Last night we viewed our 40 year old print of the Iver 4 x 400ft version of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. A film that needs no introduction regarding it story.
The first version i bought was the Derann 400ft version which was not a particularly good version. It cut out the first two murders all together but oddly enough did have one of the two short scenes cut from this Iver feature Version.
When i was 18 i wanted a feature version, i found the uncut 5 x 400ft version at a company in Scotland. They informed me that there was a sound problem but perhaps could get Iver to re-record it. I wrote to Iver to ask the question and it appeared that the library in Scotland got into a bit of bother for trying to sell it to me so that was abandoned. I borrowed the £99 for this feature version from a family member, (who was not amused at the reason i wanted the dosh). When i wrote again to Iver to make sure they had it they actually tried to tempt me toward there very full 400ft version which does include all five murders. No, i wanted the feature. It arrived very quickly and has been one of my most projected movies within the first ten years. We had many people around to watch it as at that time it was still banned by many chains and city Councils.
Quality is very good, image nice and sharp and thankfully, this one has held its colours very well, just a little fade creeping in there. It is now four years since i projected it and the colour doesn't appear to have suffered at all since then. The only thing about my print is that reel 4 has the slightest of sync problem. Iver refused to re record it as they claimed i shortened the leader, this was bollocks as all i did was clip it for threading. They wouldn't have got away with that kind of poor service today. Luckily it is literally only a few frames, as the reel is 90% balling and screaming it is only noticed in one or two places. Most audiences dont even notice it.
A modern classic which i think people either love or hate. A film that cost 300,000 to make, shot on 16mm and the makers ripped off by Bryanston Pictures. This one opens with the American "R" Restricted rating.
With so many dozens of viewings, this one again shows how not all Elmo 1200HD's are notorious for scratching, look after your machine and your machine will look after your films
I have kept going to sell it on many times over but each i time i view it i keep putting it off. This viewing is no exception.