It has always amused me how people have inaccurately remembered The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and the “true” events that helped to inspire it.  People say “Oh, it’s sooooo bloody!”… but there really isn’t a whole lot of blood in it (especially when you compare it to several other horror films from the time).  Other people (who are fools, I might add) sincerely believe that the actual events of the motion picture really did happen!  I remember barely being able to control the impelling urge to slap a couple of teenage bitches in a Blockbuster once after listening to them talk about how the incidents in the remake, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (no space), were “all true and stuff” (as DIMP Forum member Lex Blu-ray says: “Know your facts.”).   

Some people have even had the audacity to claim that they worked at the prison guarding the “real” Leatherface.   

Bull.   

Shit. 

Love it or hate it (and your opinion had better not be the latter!), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is perhaps the most quintessential modern rural urban legend horror film.  It’s also one of those few movies that can immerse the viewer into a solution of total terror without the excessive use of gore (most of the bloody debauchery is merely implied rather than being displayed -- most likely the result of the film’s low budget). 

In any case, there really isn’t much about the movie for me to say that hasn’t already been said and, if you’re looking for a better review for Dark Sky’s original issue of the film (and its Extras), head over to Cary Christopher’s review and enjoy the ride. 

Presentation  
Having suffered through the many old VHS incarnations and reveled at several previously-released DVD versions, it is a pleasure to say that the folks at Dark Sky Films have taken their wonderful 2-Disc Ultimate Edition of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and improved it that much more for Blu-ray: the colors are so strong, vibrant, and Alive With Pleasure (everybody light up a Newport, quick!) that they will positively floor you.  Don’t fret, though: although (yes) some of the original 16mm film stock grain that gave the movie its gritty, realistic, documentary-like quality of realism was removed during the restoration, the film’s unparalleled claustrophobic environment is still very much intact. 

Jumping over to the sound department, the Blu-ray Disc boasts three English audio tracks: 5.1 DTS, 2.0 PCM Lossless, and Mono Stereo.  If you’ve heard the soundtracks from the Dark Sky DVD, just imagine the same things… only a little bit better.  English and Spanish Subtitles accompany (just like the last release).

Extras 
Again, I’m going to refer you to the other review that I previously mentioned for a majority of this department: all but one of the included Special Features on this superb Blu-ray have been brought over from the previous DVD release (the two Audio Commentaries, the Shocking Truth and “Flesh Wounds” documentaries, House Tour featurette, Trailers, TV & Radio Spots, Outtakes, Bloopers, Deleted Scenes -- the whole kit and kaboodle).  The new BD Extra, the Featurette “Off The Hook” is an Interview with actress Teri McMinn (which will also show up on the UK’s 3-Disc Seriously Ultimate Edition in November… along with three other recent Interviews with Tobe Hooper, Kim Henkel, and Ron Bozman… none of which are included here, interestingly enough). 
 
The Bottom Line 
Kick-ass.