In what has become an annual tradition, I have decided to embark in a third round of the 50 Movies Project. The premise is simple — I have put together a list of 50 movies that I feel I absolutely must see in order to continue my progression as a film lover. With so many films to see, it’s easy to get off track and forget about some of the essentials. This is my way of making sure I watch those that have been on my “must see” list for too long.
![The Texas Chain Saw Massacre [1974]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/the-texas-chain-saw-massacre-poster.jpg)
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre [1974]
Director: Tobe Hooper
Writers: Tobe Hooper, Kim Henkel
Country: USA
Genre: Horror
Starring: Marilyn Burns, Edwin Neal, Allen Danziger, Gunnar Hansen
Running Time: 83 minutes
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is pure, unadulterated terror.
Other slasher flicks have tried to imitate this over the years, but there’s a reason this is considered one of the most terrifying films ever made. Yet even with this recognition, I don’t think I was ready for *this* type of madness.
The film tells the story of a group of five friends, including Sally Hardesty (Marilyn Burns) and her paraplegic brother Franklin (Paul A. Partain), who are traveling to investigate possible acts of vandalism at the grave of the Hardestys’ grandfather. While in the area, they decide to visit their grandpa’s old house, now a run-down shack.
![The Texas Chain Saw Massacre [1974]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/texas-chainsaw-massacre-1974.jpg)
The peculiarities begin when the group picks up a hitchhiker along the way. This guy (played eccentrically by Edwin Neal) is completely off his rocker, rambling — in great detail — about an old slaughterhouse his family worked at. His erratic behavior only escalates, leading to the group kicking him out of their van, thinking that’s the last they will see of him.
When they finally reach their grandpa’s house, they begin exploring the bountiful land it was built upon. There’s another house not too far in the distance, and two members of the group head in that direction in hopes of borrowing some gasoline.
Enter: Leatherface.
![The Texas Chain Saw Massacre [1974]](https://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/leatherface.jpg)
In what is arguably one of the most startling introductions in horror history, Leatherface makes his first appearance by unconventional means. Whereas most horror films slowly build up the suspense before introducing the main antagonist, here Leatherface simply enters the frame with no warning, knocks someone out with a mallet and then slams the door in our faces. It’s all done so matter-of-factly, and it’s utterly brilliant.
From there, the terror only intensifies, with characters getting picked off one-by-one until only one remains. This poor girl has an awful, awful night, getting chased by a chainsaw-wielding Leatherface through seemingly endless fields. Eventually, she is forced to endure a dinner with “the family”, in a scene so bizarre that I’m pretty sure I just sat there with my mouth gaping open. The last ten minutes or so of the film are balls-to-the-wall insane — I can’t think of a more intense conclusion in any other movie.
It’s amazing that The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was filmed on a budget of under $300,000. It’s clearly low budget, with a cast of mostly unknown actors, but it all feels so authentic. This is a story that could happen in real life (it is loosely based on the real-life serial killer, Ed Gein), and it’s the type of film that will make you think twice about stopping in small towns. Completely, absolutely horrifying.
Great review, it sounds terrifying and one of the reasons I have put off watching it for so long..
Thanks! Yeah, this is a pretty intense film. I felt like I knew what to expect, but nothing could have prepared me for the last ten minutes or so.
Excellent post, such a horror classic, love the grainy feel to it.
Thanks, Vinnie. This is right up there with the first Halloween as some of the finest horror I have seen.
One of the weirdest reasons I think this movie works so well and is so effective, is because most of it takes place during the day, usually when you suspect nothing bad or terrifying to happen to people in movies. I don’t know, to me, that showed that this wasn’t going to be your typical horror movie, that played by the rules and gave you the scares you expected. Good review Eric.
That’s a great observation, Dan. I think the daylight really does help to enhance the realism of the scares. And that final shot of Leatherface waving the chainsaw frantically while the sun sets in the background is damn near poetic.
That’s the main scene I was thinking about. Especially her screaming in the back of that pick-up too. Doesn’t get any more horrifyingly beautiful than that.
Intense and horrible are two of the best words to describe it, but it isn’t bloody in the slightest, which I know puts some off from watching. Excellent movie
Completely agree… the ending especially is ridiculously intense.
This one scared the shit out of me. There was something extreme to the violence that I couldn’t bear. Also, the dinner scene is insane. Great horror film.
It really is a crazy film. So blunt in its violence, and relentlessly terrifying overall.
I must admit, I only sat through Texas Chainsaw Massacre once when I was younger. I might have revisit it provided I have the time outside schoolwork, projects, and upcoming midterms.
Goofy 70s fashion aside, it holds up very well. Fantastic film.
Great review! Texas Chainsaw Massacre is so clever and effective in the way it was made it’s no surprise why it’s still such a popular film to new generations.
Sidenote: the 50 film project, so clever!
Thank you! It’s quite impressive that this film still holds up today, even with countless imitations and ripoffs over the years.
Oh completely, it holds the same impact now as before! I feel like the Strangers was a good modern horror that also played on the whole fear of unknown etc. What did you think of it?
Hmm, I haven’t seen The Strangers. Sounds like it’s something I should check out…?
It’s quite good in terms of building suspense and drawing on that rather than focusing on gore. Cleverly written and worth checking out!
Will do, thanks for the recommendation!
Great review, Eric. Can’t say I’m a fan of this film, though… it fell flat for me in a lot of ways. I respect its influence, though.
Thanks, Morgan. Now you’ve got me curious… looking forward to your take on it!
It’s up at Fogs’ now. 🙂
Texas Chainsaw was a watershed moment; nobody had seen anything like it before. In addition to being terrifying, it is a true, macabre piece of art. Great, great movie.
I wish I had been around to see this during its original theatrical run. Would love to have seen the reaction from the audience.
Such a great, scary movie. That moment Leatherface shows up is really memorable. I also really like the remake version from 2003.
The Leatherface intro really is quite brilliant. Not what I expected at all. I saw the remake years ago and liked it back then. I’m curious to give it a watch now that I’ve seen the original.