[Podcast Review] ‘THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE’ 4K Steelbook from Dark Sky Films

Preston Barta // Features Editor

THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE (1974)

Rated R, 83 minutes.
Director:
Cast: Marilyn Burns, Gunnar Hansen, Paul A. Partain, Edwin Neal, William Vail, Teri McMinn, Allen Danziger, John Dugan, Jim Siedow and John Larroquette (narration)

Recently recognized as No. 1 in Shudder’s The 101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments of All Time, the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre, directed by the late Tobe Hooper, is about as animalistic and frightful as movies come. It’s so in tune with the wickedness of its story that all aspects of filmmaking are working together to create something that truly is a classic of the horror genre.

Yes — it may not be a fun sit, but like so many have said before, you won’t dare forget it. Whether it’s its central terrorizer dancing around with his titular weapon at sunset, the final girl screaming so loud it could be heard in space, or all the haunting art creations made from human parts and skin, there’s a reason we still talk about Hooper’s work damn-near fifty years later.

On the most recent episode of My Bloody Podcast, Bryan Kluger (of High-Def Digest) and I discuss The Texas Chain Saw Massacre in great detail, focusing on each character and memorable scene. We also discuss Dark Sky Films’ newly-released 4K Ultra HD steelbook edition of the film (starting at the 55:21 mark below).

The steelbook edition includes the original poster on its cover, a director-approved 4K restoration, and a whole slew of bonus goodies to keep you busy for hours. The most anticipated special feature is perhaps the one new addition: a feature-length documentary, titled The Legacy of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Let’s just say I have some opinions about it…

But overall, Dark Sky Films’ work perfectly captures the beauty deep within the macabre, from a packaging and supplemental material collection standpoint. So, grab your Leatherface mask, pull up a chair and listen to our podcast below!

My Bloody Podcast – available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you listen to podcasts!

Synopsis:

The film follows a group of young friends (Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger, Paul A. Partain, William Vail and Teri McMinn) road-tripping by van through Texas who fall victim to a bizarre family of cannibals – including a huge masked madman known as Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen) who always has a gas-powered chain saw at the ready. The shocker originated many elements of the slasher genre that would soon explode: the use of power tools as murder weapons, a hulking faceless killer, a desolate rural setting, and the sadistic slaughter of innocent young victims.

Extras:

• Disc 1 (4K)
  • Four commentary tracks: writer-producer-director Tobe Hooper, actor Gunnar Hansen and cinematographer Daniel Pearl; actors Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger and Paul A. Partain with production designer Robert Burns; Tobe Hooper solo; and Daniel Pearl, editor J. Larry Carroll and sound recordist Ted Nicolaou
• Disc 2 (a Blu-ray)
  • A new, never-before-seen feature-length documentary, The Legacy of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
  • Several featurettes, like “The Cinefamily Presents FRIEDKIN/HOOPER,” a conversation about the film between Tobe Hooper and The Exorcist director William Friedkin; “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”; and “The Business of Chain Saw: An Interview with Production Manager Ron Bozman.”
  • Deleted scenes
  • Outtakes
  • A blooper reel
  • Trailers, vintage TV and radio spots

The Dark Sky Films’ release is now available in 4K UHD and 4K UHD Steelbook