoke to a rep from the company at a convention back in August. He told me the release date could be as much as a year off (Sept 06). Hopefully he was just being overly cautious with the estimate.

[anthony123]

Did anyone know texas chainsaw massacre is on tonight channel 4 11.40pm.
Will this be shown uncut or not??

[Companero]

There's nothing to cut, mate. I'm pretty confident that it'll be shown complete and has done so before.

[anthony123]

Brilliant. I already have the special edition uncut DVD of it so i think i might also tape the channel 4 version of it just incase.

[Jonny Rojo]

Brilliant. I already have the special edition uncut DVD of it so i think i might also tape the channel 4 version of it just incase.

Just incase what? :confused:

[anthony123]

Just incase if anything happens to the DVD i have the tape from channel 4.

[WilsonBros]

Hopefully it will be this year that the brand-new copy of TCM will finally be released - the remastering of which was done quite a while back, with an anamorphic transfer and a newly-mixed 5.1 soundtrack.

The guys at Synapse did the remasting job - not sure about the extras, but hopefully they'll come up with something pretty cool. We did hear that Marilyn Burns & Paul A Partain recorded a new audio commentary (before he passed into the great void).

Time will tell.

THE WILSON BROS

[MarcMorris]

I tink in all probability it will be one of the first horror films to come out in Hi-Def on DVD.

[WilsonBros]

ARRRGH!!!!!

Another sodding format that most certainly won't be backwards-compatible!

It's Laserdisc all over again! :eek:

THE WILSON BROS

[MarcMorris]

I've not looked forward to a new format like this one since DVD. Roll on HD!

[WilsonBros]

We look forward to the superior quality, Mr M, but it's the tragic "double-dip" syndrome...

THE WILSON BROS

[MarcMorris]

You'd better get used to that! It will be well worth it for the quality upgrade IMO.

[Brian]

What does everyone think of the REMAKE? Personally I liked the original better. The remake's characters lacked personality compared to the original.

[Vaughan]

I happened to watch the remake last weekend. It gets worse with multiple viewings - I didn't think it was terrible, but wasn't too impressed first time around. After this last viewing I'd go as far as to say it's quite bad. Goodness knows what a further viewing would lead me think. Basically it's noisy, with a naff soundtrack, and girls in bad costumes.... yuk

[Companero]

I’ve only sent he remake once – and that was when it was first released on DVD a couple of years ago. I actually liked it and it got me thinking. I absolutely love the original now and think it’s a very effective horror film but having heard all the whispers about it as a kid, when I finally got around to watching it (when I was 14), I was so disappointed. Watching the remake, I thought to myself of how I would have been really impressed if it had been that version I’d seen when I was younger.

You may be right about the film diminishing upon subsequent viewings, Black but as I said, I’ve only seen it once and thought it was a good ‘ride’ – nothing more. The original is a true classic and I really don’t think it’s aura of dread and the macabre could ever be replicated.

[Rich]

I agree with you Comp,I've seen the remake once and really enjoyed it.I must admit,I was pretty disappointed after watching the original 1974 film for the first time.After sitting through gore drenched classics like Zombie Flesh-Eaters and Cannibal Ferox,I was expecting a whole load of blood & guts,limbs being chainsawed off,etc.But now I can appreciate the rough edged rawness of the original a whole lot more.It's a classic in my book,and Tobe Hooper's best film by far. :)

[Companero]

Tobe Hooper's best film by far. :)

While I agree with you completely Rich, that snippet from your last post is hardly an accolade, is it :D

[jockfun28]

I enjoyed them both to be honest they both have very different things to recommend the orginal is more about the power of suggestion, i was the first person as soon as i heard of the remake to think oh no why are they remaking this(especially after sitting through the 3 sequels which failed to create any sort of impression on me at all) but i was pleasantly surprised when i fianlly saw it was very in your face & had a completely different story to it (characters were different, Deaths etc similar to Dawn of the Dead remake) all i can say is roll on the prequel as even that will have to be a huge improvement over the original sequels

[Anthony1uk]

While I agree with you completely Rich, that snippet from your last post is hardly an accolade, is it :D
I would have to disagree. Polterguist is bar far and away Mr Hoopers best film.

It is in my opinion easily the scariest PG film in history. And for a film maker to make a film that pants wettingly terrifying and get it out as a PG is something of sheer brilliance. I would honestly rate it only behind the shining and the changeling as the most scariest film ever made. And it still holds this accolade no matter how many times you see it.

Work of genius in my opinion.

[jockfun28]

Trivia alert Tobe Hooper allegedly worked very closely with the MPAA in order to get a PG certificate for Texas Chainsaw Massacre i wonder what went wrong

The PG certificate on Poltergeist was due more to Stephen Spielberg he appealed when it got an R ratin saying it would be the kiss of death to the film & that it was a kids film(Yeah Right) & that he had never had a film released with an R rating he was successful & they passed it as a PG, 2 years later was a different story the MPAA got into hot water over passing Gremlins & Temple Of Doom Uncut with PG's which lead to the creation of the PG-13, as parents objected to the violent undertones of both films

[Companero]

I would have to disagree. Polterguist is bar far and away Mr Hoopers best film.

It is in my opinion easily the scariest PG film in history. And for a film maker to make a film that pants wettingly terrifying and get it out as a PG is something of sheer brilliance. I would honestly rate it only behind the shining and the changeling as the most scariest film ever made. And it still holds this accolade no matter how many times you see it.

Work of genius in my opinion.

Apparently, a lot of Polterguiest was shot by executive producer Steven Spielberg.

Not a bad film but there are certaily better supernatural horror films around.

[Anthony1uk]

Not a bad film but there are certaily better supernatural horror films around.
If so i would honestly really apreciate some good suggestions. As all my favourite films seem to be this genre of horror.

I.E Shining, the changeling, the sentinel, polterguist, white noise, ring to name only a few. All classics which i would honestly name in my top 50 films.

Thanks
Anthony

[Anthony1uk]

2 years later was a different story the MPAA got into hot water over passing Gremlins & Temple Of Doom Uncut with PG's which lead to the creation of the PG-13, as parents objected to the violent undertones of both films
No way in hell should gremlins be a PG. That microwave and blender scenes are some of the most shocking in film history (and that is someone who has saw practically all of the cannibal films and the men behind the sun quadrilogy).

[Companero]

If so i would honestly really apreciate some good suggestions. As all my favourite films seem to be this genre of horror.

I.E Shining, the changeling, the sentinel, polterguist, white noise, ring to name only a few. All classics which i would honestly name in my top 50 films.

Thanks
Anthony

The films you mention are all great but have you seen 'The Entity', Anthony? That's a great film and allegedly based on the 'true' story of an American woman that was repeatedly raped in her home by a poltergiest.

The Shining is still the best, though...

[Anthony1uk]

The films you mention are all great but have you seen 'The Entity', Anthony? That's a great film and allegedly based on the 'true' story of an American woman that was repeatedly raped in her home by a poltergiest.

The Shining is still the best, though...
Yes i have, i own it on DVD too. It was recommended to me a very long time ago just after i had saw Timecop for the first time by my auntie who was a big fan of Ron Silver.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

[jockfun28]

Is true check on the imdb parents reacted very angrily to it not realising it was a horror film & dragged their children out of it screaming, hence why when Gremlins 2 was made they tried to lighten the tone slightly it still got a PG-13 & still got complaints off parents groups, dont forget 1984 was the year of Silent Night Deadly night & they picketed outside any cinema's showing that, They also objected in 1992 to Batman Returns & kicked off at Macdonalds who were using the film for their Happy Meal promo

[Companero]

No way in hell should gremlins be a PG. That microwave and blender scenes are some of the most shocking in film history (and that is someone who has saw practically all of the cannibal films and the men behind the sun quadrilogy).

Gremlins was marketed around the cute and cuddly Mogwai and there was sticker albums and toys to tie in with the film. I was only 9 when the film was released in cinemas and I really wanted to see it and was astounded when I found out it was a 15. But true, there is no way the film should have been a PG – even without some of the gorier scenes, it’s still quite menacing for kids…

[Companero]

Yes i have, i own it on DVD too. It was recommended to me a very long time ago just after i had saw Timecop for the first time by my auntie who was a big fan of Ron Silver.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

Hmmm - there are probably more, obscure films - I'll have to get back to you :)

[mic]

Personally I think that Gremlins is fine viewing for kids; I saw it when I was five or six and thought it was great! Same for the sequel. Lest any of you forget that many children like horror/violence and don't have any problems with it.
Nil By Mouth however is not recommended for the wee ones; neither are Henry portrait of a serial killer or Last house on the left.
Or Watership Down.:D

[anthony123]

Did anyone watch the 1974 version on channel 4 last night at 11.45pm??
Did anyone notice any cuts??

[jockfun28]

I noly watched the first few mins of it to see if they were using a clearer print than the Universal version but was very surprised to see that the scene wheer Pam goes into the house looking for Kirk had a few scratches on it which makes me wonder where they sourced the print from

What bits were cut incidentally

[WilsonBros]

Gremlins was marketed around the cute and cuddly Mogwai and there was sticker albums and toys to tie in with the film. I was only 9 when the film was released in cinemas and I really wanted to see it and was astounded when I found out it was a 15. But true, there is no way the film should have been a PG – even without some of the gorier scenes, it’s still quite menacing for kids…

We were 11 at the time Gremlins came out, and even though it was a 15 here, it was still heavily marketed at kids. We had things like the sticker album (gawd bless Figure Panini) along with a few other bits & pieces (the French photo-storybook was composed before the final edit took place, and included pictures from the Judge Reinhold "vault" scene and others) but we actually got in to see the movie, it becoming the first film of that certificate we bluffed out way into. That there was a courting couple really going for it a few seats away began to fuel our suspicions about just why anything over a PG were so popular.

Gremlins still holds the record for the amount of complaints from angry parents, but not for the decapitations, meltings or microwave mayhem in it, but the infamous "Santa speech" was the one the garnered it this accolade. We can clearly remember dear old Wincey Willis holding a Mogwai in her hand as part of the world exclusive look at "the new ET", with her other hand contractually obliged to be held over the body, with only the ears on show. On the run up to the movie, Warners cynically used Spielberg's name attached to the project to sell it as a follow-up to his blockbuster, with the fallout afterwards being somewhat legendary.

Drifting gently back on topic, we looked at the opening of the screening of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre on C4 last night, and was surprised to find the print sporting the French title-card before it started up, exactly as it did when we saw it at a local cinema in 2000. We suspect that as the movie was spectacularly badly recieved when it came out over there, that the garlic-based lifeforms stayed away in their droves, leaving the freshly-minted prints in pretty good condition as they were not played much. So when time came to get good prints, France was the place to go. It is worth noting that the Haw-he-haws have had a 5.1 DVD copy of the movie for quite a while now.

THE WILSON BROS

[anthony123]

Doesn't the old man (not the grandfather in the chair who's already dead) suppose to get killed off at the end when sally manages to jump out of the window and the hippy gets run over and chainsaw man starts waving around??

[jockfun28]

No just the Hitchiker squished under the truck that will teach him for chasing a defenceless lady & stabbing her in the back :D

[anthony123]

Does anyone know why this film was banned in the first place??
I know some scenes are a bit scary but it must have been down to the bastards at the bbfc??

[jockfun28]

It was considered too intense dur to the power of suggestion, ie u dont sctually see anybody get slaughtered in stefan jaworzan texas chainsaw massacre companion hooper was aiming for a PG , however the fuore it created in America Ferman thought it was too disturbing & people would start cutting each other up ( Bear in mind this was a year after the Exorcist & all the stories surrounding people claiming to have been leftdisturbed by it) so they flew over the film's editor to shorten the scene's they objected too & even after cutting the BBFC agreed it hadnt diminished the film's power to shock so it remained banned but the GLC granted it a certificate so it could be shown in London

Hope this helps

[anthony123]

Isn't Ferman the man who cut scenes on all the famous horror films such as texas chainsaw massacre,last house on the left,nightmare in a damaged brain and dont answer the phone??

[jockfun28]

Yeah Mary whitehouse's partner in crime because we are just all such delicate souls who shouldnt be allowed to make an informed decision on our own & watch what we want in the comfort of our own homes i rejoyced when he finally stepped down in 1999, as a side note he objected that strongly to New York ripper he had police escort all the prints out of the country

He also wanted to cut 22 mins out of TCM 2 which Cannon finally abandoned all plans to release but that wasnt officially banned

Leatherface tcm III was just rejected but that may have been for different reason's

[anthony123]

I think ever since James Ferman decided to leave the building a few films have finally been release uncut under new management thank god!!!

So Ferman must have thought according to them as a mature adult you are still deemed to be just to idiotic to be able to differentiate between fantasy and reality and we are expected to turn into a psychotic killer,rapist,chainsaw lunatic after viewing banned films. (Did it happen to any of them at the bbfc i wonder???)

[jockfun28]

I think the judging panel's were only allowed to do 3 years, but in those days it was only cinema exhibition that films had to be certified for, on the advent of video it was decided people could make up there own minds on what they watched in their own homes which led to companies like Vipco releasing 2 versions strong uncut & cinema version, other companies didnt bother they just released them uncut of course 1984 saw the DPP & we all know what happened there thanks to Mary Whitehouse & her followers complaining that people were watching filth & depravity with no censorship in their own homes the shock of it all, some where even prosecuted even though they were considered none nasty by the BBFC including Evil Dead & The Burning, films such as TCM & the Exorcist, straw dog's etc were just removed as it was clear they were never going to get a video certificate

[the dude]

Hopefully it will be this year that the brand-new copy of TCM will finally be released - the remastering of which was done quite a while back, with an anamorphic transfer and a newly-mixed 5.1 soundtrack.

The guys at Synapse did the remasting job - not sure about the extras, but hopefully they'll come up with something pretty cool. We did hear that Marilyn Burns & Paul A Partain recorded a new audio commentary (before he passed into the great void).

Time will tell.

THE WILSON BROS

Wilson Bros, check this out:

http://www.horrorchannel.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=4435

They are working on an anamorphic special edition of Eaten Alive too!!

[mrb]

the horror channel = THC.

nice.

[zanner]

or TCM...turner classic movies...:cool: ...zanner.

[tall dude]

Or DAB..... DEAD AND BURIED. [YEAH, THIS IS GETTIN' A LITTLE SILLY]

[HonorarySawyer]

Hate to dredge this old thread up again folks, but if AB ever think about releasing a special edition of TCM 2 I'd really like to see some content on "All American Massacre" - the prequel by Tony Hooper and starring Bill Moseley. But from what I hear it was binned close to completion - it'd be nice to see a doc on Saw 2 that covered this though. Any thoughts??

[Companero]

Hate to dredge this old thread up again folks, but if AB ever think about releasing a special edition of TCM 2 I'd really like to see some content on "All American Massacre" - the prequel by Tony Hooper and starring Bill Moseley. But from what I hear it was binned close to completion - it'd be nice to see a doc on Saw 2 that covered this though. Any thoughts??

Welccome to the forums, mate :)

The film is owned by Sony/MGM, so it's not something ABUK can licence, unfortunately...

[paramanjara]

Am I the only one who thought Texas Chainsaw the Next Generation was terrible? I mean for starters its got Matthew Mconnaghy (sp?) and that Bridget Jones woman in it! And yet again its a rehash of the original story. A few nice ideas but generally stupid. It plays more like an episode of Neighbours than a horror film! I'd be more scared of Harold Bishop tapping at my window!

[James Lee]

I think you'll find everyone will agree with you!

[CJ34]

I'm probably the only person alive who enjoyed TCM: The Next Generation. I thought it was a lot of fun, myself. I think others like it too, but it's considered fashionable to hate it, so they don't publicly admit to it. ;)

[WilsonBros]

We haven't seen the abridged version that was released most places - we have only seen the fourth Texas Chainsaw Massacre once, and that was almost exactly ten years ago.

THE WILSON BROS

[paramanjara]

I don't think people dislike TCM: TNG because its fashionable to. I speak personally when I say its because its utter t*ss.

The Leatherface in it is awful. Such irritating whining, squealing noises, not like the disturbing almost pig-like guttural voice of the original Leatherface.

And all that jive about secret government departments experimenting in terror or whatever the hell it was is just silly. But then the film plays like a Carry On film (Carry on Cutting? Carry On Chainsaw? Carry on Leatherface?) anyway...

What I have always found interesting about the TCM films though is unlike most 'series' of horror movies from Hammer's Dracula and Frankesntein movies to Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the Nightmare films there is no progression of story. With the exception of the first and second TCM movies. And this is more to do with Jim Siedow returning to play the Cook than anything else. Each film features a dinner scene which replays as a version of the original.

Each movie seems to have sought to re-invent the concept rather than progress it. Unless there are at least three or four cannibal families in Texas with a son called Leatherface who has a Chainsaw fixation.

[Brian]

Am I the only one who thought Texas Chainsaw the Next Generation was terrible? I mean for starters its got Matthew Mconnaghy (sp?) and that Bridget Jones woman in it! And yet again its a rehash of the original story. A few nice ideas but generally stupid. It plays more like an episode of Neighbours than a horror film! I'd be more scared of Harold Bishop tapping at my window!

It wasnt bad but was probably the worst one. The remake is second worse though.

The Bridget Jones girl was in TCM NG BEFORE she was in BJD! Anyway who cares? The Lord of the Rings boy Frodo is in Green Street! Who cares! Paris Hilton in House of Wax? Who cares!

Anyway, just think of NG as a spoof and you'll like it more, just like Wishmaster 4. Does anybody agree that Leatherface at the end when he's waltzing with the chainsaw looks like The Vicar of Dibley Dawn French? ha ha! :)

[WilsonBros]

We thought that the remake was abysmal - we had avoided watching the thing, but we had to see it because we were writing an article on recent remakes.

THE WILSON BROS

[paramanjara]

Oh I much prefer the remake than TNG. I liked the colour saturisation, the whole general look was good, and R. Lee Ermey was great in it.

I only called her the Bridget Jones girl because I couldn't remember her name! haha. Thats how little she figures in my mind!

I am actually looking forward to the prequel to the remake (god these things can get confusing!) it looks as though R. Lee Ermey will feature prominantly in it.

Yeh I guess if I view TNG as a comedy I'd enjoy it more, but the thing is I did... but I didn't. Its definately up there in my top ten of bad films. And there is something incredibly irritating about Matthew McConaughey.

[Brian]

At least its not dull, boring and depressing like the remake.

I'm glad some people agree that the remake is crap.

[paramanjara]

True, but to be honest I'd rather that then bland, pointless and b*ll*cks :rolleyes:

[mrb]

Coh, how about that bit in CHAINSAW where they find the teeth on the porch?!....

okay, slightly tenuous, but can anyone help me with this (completley serious) question :

Why would there be human teeth, including the roots, in my backgarden?

It's disturbing me, should i be digging for bodies?!?

:confused: .

[SicCoyote]

It's your garden I guess you can dig for what you like.

It sounds a bit suss to me.

[mrb]

It's your garden I guess you can dig for what you like.

It sounds a bit suss to me.

i think it's odd, the other half says someone 'threw them away'? What, with the roots? They don't look damaged but the roots are quite long, so i'm assuming they're fully grown. They're deffo not animal teeth. Has anyone else here ever turned up human teeth when they've been gardening? Thanks.

[NPC]

Why would there be human teeth, including the roots, in my backgarden?

Sure they're not sheep teeth? If they are human bear in mind the earth you're digging has been there quite a while. All sorts of old stuff turned up in the garden of one house I lived in. Perhaps your house is on top of a plague pit and soon the dead will rise.

[Wayne]

Guys, I have watched TCM a few times but I don't actually own it on DVD and its one I plan to get. What is the best version to get and don't mind region 1 or 2.

Thanks

Wayne

[aga2k1]

There is a new SE coming from Dark Sky Films in America in September which looks like it'll be the best release.
Nothing on their site (although I could swear there used to be) but I found these specs.

•Anamorphic/Enhanced for 16x9
Newly Restored from the Original 16mm Elements
Mastered in High-Definition
•Dolby Digital: English 5.1 Surround, English Stereo, Restored English Mono
•All-New Commentary with Marilyn Burns, Alan Danziger, Paul A. Partain, and Production Designer Robert A. Burns
•Original Commentary by Director Tobe Hooper, Director of Photography Daniel Pearl, and Leatherface
•Deleted/Alternate Footage
•Promotional Galleries
Disc 2
•Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Shocking Truth
US Debut of The Acclaimed Documentary
•All-New 2006 Retrospective by Red Shirt Pictures

Here's the cover from Amazon
http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/9540/b000fs9fe401ss500sclzzzzzzzv50.jpg

[Wayne]

Thanks, looks like thats the one I will be waiting for.

Wayne:D

[Rich]

I may have to flog off my Universal R2 release for that one. :)

[Wayne]

I may have to flog off my Universal R2 release for that one. :)

Get it up on E-bay, you know it makes sense.:D

[Vaughan]

"Mastered in hi-def".

This would make a sweet first hi-def purchase :)

[MarcMorris]

A lot of telecine work done now is done on Hi-Def, then down converted to standard def for DVD. Expect to see a flurry of titles old and new hitting HD-DVD or Blu-Ray later on.

[CJ34]

I'm still waiting to see signs of a UK HD player being made available...I haven't as yet. Or is there one available, that I'm unaware of?

And just to clarify, because it takes a while for things to sink in with me - will HD be comparative right across the board? That is to say, will it eliminate once and for all the whole NTSC vs PAL nonsense?

[Vaughan]

Hey, I got my 42" hi-def (1080i) Plasma from my buddy. You guys don't want to know my views on this model :mad:

[Takeshi666]

Let's face it, HD treatment isn't going to do worth crap to old films that looked horrible in the first place. The only movies that are going to gain any advantage of the new formats are the ones that are in pristine condition (and the ones that were shot in HD in the first place); grainy old films shot on 16mm aren't going to look so much better that an upgrade would be necessary.

Like Last House on the Left for example. The picture is so soft and grainy that no HD treatment is going to make it look better.

[christats]

I did a sinful thing last week as I have mentioned.I bought an LCD TV that isn't HD Ready.It does have an HDMI input though.A sharp Aquos.
Considering the fact that I have no intention to get a £300 SKY HD box and pay £52 or whatever a month,the Standard Texas Chainsaw DVD on this TV will do me fine.
Newer films look mighty fine on it.
A vast improvement on a poxy little tv and a video tape of it.
I would like to hear about how wonderful Black's plasma screen is.:)

[Vaughan]

--I would like to hear about how wonderful Black's plasma screen is.--

When I have more time mate. People might think I'm a bit of a t*sser, but I tell it as I see it. I have a nice hi-def ready plasma that I'm damn glad I never paid for. More detail soon.

[Grant]

Great stuff Black! :D please tell us more details. I saw a plasma in the awful Dixons shop that looked terrible.

Grant

[SicCoyote]

I want to hear more about Black'the tosser':p 's rubbish TV :)

I agree with the 16 mm won't look better comment but not about old 35mm, they difference will be less but still worth it, for the extra horizontal resolution and the better compression.

I still have the OLD pioneer disc of TCM I don't really watch it enough to justify a new disc, maybe on BluRay.

[NPC]

New editions:

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2-Disc Ultimate Edition) (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000FS9FE4/mondoerotico)

and:

Texas Chainsaw Massacre SKIN MASK edition 2 disc (http://www.chainsawvideo.nl/) (search for "skin mask")

[Leatherface]

Any official news on the 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2: S.E.' DVD yet?

[the dude]

Does anyone have the R4:

http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/777817

If so, what is the picture quality like, as it is an anamorphic transfer? I know there is a two disc R1 that is also anamorphic but that has sound problems.

[James Lee]

It's a very poor NTSC-PAL transfer from all accounts

[CJ34]

but that has sound problems.

How so? Mine sounded just fine - I thought the 2-discer from MGM on R1 was excellent. Nice sharp anamorphic transfer and the sound was great, from what I recall. In my opinion, anyway.