Texas Chain Saw Massacre: 40th Anniversary (US - DVD R1 | BD RA)
Multiple versions of the horror classic are planned for its 40th Anniversary release
Title: Texas Chain Saw Massacre: 40th Anniversary
Starring: Gunner Hansen
Released: 16th September 2014
SRP: $99.98, $49.98, $29.98, $24.98
Further Details:
In honor of 40 years of Leatherface and his family scaring the pants off of viewers, Dark Sky Films will be re-releasing Tobe Hooper's masterpiece,
Quote: It's been imitated and remade, but never equaled. Tobe Hooper's
In addition to the Limited Deluxe 'Black Maria' Edition, the film will also be released as a standard DVD, Blu-ray, and DVD/Blu-ray Combo Pack on September 16 at retail outlets nationwide.
This 'Black Maria' Deluxe Edition and the 40th Anniversary Blu-ray Combo Pack Collector's Edition will include:
Collector's Edition Bonus Disc:
The standard edition, single disc Blu-ray and DVD releases will include the new transfer and all audio options, including the four commentary tracks.




News by Gabriel Powers
Starring: Gunner Hansen
Released: 16th September 2014
SRP: $99.98, $49.98, $29.98, $24.98
Further Details:
In honor of 40 years of Leatherface and his family scaring the pants off of viewers, Dark Sky Films will be re-releasing Tobe Hooper's masterpiece,
The Texas Chains Saw Massacre
, on Blu-ray and DVD.Quote: It's been imitated and remade, but never equaled. Tobe Hooper's
The Texas Chains Saw Massacre
rose from a notorious 1974 sleeper sensation to rank as one of the greatest horror films ever made. Now, to mark the film's 40th anniversary, Dark Sky Films is presenting the digitally re-mastered masterpiece on Blu-ray for the first time in a stunning Limited Deluxe 'Black Maria Collector's Edition box set.The Texas Chains Saw Massacre
appears in an all-new 4K digital transfer and with a newly created 7.1 surround sound mix supervised by director Tobe Hooper. This release marks the only transfer of the film to go back to the original 16mm A/B rolls, the actual film that rolled through the cameras. The Limited Deluxe 'Black Maria' Edition will be released at retail in October but will be available exclusively at www.gorgon-video.com for 30 days starting September 16, 2014. Fans of the film will recognize the unique packaging as a replica of the iconic 'Black Maria' cattle truck that comes to Sally Hardesty's rescue when she's being pursued by Leatherface.In addition to the Limited Deluxe 'Black Maria' Edition, the film will also be released as a standard DVD, Blu-ray, and DVD/Blu-ray Combo Pack on September 16 at retail outlets nationwide.
This 'Black Maria' Deluxe Edition and the 40th Anniversary Blu-ray Combo Pack Collector's Edition will include:
- 1080p HD Video (4K Digital Transfer)
- Multiple Audio Options, Including the 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio Remix
- A Leatherface apron ('Black Maria' Exclusive)
- Theatrical mini-poster ('Black Maria' Exclusive)Commentaries:
- Writer-Producer-Director Tobe Hooper, actor Gunnar Hansen, Cinematographer Daniel Pearl
- Actors Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger, and Paul A. Partain, and Production Designer Robert Burns
- NEW Commentary with Writer-Producer-Director Tobe Hooper
- NEW Commentary with Cinematographer Daniel Pearl, Editor J. Larry Carroll and Sound Recordist Ted Nicolaou
Collector's Edition Bonus Disc:
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Shocking Truth
- Flesh Wounds: Seven Stories of the Saw
- A Tour of the TCSM House with Gunnar Hansen
- Off the Hook with Teri McMinn
- The Business of Chain Saw – An Interview with Production Manager Ron Bozman
- New Deleted Scenes & Outtakes
- Grandpa's Tales – An Interview with John Dugan
- Cutting Chain Saw – An Interview With Editor J. Larry Carroll
- Blooper Reel
- Outtakes from The Shocking Truth
- Horror's Hallowed Grounds: Texas Chain Saw Massacre
- Dr. W.E. Barnes Presents Making Grandpa
- Still Gallery
- 40th Anniversary Trailer
- Trailers
- TV Spots
- Radio Spots
The standard edition, single disc Blu-ray and DVD releases will include the new transfer and all audio options, including the four commentary tracks.




News by Gabriel Powers
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Existing Posts
Yes, there is a relation there, especially in the way all three films use innovative camera and editing techniques and how all three inspired generation-spanning subgenres.
I'm afraid I wasn't referring to your post, though.
I'm afraid I wasn't referring to your post, though.
Gabe Powers wrote: But you aren't actually arguing a lack of artistic merit, you're just comparing it to other, unrelated movies without context.
I think comparing the TCM to both Mad Max and Night of the Living Dead is related as all three films were feature film debuts by all three directors and all three films were low budget too.
I think comparing the TCM to both Mad Max and Night of the Living Dead is related as all three films were feature film debuts by all three directors and all three films were low budget too.
I like that you think you can rewrite movie history to fit your personal tastes. TCM was a vital and inspirational movie. I'm not being patronizing, you're ignoring what I have to say. It doesn't fit you're version of a good movie. That's great and there's no reason for you to change your mind if your only framework for a 'good movie' is aesthetic pleasure. There are plenty of movies I hate and have no interest in liking. But you aren't actually arguing a lack of artistic merit, you're just comparing it to other, unrelated movies without context.
Perhaps it's my mistake for thinking your initial post was an invitation for discussion. If it was a complaint for the sake of complaining please excuse me.
Perhaps it's my mistake for thinking your initial post was an invitation for discussion. If it was a complaint for the sake of complaining please excuse me.
Well said thedaz! TCM is simply laughable the whole way thru it. Compared to other first attempts of making a first feature film this is poor when put beside the likes of THX 1138 or Mad Max or Night of the Living Dead. Just my four penneth worth. :-)
What does the appreciative audience have to do with the film's quality or historical context? What does Kubrick or Hitchcock have to do with this? Obviously those two are better than Hooper. This is not a productive line of argument. What do those other movies have to do with this?
Thanks Gabe, for your patronizing short essay.
I believe Tobe Hooper, albeit a fascinating failure, is one of, if not the most overrated director in the history of cinema. All of his films are poor, they just vary by degree.
There are many classic films that are great today:
Citizen Kane
The Seventh Seal
Psycho
2001
...and many, many others.
In fact, virtually every Kubrick and Hitchcock film are still and will always be brilliant.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a bad movie, appreciated generally, if almost not exclusively, by horror movie nerds.
Of course, this is just my opinion.
I believe Tobe Hooper, albeit a fascinating failure, is one of, if not the most overrated director in the history of cinema. All of his films are poor, they just vary by degree.
There are many classic films that are great today:
Citizen Kane
The Seventh Seal
Psycho
2001
...and many, many others.
In fact, virtually every Kubrick and Hitchcock film are still and will always be brilliant.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a bad movie, appreciated generally, if almost not exclusively, by horror movie nerds.
Of course, this is just my opinion.
The second one is very well made, pretty funny, and has some really great scenes, but also overstays its welcome. The third and fourth ones have some interesting stuff going on, but aren't good. They're more interesting as behind-the-scenes stories than actual movies. I'd actually like to revisit all four some day.
Very true, Gabe. Now let me ask - what did you think of the second films (and other sequels)?
It's intriguing that even people that have seen the film remember it as being gory when the only violence is almost entirely left to the audience's imagination. Further proof that Hooper made a deceptively simple movie. Beneath the surface are innovative filmmaking practices that attack the viewer on a psychological level.
I've had people tell me that the reason they don't like this one is because it's A) boring. And/or B) they like gore. One guy said that his idea of a chainsaw welding maniac would be to see tons of blood and gore. He didn't like that the original is very tame by comparison to the others. On the other hand, there are those who "get" the film but still might not enjoy it. I think gabe made a valid point, but sometimes you csn take things at face value too and judge from there. This film has grown on me white a bit. Some people will bring up the first time they say it and mention how at the time it was quite frightening. I'm sure a lot of people csnt appreciate that aspect. Truth be told, if the film were released today im sure all the kids sneaking in would be more focused on cell phone usage more than anything else. A lot of the craft might be lost on them. I guess my point is that I agree with Gabe, but there are a lot of people who still understand the film, but simply don't like it too.
A masterpiece in every sense.
Gabe Powers wrote: To understand the value of older movies beyond one's limit tastes one has to understand the context in which these films were made and released. Texas Chain Saw Massacre was revolutionary in terms of artistic and technical choices and influenced just about every horror film released since. But a lot of people aren't concerned with understanding context and history, they're interested in what appeals to their modern sensibilities. This is fine, but a terrible way to judge the reputation of classic films.
TL;DR: Yes, you don't get it.
I'd say, and I massively respect gabe, but context isn't required to see the importance of Hooper's film. Context matters, but this will be a brilliant film in 40 more years. It's still one of only a few films that will scare me till I die. The film is so raw, only paralleled in Argento's Suspria, and the scene in which Kurt and Pam meet Their end is among some of the best filmmaking I've ever seen.
TL;DR: Yes, you don't get it.
I'd say, and I massively respect gabe, but context isn't required to see the importance of Hooper's film. Context matters, but this will be a brilliant film in 40 more years. It's still one of only a few films that will scare me till I die. The film is so raw, only paralleled in Argento's Suspria, and the scene in which Kurt and Pam meet Their end is among some of the best filmmaking I've ever seen.
Best Gabe retort ever. Yes, this movie is awesome and still holds up. It's beautifully shot in the sense that it looks like c**p: grainy, dirty, grimey. It's a fantastic movie. I look forward to rewatching the new transfer.
This film certainly made an impact back in the day. Need proof? Look no further than Ridley Scott's commentary on ALIEN where he mentions this film by name as one of the biggest influences for doing ALIEN.
You tell'em Gabe!
Anyways, so I'm not down for that Black Maria edition but I understood correctly that the only things exclusive to it are the apron, mini poster, Black Maria packaging and the different cover art?
Anyways, so I'm not down for that Black Maria edition but I understood correctly that the only things exclusive to it are the apron, mini poster, Black Maria packaging and the different cover art?
To understand the value of older movies beyond one's limit tastes one has to understand the context in which these films were made and released. Texas Chain Saw Massacre was revolutionary in terms of artistic and technical choices and influenced just about every horror film released since. But a lot of people aren't concerned with understanding context and history, they're interested in what appeals to their modern sensibilities. This is fine, but a terrible way to judge the reputation of classic films.
TL;DR: Yes, you don't get it.
TL;DR: Yes, you don't get it.
thedaz wrote: I don't get the status of this movie.
From what I've seen of it, it looks like a bad student film.
Yeah I have to agree this film is laughable and the low has nothing to do with it in my opinion. I loved the second one though.
From what I've seen of it, it looks like a bad student film.
Yeah I have to agree this film is laughable and the low has nothing to do with it in my opinion. I loved the second one though.
40th anniv has 4 discs,including the extra special features disc.
I see now, one has a DVD with it and one doesn't. I can't tell which cover I like better. Decisions decisions LOL
I don't get the status of this movie.
From what I've seen of it, it looks like a bad student film.
From what I've seen of it, it looks like a bad student film.
Awesome cover art(s)! I'll be getting this for sure. Sad the actress just died, though.
are there two bluray versions or is one just a slipcover?

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