Collector Hoards 600 DVDs and Plastic Chainsaws for Horror Film Investment
Three blood-spattered plastic chainsaws sit in a hallway in Berlin, acting as a financial safety net and a physical monument to a collection of more than 600 DVDs and Blu-rays. taz.de reported that the owner, a collector of 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s horror cinema, built a custom hallway shelf to house titles like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Maniac, Day of the Dead, and Braindead.
German Censorship and the Foreign Video Trade
German horror fans faced a restricted market during the 1980s, when youth protection agencies and law enforcement officials placed nearly every major shocker into the official index or prohibited them outright. taz.de and europesays.com reported that selling tapes of films like Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead could land a vendor in prison. To circumvent the crackdown, specialized traders imported uncut video cassettes from neighboring countries, charging high prices and spawning countless low-quality copy generations where muddy picture quality obscured whether a character was sawing wood or human flesh.
Market Value of Deluxe Horror Bundles and Signed Boxes
Modern collector editions command hundreds of euros on resale markets, transforming casual purchases into speculative financial assets. The Legendary Bundle Deluxe edition of Texas Chainsaw Massacre launched with a retail price of 150 euros, featuring a 75-centimeter plastic chainsaw equipped with sound effects and a blood-spattered yellow box, but now commands up to 600 euros on eBay. taz.de and europesays.com noted that director-signed film boxes fetch up to 2,000 euros, while specialized items like a pierced rubber tongue from Ichi the Killer or a Tanz der Teufel release containing a vomit bag regularly sell for at least 200 euros.
Berlin Filmbörse Trade and the Search for Rare Rarities
Physical film conventions keep the physical media market alive for collectors combing through specialized physical marketplaces. taz.de reported that a recurring film exchange in Berlin-Tegel draws middle-aged buyers equipped with black backpacks to sift through horror rarities inside a large dance hall. Attendees browse items such as a complete wooden box set of the Friday the 13th franchise priced at 2,000 euros and a Tanz der Teufel 2 release styled after the Necronomicon book for 157 euros.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are these specific horror films missing from streaming platforms?
Many classic shockers remain absent from digital libraries because German authorities banned them for decades under strict youth protection laws, or because rights holders do not see enough commercial demand to license them for streaming.
How much do the plastic chainsaws cost compared to real ones?
The plastic chainsaws included in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre deluxe bundle cost 150 euros at retail and trade for up to 600 euros on eBay, which is enough to purchase a functional, real-world chainsaw.
What other unusual items come packed in these horror editions?
Special editions documented by taz.de include a pierced rubber tongue from Ichi the Killer packed with fake blood and a special edition of The Evil Dead that includes an actual throw-up bag for squeamish viewers.
Where do collectors buy and sell these rare physical editions?
Collectors trade these rare physical editions online through platforms like eBay and in person at specialized film conventions, such as the market held in Berlin-Tegel for nearly thirty years.
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