The hell-raising bloodshed of 1974’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre disrupted the movie theatergoers worldwide. Leatherface is running after a group of friends wielding the iconic chainsaw.
Directed by Tobe Hooper, the studio marketed this horror film based on actual events to attract public attention and sell tickets. Ed Gein, who committed gruesome crimes of murder, inspired Leatherface and minor plot points. Otherwise, the horror film’s storyline is predominantly fiction.
Ed Gein was a serial killer and body snatcher, robbing grave sites, also known as Butcher of Plainfield, The Mad Butcher and the Plainfield Goul. Gein’s murders were so horrific that his killing spree filled popular horror films: Psycho, The Silence of the Lambs and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year, making it the perfect time for horror fans to grab popcorn and their favorite beverage and pop the DVD or VHS in their machines.
Dark Sky Selects sent me The Texas Chain Saw Massacre 50th Anniversary Chainsaw Edition. To my surprise, I opened the box to pursue multiple theme-based features. A collection of many interviews on a multi-disc set will include:
- Three new 4K UHD editions.
- AA Blu-ray bonus disc containing new extra features.
- Exclusive VHS movie release.
The special edition collector’s set is housed in a custom-made box replicating the iconic chainsaw from the film. The chainsaw is among the best swab gizmos I have ever seen. Opening it triggers the sound of Leatherface wielding it in the movie. They numbered each box set and only created 5000—I own #1251.
This limited edition also features a newly designed 50th Anniversary O-card and brand-new bonus content, including The Merchandise of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Restoration of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre 50th Anniversary Chainsaw Edition will be available for $299.98 exclusively at darkskyselects.com.
Here is a breakdown of what you get:
DISC 1: 4K UHD (FEATURE FILM)
BONUS: 4 FEATURE 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
- Writer-Producer-Director Tobe Hooper
- Cinematographer Daniel Pearl, Editor J. Larry Carroll and Sound Recordist Ted Nicolaou
DISC 2: BLU-RAY (FEATURE FILM)
BONUS: 4 FEATURE 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
- Writer-Producer-Director Tobe Hooper
- Cinematographer Daniel Pearl, Editor J. Larry Carroll and Sound Recordist Ted Nicolaou
DISC 3: BLU-RAY BONUS FEATURES
- NEW The Merchandise of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
- NEW The Restoration of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
- Feature-Length Documentary: The Legacy of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
- The Cinefamily Presents FRIEDKIN/HOOPER: A Conversation About The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Between William Friedkin and Tobe Hooper
- 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 Interview
- Deleted Scenes & Outtakes
- Grandpa’s Tales: An Interview with Actor John Dugan
- Cutting Chain Saw: An Interview with Editor J. Larry Carroll
- Blooper Reel
- Horrors Hallowed Grounds: TCSM
- Dr. W.E. Barnes Presents “Making Grandpa”
- Still Gallery
- Trailers
- TV Spots
- Radio Spots
The film’s low budget, gritty style, extreme gore, and violence boosted its popularity. Since then, we’ve had horror films like The Blair Witch Project, Friday the 13th, Halloween and Night of the Living Dead.
The group of friends intends to visit an old family homestead. On their journey, they encounter a hitchhiker who behaves strangely. The stranger eventually turns on them and attacks them, leading to a harrowing chase through the Texas countryside.
They arrive at a farmhouse and meet cannibalistic killers, including the iconic Leatherface with a mask of human skin and a wielding chainsaw. Michael Myers copied the masking technique so beautifully on Halloween.
Upon its release, the film sparked controversy because of its graphic violence, a stark contrast to the Coen Bros. films or the SAW franchise. This controversy, however, only cemented its status as a cult classic and the most influential horror movie of its genre.
It generated many sequels and remakes, influencing countless horror films that tried to be deemed worthy.
