Product: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Original Uncut) [Region 2] (1974)
Rating: 1.0
Great Movie / Lousy Transfer
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is one of the greatest horror classics of all time. It has increased the quality of my nightmares to an unprecedented level. It is a movie that immediately puts the viewer in the position of the victim. (For those who identify with the killers, please remain behind bars). What is so frightening about the film is that if Leatherface sees you, he's going to kill you. If you stop to plead for your life you'll be talking out of both sides of your mouth since your head will be split in two. So why the one star rating? Because the transfer lacks sharpness, almost to the point of looking out of focus. Elite's laserdisc is much better and should be considered the best transfer to date. However, I would like to note that only Cinemax seems to have gotten the death of Kirk and Pam transferred correctly. The detail seen in these interior scenes on the Cinemax tranfer is a real eye opener compared to every other transfer I've ever seen. It may not be what the director intended, but it sure is a transfer that lifts the veil on a wealth of detail unrecognizable in other transfers. Of course Cinemax blew the last reel by having the sound out of synch. Will anybody ever get it 100% correct? I suspect not. In the meantime I'd like to hear Pioneer's excuse for this travesty-of-a-transfer.