A MOVIE lover is offering a rare chance to see a double bill of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre horror films on traditional celluloid.

Darren Payne runs Dirt in the Gate, a series of films shown the old-fashioned way at Boscombe’s Shelley Theatre on Saturday, March 4.

He has hired the last 35mm print in the UK of the 1986 horror sequel, while the controversial, low-budget original will be shown the way it was shot, on 16mm.

All other cinemas in Dorset have converted to digital projection, but Mr Payne bought a 35mm projector from Italy to help keep celluloid alive.

He said: “I’m a supporter of digital – it’s fantastic, it’s the same every time, but I also think we shouldn’t kill film off, we shouldn’t forget it.

“It’s really important to keep that culture alive and making sure that films are available to be seen.”

Last year, Dirt in the Gate showed a series of films including The Exorcist and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

“We had a great year last year, rounded off with Gremlins,” said Mr Payne.

“This year we’re concentrating on some double bills, kicking off the year with The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 1 and 2. The films are poles apart, completely different, but seeing them in that context reinforces the unique viewing experience.”

The original The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was banned by the British Board of Film Censors despite its lack of explicit gore. The censors said it was the disturbing atmosphere, rather than violence, which was objectionable, so it would be hard for any cuts to make it acceptable.

The film surfaced on video in the early 1980s before being branded a “video nasty” and was not given a certificate until 1999.

Mr Payne said his would be the first local showing since it was shown at the Bournemouth Odeon at the end of the 1990s. “It’s great to screen it again on the big screen with its very weird sequels,” he said.

He plans to show the 1987 horror comedy The Lost Boys and have a 35mm film festival in September.

“Shelley Theatre have been absolutely fantastic hosts. It’s the perfect environment for screening these films,” he said.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre double bill is on Saturday, March 4, 7pm, with Texicana themed food from Travels With My Aunt World Cafe. Tickets cost £8.50 at shelleytheatre.co.uk