Texas Chainsaw Massacre – Two Disk Ultimate Edition

A dysfunctional backwoods family that would be too extreme even for the Jerry Springer Show, the Sawyers live in a ramshackle two-story with a basement and a convenient slaughterhouse. You see, the Sawyers are cannibals and when fresh meat passes through town they get to try out all kinds of new recipes.

The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a movie I feel more obligated to like, than being a film I actually do enjoy. I think that’s due in large part to the fact that I did not see the movie until I was in my 30s. I’d already seen every other seminal horror flick — Psycho, Rosemary’s Baby, The Exorcist, The Shining, Friday the 13th, et al — plus all the Chainsaw rip-offs, so for me the impact was greatly lessened. Had I seen the movie at the time it actually was groundbreaking, I am sure I would have a much different opinion. Must-see scenes include the — common now, but new then — freaky family "formal dinner" and a double-whammy downer ending.

Dark Sky has definitely done it up right for this two-disc set, loading it with additional release material that's sure to keep you, er, hooked, for hours.

Commentary #1

I suspect this is a carry-over from another DVD, because director Tobe Hooper says it's for the special edition "by Elite Entertainment." Along with Hooper, we get to hear input from the DP, Daniel Pearl, and of course Leatherface himself, Gunnar Hansen. They talk about having John Larroquette doing the voice over for the opening montage, and joke about how he was supposed to "do it like Orson Welles" but still sounds like Larroquette (which is great, they all agree). Trivia tidbits doled out include some original titles for the film, which included Head Cheese, and Leatherface (Hanson laments the loss of the latter title!).

Commentary #2

I believe this is a new commentary, which features several members of the cast. There are so many voices, it is somewhat difficult to discern at times, but overall it's a great, spirited trip down massacre memory lane. It's interesting to learn that they were all kept away from Hansen in order to maintain the separation between hunter and prey. This is a candid commentary — the ones with perspective and by those with nothing to lose are always the best. Be sure and find out about the day Hooper got so furious, he stalked off the set and someone else had to direct.

Shocking Truth Featurette

This one talks about the production, from start to finish. The beginning of the movie was supposed to show a dead dog, but that idea was nixed. Then the production designer actually found a real dead horse and was going to use that, but was told to "beat it" with that idea. Finally, the road-kill armadillo was used (which is a no-brainer — it's so Texas!). There are tons of little gory details like that throughout the featurette; it's very well-done and highly informative.

Tour of the Slaughter House

The original house used for the interior and exterior of the movie is now painted white and grey, and is so pretty now. Hansen takes us on a personal tour through what is now a restaurant (ah, the irony), and it's funny to see the quaint and cute rooms inter-cut with bloody, dirty, nasty scenes from the movie.

Overall, I highly recommend this special edition of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

= = =

Reviewed by Staci Layne Wilson