The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) (40th Anniversary Edition)

[szagski13]

I plan to buy this movie at some point, have heard that the last edition was amazing, but I'll wait and see what people have to say about this version. Definitely going to see this new transfer in theaters if its playing nearby

[Mr. Thomsen]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

Also when Leatherface hits Kirk with the hammer.

This was an issue with their initial DVD release, yes, but it was resolved when Dark Sky re-issued a corrected disc.

To my knowledge, there never was a problem with their BD release.

[dobyblue]

Great news, Chainsaw and Dave will be very pleased.

[CHEЯNOБLY!]

Originally Posted by szagski13

I plan to buy this movie at some point, have heard that the last edition was amazing, but I'll wait and see what people have to say about this version. Definitely going to see this new transfer in theaters if its playing nearby

US edition? I heard it wasn't particularly good.
Can't wait for this. Held off cuz I figured they would do something for the 40th.

[Chloenator]

Originally Posted by CHEЯNOБLY!

US edition? I heard it wasn't particularly good.
Can't wait for this. Held off cuz I figured they would do something for the 40th.

You heard wrong. While not an amazing transfer by any means, it's definitely an upgrade over any of the previous DVD releases.

[CHEЯNOБLY!]

Originally Posted by Sad Beautiful Tragic

You heard wrong. While not an amazing transfer by any means, it's definitely an upgrade over any of the previous DVD releases.

Obviously its better than DVD.

[Vixen of the Night]

Originally Posted by Scoot79

Back in 1999, I purchased Pioneer's original DVD release of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) which was released on October 6, 1998.

That release was the first DVD I bought(before I had a player!) along with the limited edition of Halloween! Ah, memories. Of course I've sold both editions years ago, and bought the first Dark Sky DVD release. I've since sold that and upgraded to their BD release, and am content with that so far. Only if the new release contains a lossless original mono mix will I bother upgrading again.

[OneWayFilms]

QUESTION: Since this films works SO well as a dark and gritty motion picture, does having a crystal clear sharp image REALLY make this movie more attractive? Tobe Hooper said it looks like a modern movie now, like it could have been made THIS past year.

Does it HELP or HURT to remove the grittiness and polish this up so much?

[kidglov3s]

Originally Posted by OneWayFilms

QUESTION: Since this films works SO well as a dark and gritty motion picture, does having a crystal clear sharp image REALLY make this movie more attractive? Tobe Hooper said it looks like a modern movie now, like it could have been made THIS past year.

Does it HELP or HURT to remove the grittiness and polish this up so much?

A competent transfer shouldn't remove anything but rather provide a more immediate and accurate presentation of the film. What you're describing, "crystal clear", if done properly, will reveal grittiness and polish nothing.

[Oblivion138]

Originally Posted by kidglov3s

A competent transfer shouldn't remove anything but rather provide a more immediate and accurate presentation of the film. What you're describing, "crystal clear", if done properly, will reveal grittiness and polish nothing.

Exactly. If anything, the coarse 16mm grain should be more evident than ever.

[Member-222782]

I thought the main attraction for this edition was in the audio dept.? That the PQ is going to be largely unchanged. At least that's what I understood.

[CHEЯNOБLY!]

Originally Posted by cine74

I thought the main attraction for this edition was in the audio dept.? That the PQ is going to be largely unchanged. At least that's what I understood.

New 4k restoration. Read the OP.

[Oblivion138]

Still, I really can't imagine the PQ being much better than the existing transfer. I'm gonna have to read reviews very carefully before I think about upgrading (yet again).

[Chloenator]

Originally Posted by Oblivion138

Still, I really can't imagine the PQ being much better than the existing transfer. I'm gonna have to read reviews very carefully before I think about upgrading (yet again).

+1
For a film as old and as grainy as it is, I don't see the PQ being much better either.

[captainjoe]

I think there is still room for improvement in PQ. The previous Dark Sky blu seemed to have some denoising applied to the image and from what I understand this transfer goes back to the original film source.

[notops]

Originally Posted by captainjoe

I think there is still room for improvement in PQ. The previous Dark Sky blu seemed to have some denoising applied to the image and from what I understand this transfer goes back to the original film source.

This.

I checked the Dark Sky disc out again once this was announced and was surprised to see such a smooth, somewhat grainless picture compared to the print I saw years ago at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood. I think there is definitely room for improvement PQ wise.

[Liquid_Swords]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Great news, Chainsaw and Dave will be very pleased.

[Yojimbo68]

Originally Posted by notops

This.

I checked the Dark Sky disc out again once this was announced and was surprised to see such a smooth, somewhat grainless picture compared to the print I saw years ago at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood. I think there is definitely room for improvement PQ wise.

If memory serves, the Dark Sky disc is a very grainy affair. I would not describe the transfer as "smooth and somewhat grainless". I'm going to stick with the Dark Sky Blu-ray. This is one movie where a "crystal clear sharp image" would ruin it's impact.

[Ray O. Blu]

Wow!
Almost 100 posts and nobody specifically mentioned Marilyn Burns yet.
I consider her performance in this movie as the best ever by an actress in a horror film.
Plus, (Big plus) we get a new 4K scan of her smokin' hot body!
(Poor Jessica Biel. She looks like a man compared to Scream Queen Marilyn.)

[notops]

Originally Posted by Yojimbo68

If memory serves, the Dark Sky disc is a very grainy affair. I would not describe the transfer as "smooth and somewhat grainless". I'm going to stick with the Dark Sky Blu-ray. This is one movie where a "crystal clear sharp image" would ruin it's impact.

Have you seen it on film on the big screen? I have.

Even taking into consideration the extra graininess inherent in blowing up 16mm to 35mm (as the American Cinematheque's print was), that Dark Sky disc is still quite off on the appropriate grain levels.

I also believe that the 4K transfer will not give a "crystal clear sharp image". If anything, it will be much grainier and that is exactly what I want from that transfer.