It might be hard for some viewers, especially younger horror fans, to understand just how fresh and influential Tobe Hooper’s TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (83 mins., 1974, R; Dark Sky Selects) was at the time of its release – but the hardcore horror fan who does will want to head over to Dark Sky’s website for one of the most lavish limited edition physical media offerings in recent memory. A Dark Sky site exclusive, this spectacular 50th ANNIVERSARY CHAINSAW EDITION is adorned with a mini-chainsaw replica, a VHS copy of the film and more extras than any Leatherface fan could shake his cleaver at.
The movie itself, from John Larroquette’s opening narration (a role he reprieved in the longer cut of Hooper’s 1985 so-bad-it’s-good classic “Lifeforce”) through its free-wheeling camera work and bursts of violence, is a bona-fide independent classic of its kind. Hooper’s no-nonsense direction brings the audience alongside heroine Sally (Marilyn Burns) and friends as they run into a family of Texas cannibals including its legendary villain Leatherface; the movie is short, unadorned and still impactful today – despite remakes, sequels, misfired offshoots and other successors that never delivered the same kind of punch to the gut this movie does.
This spectacular Dark Sky box is big on its packaging exclusives but let’s quickly dive into the disc content you get here. “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” has been remastered many times and Dark Sky/MPI produced a solid 4K UHD of the movie last a year ago that’s carried over here. Graded with Dolby Vision HDR and sporting a Dolby Atmos mix, “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” offers gains in its detail level and contrast on UHD though, naturally, the source elements of the production will always limit its visual potential (not necessarily a bad thing given the picture’s gritty texture and subject matter). The Atmos mix is a good option for those seeking a broader soundstage than its original mono, which is also offered here (1.0) alongside a 2.0 track.
Supplements have been carried over from the 2016 Blu-Ray and are bountiful, starting off with four different commentaries: one from director Tobe Hooper, “Leatherface” himself Gunnar Hansen and cinematographer Daniel Pearl; a cast commentary featuring Marilyn Burns; and two 2016 commentaries with Hooper and another with cinematographer Daniel Pearl, editor J. Larry Carroll and sound recordist (and later Full Moon filmmaker) Ted Nicolaou. The included Blu-Ray bonus disc also offers multiple documentaries; the “Friedkin/Hooper” conversation between Tobe Hooper and William Friedkin; deleted scenes and outtakes; bloopers; a Horror’s Hallowed Grounds featurette; and radio/TV spots and trailers.
Exclusive to this new release are a pair of featurettes that are self-explanatory: “The Merchandising of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “The Restoration of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” – but it’s the deluxe packaging where this package truly shines.
Dark Sky’s 50th Anniversary package offers a replica of Leatherface’s chainsaw with audio once you pick it up and shake it around. There’s also a genuine, new VHS copy and an exclusive 50th Anniversary O-Card, with the box-set available exclusively through Dark Sky’s website.
Also New & Noteworthy
THE ADVENTURES OF OZZIE AND HARRIET: VIDEO SCRAP BOOK DVD (MPI): Two-disc DVD set contains nearly six hours of featurettes and rare content. Included here are three featurettes, cast sponsor commercials, vintage promo spots, Nelson family home movies, an Ozzie & Harriet radio show, and plenty more – a fitting tribute to the 14 season run of one of the legendary TV sitcoms.
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