Jon Stojan
MPI Media Group, in partnership with Dark Sky Films, unveils its plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the horror classic ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.’ A year-long series of events is announced, promising an immersive experience for fans worldwide.
March 7-9, 2024 (SXSW Festival, Austin, Texas): The festivities kick off at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival. MPI Media Group captures the imagination of horror aficionados with a live ice sculpture event on Rainey Street. An Austin-based sculptor, using a chainsaw, crafts a chilling rendition of the film’s new 50th-anniversary logo, symbolizing Leatherface’s iconic tool.
March 9, 2024: Following the sculpture showcase, MPI Media Group offers a unique photo opportunity for attendees with the ice carving until 7 p.m. This event also serves as a promotional platform for the upcoming ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: 50th Anniversary Chainsaw Edition‘ collector’s set.
May 2024 (Texas Frightmare Weekend, Dallas): In what’s billed as one of the largest reunions in the franchise’s history, MPI Media Group will orchestrate an assembly of twelve guests from the film’s legacy for Texas Frightmare Weekend. This event features special panels and appearances, allowing fans a rare opportunity to meet and engage with the stars and creators of the movie.
Spring-Summer 2024: MPI Media Group will continue the celebration across the United States with various events at key conventions. These events include exclusive screenings, discussion panels with filmmakers and actors, and exhibits showcasing memorabilia and artwork from the movie.
August 2024 (Museum of Modern Art, New York City): The restored film will premiere at the Museum of Modern Art, where it will be part of the institution’s permanent collection. This screening symbolizes the film’s cultural and cinematic significance.
Late 2024: Dark Sky Films, as part of the anniversary celebration, will release ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: 50th Anniversary Chainsaw Edition.’ This multi-disc set will include a new 4K UHD edition of the film, a Blu-ray with bonus features, and a VHS release. The collector’s set, shaped like a chainsaw and featuring sounds from the film, becomes a sought-after item for fans and collectors.
Adding to the rich tapestry of ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ anniversary celebrations is the storied history of the orchestrator behind these events, MPI Media Group. Founded in 1976 by brothers Malik & Waleed Ali, MPI Media Group is an American producer, distributor, and licensor of theatrical film and home entertainment. With headquarters in Orland Park, Illinois, MPI has grown into a multifaceted entity in the entertainment industry.
The group’s subsidiaries, which include MPI Pictures, MPI Home Video, Gorgon Video, and the renowned horror film distributor Dark Sky Films, illustrate the breadth of MPI’s involvement in various aspects of film and video. Notably, Dark Sky Films played a pivotal role in the year-long celebration of ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’, a testament to MPI’s commitment to honoring cinematic landmarks.
MPI also boasts ownership of the WPA Film Library, a significant resource offering an extensive collection of stock footage, including music performances, newsreels, political coverage, and pop culture moments. This archive, along with the British Pathe Newsreel Archive, positions MPI as a guardian of historical and cultural visual media.
The company’s origins as Maljack Productions, Inc. in 1976 marked the beginning of a journey to become an influential player in the video distribution sector. By 1983, MPI had made significant strides, with one of its first titles, The Beatles’ movie ‘A Hard Day’s Night’, commemorating the film’s 20th anniversary and achieving bestseller status on the Billboard Videocassette Top 40.
This foray into video distribution expanded into the realm of vintage TV shows, with The Prisoner being one of the early releases under the MPI Home Video label. MPI quickly established itself as a leader in the vintage television show industry, a status further cemented by its ventures with classic shows like The Honeymooners and Captain Kangaroo.
1984 saw the introduction of the Gorgon Video line, further diversifying MPI’s catalog.
Significant releases continued throughout the 1980s, including the David Selznick-produced Ronald Reagan documentary ‘Reagan’s Way’, and a distribution deal with Frank Zappa’s Honker Home Video in 1987 for videocassette releases.
From its inception, MPI Media Group has shown a dedication to preserving and celebrating film and television history. Its involvement in the 50th-anniversary events of ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ is a shining example of its continued commitment to delivering unique and memorable experiences to film fans, while simultaneously honoring the rich legacy of the cinematic arts. As MPI Media Group continues to evolve and expand, its role in shaping and commemorating film history remains an integral part of its identity.