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The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) poster
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3.8

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Horror • 1h 23m

Overview

Five friends head out to rural Texas to visit the grave of a grandfather. On the way they stumble across what appears to be a deserted house, only to discover something sinister within. Something armed with a chainsaw.

Director: Tobe Hooper

Best English-Friendly Release

Best Video Release

Best Audio Release

LaserDisc/VHS likely will have less filtered and correct audio. MPI 4K Blu-ray’s mono appears to be correct content-wise.

Format

UHD Blu-ray

UHD Tiers

Excellent
Second Sight
Solid
Dark Sky:

if compared to their 2016 BD

Superior Imports
Second Sight UK > Dark Sky US:

additional restoration work done by SS, stronger encode by Fidelity in Motion

TSPDT

2026: #170
2025: #170
2024: #169
2023: #173
2022: #173

Length

83 mins

Type

Movie

Alternative Titles

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, TCM

Last Updated

6 months ago

Contributors

Best English-Friendly Release
Best Video Release
Best Audio Release

LaserDisc/VHS likely will have less filtered and correct audio. MPI 4K Blu-ray’s mono appears to be correct content-wise.

Format
UHD Blu-ray
UHD Tiers
Excellent
Second Sight
Solid
Dark Sky:

if compared to their 2016 BD

Superior Imports
Second Sight UK > Dark Sky US:

additional restoration work done by SS, stronger encode by Fidelity in Motion

Featured Lists
TSPDT
2026: #170
2025: #170
2024: #169
2023: #173
2022: #173
Length
83 mins
Type
Movie
Alternative Titles
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, TCM
Last Updated
6 months ago
Contributors

Featured in National Film Registry

See more →
The Right Stuff poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

2026 Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

WB Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

2026 Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB Blu-ray

Harold and Maude poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Paramount Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

2026 Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Paramount new 4K master

Best Audio:

Criterion/MoC Blu-ray

Harold and Maude poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Paramount Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

2026 Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Paramount new 4K master

Best Audio:

Criterion/MoC Blu-ray

Planet of the Apes poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

4K Streaming

Best Video:

4K Streaming has Dolby Vision and is a newer significantly better restoration see caps comparing against Fox Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

4K Streaming

Best Video:

4K Streaming has Dolby Vision and is a newer significantly better restoration see caps comparing against Fox Blu-ray

Toy Story poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Original theatrical render: 35mm scans or 1996 Disney Deluxe Edition CAV LaserDisc boxset

Digital render: 2010 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

Original theatrical render: 35mm scans or 1996 Disney Deluxe Edition CAV LaserDisc boxset

Digital render: 2010 3D Blu-ray (every version since the 2000 DVD release including the 2D 2010 Blu-ray has animation errors. The majority of those were corrected for the 3D rerelease.) The 4K Blu-ray is merely upscaled from the 2K render.

Best Audio:

Stereo Mix: 1996 Disney Deluxe Edition CAV LaserDisc boxset

5.1 AC3 Mix: 1996 Disney Deluxe Edition CAV LaserDisc boxset

5.1 DTS Mix: 1997 Disney DTS LaserDisc level corrected

Additional Info:

The 1997 DTS LaserDisc is a virtually untouched transfer of the theatrical 5.1 mix and should theoretically sound the best being that DTS has higher bitrates than AC3. However, the original pressing of the DTS LaserDisc has an error where the right channel is 8.5db lower than the rest. This is an easy fix in a program like Audacity, and if you can find a corrected transfer, like the ones on various fan projects online, it should be the best sounding version of the film.

The AC3 audio on Side 2 of the CLV LaserDisc has the LFE channel muted. This was left intact for the CAV release.

The 2000 and 2005 UK DVD has an error where one of the shots is brightened up way too high (when the rest of the toys hold onto Slinky as he clings onto Woody during the moving truck rescue). Plus the end credits are interlaced (the PSP UMD video is the only way to get that version of the credits without interlacing).

The 4K Blu-ray has a further remixed Atmos track.

Toy Story poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Original theatrical render: 35mm scans or 1996 Disney Deluxe Edition CAV LaserDisc boxset

Digital render: 2010 3D Blu-ray

Best Video:

Original theatrical render: 35mm scans or 1996 Disney Deluxe Edition CAV LaserDisc boxset

Digital render: 2010 3D Blu-ray (every version since the 2000 DVD release including the 2D 2010 Blu-ray has animation errors. The majority of those were corrected for the 3D rerelease.) The 4K Blu-ray is merely upscaled from the 2K render.

Best Audio:

Stereo Mix: 1996 Disney Deluxe Edition CAV LaserDisc boxset

5.1 AC3 Mix: 1996 Disney Deluxe Edition CAV LaserDisc boxset

5.1 DTS Mix: 1997 Disney DTS LaserDisc level corrected

Additional Info:

The 1997 DTS LaserDisc is a virtually untouched transfer of the theatrical 5.1 mix and should theoretically sound the best being that DTS has higher bitrates than AC3. However, the original pressing of the DTS LaserDisc has an error where the right channel is 8.5db lower than the rest. This is an easy fix in a program like Audacity, and if you can find a corrected transfer, like the ones on various fan projects online, it should be the best sounding version of the film.

The AC3 audio on Side 2 of the CLV LaserDisc has the LFE channel muted. This was left intact for the CAV release.

The 2000 and 2005 UK DVD has an error where one of the shots is brightened up way too high (when the rest of the toys hold onto Slinky as he clings onto Woody during the moving truck rescue). Plus the end credits are interlaced (the PSP UMD video is the only way to get that version of the credits without interlacing).

The 4K Blu-ray has a further remixed Atmos track.

Pickup on South Street poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion or MoC Blu-ray

Best Video:

While MoC Blu-ray has slightly better encoding than Criterion, the contrast on MoC looks very washed out, and Criterion‘s color grading is much more contrast-y. See caps

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion or MoC Blu-ray

Best Video:

While MoC Blu-ray has slightly better encoding than Criterion, the contrast on MoC looks very washed out, and Criterion‘s color grading is much more contrast-y. See caps

The Philadelphia Story poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4k transfer

Best Audio:

1986 MGM LaserDisc. 1987 VHS probably even better

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4k transfer

Best Audio:

1986 MGM LaserDisc. 1987 VHS probably even better

Top Hat poster
HD Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

Amazon HD Streaming

Best Video:

Amazon HD Streaming

IVC Japan Blu-ray is clearly from a higher generation film element and looks terrible. Comparisons: https://slow.pics/c/XUTwiv7B

Top Hat poster
HD Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

Amazon HD Streaming

Best Video:

Amazon HD Streaming

IVC Japan Blu-ray is clearly from a higher generation film element and looks terrible. Comparisons: https://slow.pics/c/XUTwiv7B

Born Yesterday poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

4K Streaming

Born Yesterday poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

4K Streaming

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid poster
4K Streaming
Best English-Friendly:

4K Streaming

Best Video:

4K Streaming

Best English-Friendly:

4K Streaming

Best Video:

4K Streaming

The Perils of Pauline poster
DVD
Best English-Friendly:

SerialSquadron SD Blu-ray

Best Video:
Best English-Friendly:

SerialSquadron SD Blu-ray

Best Video:

More from Tobe Hooper

See more →
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray, caps by asacmurr. Comparison between the Arrow, Vinegar Syndrome and Turbine releases with Arrow (Engine House) being the best encoding-wise. Vinegar Syndrome 4K Blu-ray has mediocre encode and over-saturated skin tones. Also, the Arrow 4K Blu-ray has reported issues with Panasonic players.

Best Audio:

Arrow 2017 Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray, caps by asacmurr. Comparison between the Arrow, Vinegar Syndrome and Turbine releases with Arrow (Engine House) being the best encoding-wise. Vinegar Syndrome 4K Blu-ray has mediocre encode and over-saturated skin tones. Also, the Arrow 4K Blu-ray has reported issues with Panasonic players.

Best Audio:

Arrow 2017 Blu-ray

Lifeforce poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Lifeforce poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

The Funhouse poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Scream Factory 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Scream Factory 4K Blu-ray

The Funhouse poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Scream Factory 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Scream Factory 4K Blu-ray

Poltergeist poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Poltergeist poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

WB 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

WB 4K Blu-ray

More from Carlotta

See more →
Jazz on a Summer's Day poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

FRA Carlotta Blu-ray: FiM encode. At least slightly better than the Kino see caps

Additional Info:

Carlotta ports over all special features from the Kino release, except the booklet essay. All specials are in English.

Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber Blu-ray

Best Video:

FRA Carlotta Blu-ray: FiM encode. At least slightly better than the Kino see caps

Additional Info:

Carlotta ports over all special features from the Kino release, except the booklet essay. All specials are in English.

Ichi the Killer poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Well Go US Blu-ray / Tokyo Shock US Blu-ray (see video/audio notes)

Best Video:

4K Remaster: Carlotta FR 4K Blu-ray
Original digital master: Tokyo Shock US Blu-ray

The original master is of poor quality, blurry with some damage and bad levels, which the 4K remaster improves upon, with better detail in compression. Unfortunately, the 4K master has significant issues with color posterization, making it look like poor quality digital video rather than 16mm film. Comparison between masters, Carlotta/Tokyo Shock clip

Best Audio:

Original Japanese: Carlotta FR 4K Blu-ray
English dub: Tokyo Shock US Blu-ray

Well Go does not include the dub.

Best English-Friendly:

Well Go US Blu-ray / Tokyo Shock US Blu-ray (see video/audio notes)

Best Video:

4K Remaster: Carlotta FR 4K Blu-ray
Original digital master: Tokyo Shock US Blu-ray

The original master is of poor quality, blurry with some damage and bad levels, which the 4K remaster improves upon, with better detail in compression. Unfortunately, the 4K master has significant issues with color posterization, making it look like poor quality digital video rather than 16mm film. Comparison between masters, Carlotta/Tokyo Shock clip

Best Audio:

Original Japanese: Carlotta FR 4K Blu-ray
English dub: Tokyo Shock US Blu-ray

Well Go does not include the dub.

Gonza the Spearman poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Channel Streaming

Best Video:

2024 Carlotta FR Blu-ray

Best Audio:

2009 Shochiku JP NTSC DVD

The audio track on the new 4K restoration sounds flat and lifeless, both its low and high frequencies were significantly attentuated.

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Channel Streaming

Best Video:

2024 Carlotta FR Blu-ray

Best Audio:

2009 Shochiku JP NTSC DVD

The audio track on the new 4K restoration sounds flat and lifeless, both its low and high frequencies were significantly attentuated.

3:10 to Yuma poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray see caps

Best Audio:

Carlotta Blu-ray

Additional Info:

All audio tracks originate from the same DVD-era master, no real audible differences between them, but Carlotta is least filtered out of all

3:10 to Yuma poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray see caps

Best Audio:

Carlotta Blu-ray

Additional Info:

All audio tracks originate from the same DVD-era master, no real audible differences between them, but Carlotta is least filtered out of all

The Parallax View poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Carlotta Blu-ray

Best Video:

Carlotta Blu-ray a little better than Criterion. Imprint is worse. See caps

Best Audio:

iTunes/Amazon WEB-DL. All discs are worse.

Best English-Friendly:

Carlotta Blu-ray

Best Video:

Carlotta Blu-ray a little better than Criterion. Imprint is worse. See caps

Best Audio:

iTunes/Amazon WEB-DL. All discs are worse.

Yi Yi poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

France Carlotta 4K Blu-ray is FiM encoded and superior to Criterion 4K Blu-ray see caps but the Carlotta release is not English friendly

Best Audio:

2011 Criterion Blu-ray

Additional Info:

A user writes: 'the 5.0 mix does not closely resemble the matrixed stereo track included on all prior releases (save for a 2003 French DVD which had 5.1). There is significant dialogue emphasis in the 5.0 mix while the older stereo mix has ambient sounds and dialogue mixed at nearly the same loudness. Additionally, the 5.0 mix has minor limiting in select loud sequences and a strange distorted quality on occasion (one notable example is the sound of a plane taking off which plays during a static shot of clouds in the sky). The stereo mix included on the FRA UHD/BD is a downmix of the 5.0 track.'

Yi Yi poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

France Carlotta 4K Blu-ray is FiM encoded and superior to Criterion 4K Blu-ray see caps but the Carlotta release is not English friendly

Best Audio:

2011 Criterion Blu-ray

Additional Info:

A user writes: 'the 5.0 mix does not closely resemble the matrixed stereo track included on all prior releases (save for a 2003 French DVD which had 5.1). There is significant dialogue emphasis in the 5.0 mix while the older stereo mix has ambient sounds and dialogue mixed at nearly the same loudness. Additionally, the 5.0 mix has minor limiting in select loud sequences and a strange distorted quality on occasion (one notable example is the sound of a plane taking off which plays during a static shot of clouds in the sky). The stereo mix included on the FRA UHD/BD is a downmix of the 5.0 track.'

Lola Montès poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

French version: Criterion Blu-ray (Carlotta has no English subtitles)

German version: Filmmuseum DVD

Best Video:

French version: 2020 Carlotta Blu-ray

German version: Filmmuseum DVD

Additional Info:

Carlotta Films corrects the mistakes of Criterion due to the compression on dark scenes and gives the gorgeous transfer of the restoration a better encode/compression and more bitrate.

The German cut, titled Lola Montez, is considered by Ophüls scholars such as Jonathan Rosenbaum, Dan Sallitt and Tag Gallagher to be superior to the French cut. It has only been reissued on the Filmmuseum DVD.

Lola Montès poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

French version: Criterion Blu-ray (Carlotta has no English subtitles)

German version: Filmmuseum DVD

Best Video:

French version: 2020 Carlotta Blu-ray

German version: Filmmuseum DVD

Additional Info:

Carlotta Films corrects the mistakes of Criterion due to the compression on dark scenes and gives the gorgeous transfer of the restoration a better encode/compression and more bitrate.

The German cut, titled Lola Montez, is considered by Ophüls scholars such as Jonathan Rosenbaum, Dan Sallitt and Tag Gallagher to be superior to the French cut. It has only been reissued on the Filmmuseum DVD.

Farewell My Concubine poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

France Carlotta 4K > Criterion 4K

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

France Carlotta 4K > Criterion 4K

Damnation poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Bela Tarr Curzon Collection or Arbelos Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Curzon 4K Blu-ray August

Best Video:

Curzon Blu-ray ~= Arbelos Blu-ray

There's also a France Carlotta boxset release (no ENG subs) but screenshots not available.

Damnation poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Bela Tarr Curzon Collection or Arbelos Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Curzon 4K Blu-ray August

Best Video:

Curzon Blu-ray ~= Arbelos Blu-ray

There's also a France Carlotta boxset release (no ENG subs) but screenshots not available.

Satantango poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Arbelos Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Curzon 4K Blu-ray August

Best Video:

Carlotta France Blu-ray slightly better than Arbelos US Blu-ray, both are FiM-encodes with tradeoffs. Carlotta is best in dark scenes.

Curzon UK Blu-ray has squished AR
Bela Tarr Curzon Collection uses the same bad Curzon Blu-ray

Satantango poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Arbelos Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Curzon 4K Blu-ray August

Best Video:

Carlotta France Blu-ray slightly better than Arbelos US Blu-ray, both are FiM-encodes with tradeoffs. Carlotta is best in dark scenes.

Curzon UK Blu-ray has squished AR
Bela Tarr Curzon Collection uses the same bad Curzon Blu-ray

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The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) backdrop