Texas Chainsaw Movies

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 is a 1986 US horror by Tobe Hooper.
With Dennis Hopper, Caroline Williams and Jim Siedow.

Scott writes:

I've been researching The Texas Chainsaw Massacre II's history with the BBFC. I've found in a book called The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Companion , by Stefan Jaworzyn. Here's what I've learnt from the book:

The film was submitted to the BBFC by Columbia-Cannon-Warner (CCW) in 1986. The Board viewed the uncut film three times. Even after the third viewing, on October 23rd 1986, they still couldn't decide whether to cut heavily or outright Reject.

The distributors then submitted a pre-cut version, known as the "Northern European Cannon Cut" . The technical manager of CCW, Steve Southgate, wrote to the BBFC on October 29th to detail some of the cuts to this version:

• "The opening scene with the boys in a car, when they are attacked, now only consists of one shot of an open head wound."

• "Scene in radio station where L.G. is being hit on his head with a hammer now has been reduced to only three blows. (The scene with the girl sitting with her legs astride with Leather Face in front of her with chainsaw remains the same.)"

• "The scene with Dennis Hopper going into the underground cabin for the first time, where he discovers blood and entrails coming out of a wall has been shortened."

• "The complete scene where Leather Face uses an electric knife on L.G. removing flesh from legs, chest and face has been removed, and also Leather Face placing skin mask on girl's face has been removed."

• The scene where Leather Face has chainsaw put through his chest has been shortened to establishing shot only. The scene with Chop-Top cutting his throat has been shortened. The scene with Chop-Top slashing girls back with cutthroat razor has been reduced.

Despite the heavy pre-cuts, this still failed to get through.

By May 21st 1987, numerous cut versions had been attempted, and all had failed, yet the BBFC felt it was worth cutting further. At this point, the distributors gave up.

The unreasonable dithering by the BBFC has been widely interpreted as an unofficial ban where no amount of cuts would have actually been acceptable to the BBFC.

The distributors had to wait until James Ferman left the board before trying again. Under the stewardship of Robin Duval the film was finally passed 18 uncut in 2001.

Texas Chainsaw is a 2013 USA horror thriller by John Luessenhop.
With Alexandra Daddario, Tania Raymonde, Scott Eastwood.

It was cut for an MPAA R rating, and this version was then distributed worldwide for theatrical release and home video.

The cuts were restored for an Unrated release but so far this has only been available on digital download.

Now the Unrated Version looks set to be released on DVD and Blu-ray, at least in France.

A 'Version Integrale' is now announced for:

• 2013 Metropolitan [3D + 2D] Blu-ray/R2 DVD Combo at France Amazon released on 4th December
• 2013 Metropolitan R2 DVD Combo at France Amazon released on 4th December

The disks include the original English soundtrack.