Texas Chainsaw
Massacre (1974 Original Version/Umbrella
Entertainment /Australian Import
Blu-ray)
Picture:
B Sound: B- Extras: B+ Film:
B+
PLEASE NOTE: This import Blu-ray can be played
on all machines, is Region All/Region Free and can be ordered from our friends
at Umbrella Entertainment in Australia
at the website link provided at the end of the review.
There are
many, many horror films out there, but not many have reached to royal status of
Texas Chainsaw Massacre. By today’s standards of “torture-porn” horror
films like Hostel and SAW, Texas Chainsaw Massacre may not be nearly as gruesome, but for its
time it was terrifyingly jaw dropping.
The film was banned, picketed against and adored by younger
generations. It was cruel, gritty, gruesome,
and based on fact making all the more appealing.
The low
budget Texas Chainsaw Massacre has
engrained itself into the pop culture psyche; spurring on a plethora of
knock-offs, sequels and remakes that for the most part don’t stand even close
to the original. If you say Chainsaw Massacre or Leatherface,
people just know what you are talking about; even if they have never seen the
film. The title alone spawns images of
screaming teens and bloody violence; having had such an unprecedented effect on
the genre that the like of Friday the 13th
or Nightmare on Elm Street can’t
even do.
We have
covered the film multiple times on this site and this release from Umbrella seems to be exactly like that
of the previous Dark Sky’s release.
The
technical features are adequate and are way better than previous DVD releases,
but remains problematic in both picture and sound. The picture is a 1080p 1.77 X 1 Widescreen
that is brighter than previous releases with solid colors and light/dark
levels, but far from perfect. The grit
and grime is still there, but has been restored to some degree. The problem remains in the source that (once
again) was low budget and gritty to start with.
The sound is available in a DTS 5.1 Track or a 2.0 Stereo Track, both
get the job done but the 5.1 track is more engrossing. The directionality is off and the dialogue
feels distant at times as well, but adequate nevertheless. All extras are the same as the Dark Sky’s
release, so nothing new but GREAT extras that are all worth watching.
For our
previous Blu-ray coverage of this film, please follow the link below to the U.S. release:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/7588/The+Texas+Chain+Saw+Massacre+%E
A classic
horror film that has aged well and will still have fans clawing at the walls.
As noted
above, you can order this import Blu-ray version exclusively from Umbrella at:
http://www.umbrellaent.com.au/
- Michael P. Dougherty II
