8mm Forum: Texas Chainsaw super 8mm question

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Posted by Mathew Pullan (Member # 3355) on January 06, 2013, 04:00 PM:

Hi to everyone, apologies for having not introduced myself, just trying to track down some information about this IFS release of Texas Chainsaw Massacre... is it supposed to have two reels or just the one? I recently aquired this with only one reel however there are two spaces in the box....
[Confused]

Mathew.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d107/mathew3857/SAM_1197.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d107/mathew3857/SAM_1198.jpg

Posted by Mark Williams (Member # 794) on January 06, 2013, 05:20 PM:

Hi Mathew,

Welcome to the 8mm forum!!

I think you will find that Iver issued this as a stand alone 1 x 400ft digest version but put it in a standard double album box with spaces for 2 x 400ft reels when there supplies of the standard hard cassette type 2 piece case ran out.

Iver were apparently going to release a 2 x 400ft 30 minute + version of TCM but it was never released as far as I am aware?

BTW the box looks in tip top condition [Smile]

Posted by Joe Taffis (Member # 4) on January 06, 2013, 05:35 PM:

The 4X400' feature was in two identical clamshell cases like yours Mathew, two reels in each, That was the way I got mine when it was first available from RED FOX FILMS.

Posted by Mathew Pullan (Member # 3355) on January 06, 2013, 06:04 PM:

Thankyou for both of your help, I will have to try and watch it and find out wether it is the standard 1 reel edition then, yes it is in beautiful condion so would be a shame in some ways if its only 1/4 of the film!

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on January 06, 2013, 06:05 PM:

The film was released by Iver Films Joe, and the first ones were
supplied 5x400' in card boxes. This version was the complete
uncut version, then it was re-released as a 4x400 and two 400'
versions, one by Iver that ran 21 mins and the other by Derann
that ran for 17 mins.The 5x400' being withdrawn.

Posted by Joe Taffis (Member # 4) on January 06, 2013, 10:12 PM:

Yes Hugh, I know it was released by IVER FILM SERVICES, but it was first AVAILABLE here through RED FOX FILMS, which is where I bought mine way back when....I also bought the 400' Derann digest from RF, and it was washed out and badly edited in my opinion....

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on January 07, 2013, 07:12 AM:

Yes, the Derann print was not done well,as it misses one of the murders,Derann were forced to withdraw shortly after releasing
as Iver held copyright, but I didn't know that Red Fox had put this
out as well.

Posted by Lee Mannering (Member # 728) on January 07, 2013, 08:10 AM:

Hi Mathew. I used to hire the 5 X 400ft reel version from Barry Wiles films in the 1970's for a modest cost and he would always let me loan a short film free each time I called.
Good times..

Posted by Mathew Pullan (Member # 3355) on January 07, 2013, 08:36 AM:

Ahh would love to be able to see the full film on this format. The problem is tracking one down even on the 4 reel seems near impossible! I have checked this copy and it looks like it is the heavily abridged 21 minute version, still pretty good as has most of the best scenes.

Posted by Joe Taffis (Member # 4) on January 07, 2013, 10:19 AM:

Mathew, the 4X400' version, which I have a very good print of thanks to Ian of Perry's, is only missing two things. The narration by John Larroquette at the beginning, and a few snips in the scenes near the end where Jim Siedow takes Sally/Marilyn to his family's house in the truck, that's it. The rest of the film is complete as far as I can tell, and I've seen the feature many times. Three times in theaters in 1974, then many times over the years on BETA,VHS,and DVD along with the super 8 versions I mentioned. Hugh, although Ron (RED FOX) didn't actually release them, or list them in his catalogs, he did have both IVER and DERANN prints there at his place for sale. He and Derrick were good friends, so that may have been his source for them.

Posted by Mark Williams (Member # 794) on January 07, 2013, 02:17 PM:

Mathew,

The 4 x 400ft version is very common indeed and usually appears at the BFCC on a regular basis on the bring and buy stall and also pops up on EBay but be prepared to pay a premium price!

Posted by Hugh Thompson Scott (Member # 2922) on January 07, 2013, 02:24 PM:

I thought it odd Joe, as I'd never come across a Red Fox edition.
I got mine by advance order way back in '77 from Iver when they
announced it in Movie Maker.From an earlier thread, I believe
that there are not many extended versions out there.

Posted by Mathew Pullan (Member # 3355) on January 07, 2013, 02:30 PM:

Hi Mark, I do not believe I have seen one on ebay ever, don't mind paying for it however if it does turn up!

Have yet to try one of the conventions, however looks like I may have to give it a go.

Posted by Joe Taffis (Member # 4) on January 07, 2013, 05:01 PM:

Hi Hugh, I guess I didn't make myself clear. RED FOX didn't sell this title under the RED FOX name or boxes. Ron (Red Fox Enterprises) Knorr sold other companies releases as well as his own. It was sold in the original IFS clamshell cases like Mathew has, and I think the DERANN 400' was in a plastic case, but it may have just been a plain card box. Wow, that was a long time ago, the good old days! [Smile]

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