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The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
1974
A quiet summer drive through rural Texas ends in violent tragedy when several youths encounter a chainsaw-wielding psychopathic killer and his demented family. Tobe Hooper's gruesome tale of terror is loosely based on the Ed Gein killings, which actually occurred in Plainsfield, Wisconsin. Shot in a neo-documentary style, this .. Read more
| Starring | Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger, William Vail, Gunnar Hansen |
|---|---|
| Director | Tobe Hooper |
| Genres | Horror |
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Critics' reviews
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A band of charmless youngsters ignore all the warnings and stumble across a psychopathic family (closer to Charles... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
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21 out of 21 people found this review helpful
Outstanding
I saw this film for the first time over 25 years after it's release and to be honest after having watched pretty much every decent horror offering available I wasn't expecting to be suprised. But suprised I was, immensely creepy, dark, disturbing and downright horrific is the best description I can think of. The seventies low budget feel definately adds to the general air of doom, especially in this age of polished movie making. A must see for all horror fans who like me have missed out on this bona-fide classic.
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12 out of 14 people found this review helpful
Horror in the heat
I watched this film many years ago way back in the seventies when I was a young lad and remember being horrified by it. So, renting this film again I wondered, will it stand the test of time, will it be corny?
Well, I am pleased to say that it does stand the test of time, easily - they knew how to make horror movies in the 70’s.
This film keeps you on edge the entire time – it has truly sick characters, piercing screams, a troubling soundtrack and a monotonous dose of Texas heat in which it all swirls about.
No supernatural here, just good all human evil that makes it all the more powerful. -
8 out of 11 people found this review helpful
A classic which has aged, but not too badly
I think this is a film that everyone into the horror genre should watch. It has some great (gruesome!) moments and even if it's a bit old now, it's got that great cheap-horror-flick thing working in it's favour.
Give it a go! It's a classic! -
Most recent members' reviews (2)
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6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Texas Script Massacre
Have you ever watched a film and gotten so fed up with the hero/heroine, that you find yourself rooting for the bad guys? Just like Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves, you’ll soon realise that trying to relate to the good guys isn’t going to work, because most of them are just too irritating. So where did it all go wrong?
1. Possibly the worst script ever - apart from the derisible 9 Songs. I’ve heard more intelligent dialogue in an episode of Scooby-Doo.
2. The most annoying characters you could imagine. Out of all of them, Franklin is the worst - his constant whining throughout the film is not ended soon enough (although I won’t give away the plot, even though there isn’t one) - I preferred the company of the mad hitchhiker.
3. The music. There is an unwritten law which states that all 70s horror films must contain terrible ’fingernails down a blackboard’ music. If you ask me, no music at all produces far more tension.
4. The camera angles. We’re talking This Life meets Blair Witch - in other words, a drunkard runs upwards on a downwards escalator holding a camera in one hand and a bottle of Scotch in the other.
5. Unashamed stereotyping. Apparently, everyone in Texas is either an intensely irritating teenager or an in-bred psycho hillbilly. Please make way, as I rush to book my flight to Dallas tomorrow…
6. Too long - could have sawn off (pun intended) 90 minutes at least.
7. The climax. A frankly bizarre final fifteen minutes, featuring an old guy covered in very bad papier mache (leftover from a primary school project, perhaps?) trying to bonk someone on the head with a hammer.
The only bit worth watching is an unintentionally hilarious moment - a girl is heard screaming “Make it stop - I‘ll do anything!” over and over again. I couldn’t help but agree with her, really.
This is without doubt the most awful, overrated film of all time (beating 28 Days Later into a close second). Similar to A Clockwork Orange, a film is banned (and must therefore be controversial but brilliant), everyone is told it is amazing by film critics, but in the end, disappointment is inevitable. If I have endure another minute of this on TV or DVD, I’ll probably find myself running down the road wildly waving my Black & Decker above my head! Apart from that, it’s brilliant! -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
This is a great horror if you take into account that it was made on a low budget in 1974.
Original idea, I can see why this is a cult classic, shocking and probably more so back in the 1970's. It doesn't shock or scare you compared to modern day horrors and it isn't half as jumpy as the 2003 remake but it as they say the original is always the best! I
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21 out of 21 people found this review helpful
Outstanding
I saw this film for the first time over 25 years after it's release and to be honest after having watched pretty much every decent horror offering available I wasn't expecting to be suprised. But suprised I was, immensely creepy, dark, disturbing and downright horrific is the best description I can think of. The seventies low budget feel definately adds to the general air of doom, especially in this age of polished movie making. A must see for all horror fans who like me have missed out on this bona-fide classic.
-
12 out of 14 people found this review helpful
Horror in the heat
I watched this film many years ago way back in the seventies when I was a young lad and remember being horrified by it. So, renting this film again I wondered, will it stand the test of time, will it be corny?
Well, I am pleased to say that it does stand the test of time, easily - they knew how to make horror movies in the 70’s.
This film keeps you on edge the entire time – it has truly sick characters, piercing screams, a troubling soundtrack and a monotonous dose of Texas heat in which it all swirls about.
No supernatural here, just good all human evil that makes it all the more powerful. -
8 out of 11 people found this review helpful
A classic which has aged, but not too badly
I think this is a film that everyone into the horror genre should watch. It has some great (gruesome!) moments and even if it's a bit old now, it's got that great cheap-horror-flick thing working in it's favour.
Give it a go! It's a classic! -
7 out of 9 people found this review helpful
Most realistic horror
As horror films go this is one of the most disturbing out there. The 70's was the best decade for films and especially tense n shockers examples include Jaws, Halloween, Exorcist, Taxi Driver, Deer Hunter and the texas chainsaw massacre, the best thing about the film is its atmosphere and realism which now days virtually no films have.
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6 out of 6 people found this review helpful
Texas Script Massacre
Have you ever watched a film and gotten so fed up with the hero/heroine, that you find yourself rooting for the bad guys? Just like Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves, you’ll soon realise that trying to relate to the good guys isn’t going to work, because most of them are just too irritating. So where did it all go wrong?
1. Possibly the worst script ever - apart from the derisible 9 Songs. I’ve heard more intelligent dialogue in an episode of Scooby-Doo.
2. The most annoying characters you could imagine. Out of all of them, Franklin is the worst - his constant whining throughout the film is not ended soon enough (although I won’t give away the plot, even though there isn’t one) - I preferred the company of the mad hitchhiker.
3. The music. There is an unwritten law which states that all 70s horror films must contain terrible ’fingernails down a blackboard’ music. If you ask me, no music at all produces far more tension.
4. The camera angles. We’re talking This Life meets Blair Witch - in other words, a drunkard runs upwards on a downwards escalator holding a camera in one hand and a bottle of Scotch in the other.
5. Unashamed stereotyping. Apparently, everyone in Texas is either an intensely irritating teenager or an in-bred psycho hillbilly. Please make way, as I rush to book my flight to Dallas tomorrow…
6. Too long - could have sawn off (pun intended) 90 minutes at least.
7. The climax. A frankly bizarre final fifteen minutes, featuring an old guy covered in very bad papier mache (leftover from a primary school project, perhaps?) trying to bonk someone on the head with a hammer.
The only bit worth watching is an unintentionally hilarious moment - a girl is heard screaming “Make it stop - I‘ll do anything!” over and over again. I couldn’t help but agree with her, really.
This is without doubt the most awful, overrated film of all time (beating 28 Days Later into a close second). Similar to A Clockwork Orange, a film is banned (and must therefore be controversial but brilliant), everyone is told it is amazing by film critics, but in the end, disappointment is inevitable. If I have endure another minute of this on TV or DVD, I’ll probably find myself running down the road wildly waving my Black & Decker above my head! Apart from that, it’s brilliant! -
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful
30 years ago yes
Just didnt do it for me after 30 years! Still think the opening 15 minutes are the best just full of foreboding and a still a better watch than the remake. Also, interesting to note how much audio has improved over the years. The sound recording reminded me of a porno flick so couldnt help giggling where I shouldnt have. Like me, 30 years have done nothing to improve this film!
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
well worth watching on DVD
I did not see the original video version but, if the out-takes are anything to go by, they've made a great job of re-mastering it.
A bit tame by today's standards, but definitely worth watching. -
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Raw ,Gritty and Very Unerving
I havn't seen the remake but this is what horror films should be about. Its has a very simple plot and dosnt't mess around with trying to scare you with a big build up or poor music. The print of the film adds to the intestity which a remake could never simulate. It is very disturbing and believable. Every horror fan should have this in their top ten. I saw a few trailers for the remake and they decided to add a few charachters which didnt even apprear in the original. A very original film which I would reccomend
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
STONKING HORROR MOVIE
Saw this masterpiece of the horror cannon at the cinema when it was re-released. At the time I was 18 and knew nothing of the movie except it was banned, it did not have much gore and it was very pyshcological. I had not read any reviews and can honestly i hasd only turned off one other horror movie before it finshed through being scared. Almost immediatley from the start I know i was going to suffer. No other movie to this day has affected me so much. The horror begins almost straight away and continues to ratchet up to unbearable levels through out the movie. Three times in the cinema i nearly walked out, the reason i did not was because i did not want my friend to think i was a coward.
The whole point of the was movie was to scare people and i think it suceeds in a way no other horror movie has or will ever again, due in no small part to the sound effects through out the movie and the very gritty camera work. An absolute must for all horror fans, and really the adage turn the lights off and the sound up has never been more true.
Avoid the sequels and the remake like a steven segal however -
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful
The epitome of horror
In technical terms, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a bad film. The acting and the script are terrible, and the production values are extremely low. Not only that, but the film lacks any real plot and the characters are so badly done that we can't care for them at all. So then, why is this film one of the most important and influential that cinema has to offer? Why does it have legions of fans, why has it become one of the most imitated films in cinema history? Because it's absolute pure, balls to the wall, uncompromising, unflinching horror - that's why! In fact, it may even be the 'purest' horror film ever made. There is nothing here but horror, and that gets a big thumbs up from me. And every other horror fan, I'm sure.
The film, loosely based on the American serial killer, Ed Gein, features very little in the way of gore, but masses and masses in the way of suspense. At times, like the part of the film that sees Leatherface chase our heroine, chainsaw in hand through the woodlands of the area that surrounds the killer's house, the suspense is so tense that it's hard to watch. The sequence itself actually doesn't last long, but because it's so nail-biting, it feels like it lasts for hours. The films plays like this for the majority of it's running time; it doesn't show the chainsaw tearing flesh, but it does show you the build up, and, at times, brief imagery depicting what is happening; and that's all we need. The film is very brutal and it is not an experience that you will easily forget; the scene that sees the almost deceased grandfather suck on a young girls finger is an image that I personally will never forget.
The majority of the characters in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre aren't worth mentioning, with two exceptions; Franklin and, of course, Leatherface. Franklin is, probably, one of the most annoying characters ever created in cinema. So annoying, in fact, that you'll be over the moon when he gets it. In stark contrast to Franklin, Leatherface is the absolute star of the show. Like the film itself, Leatherface is brutal. From the ungraceful way that he moves, down to the cold and animalistic way that he behaves, Leatherface is the epitome of terror. When coupled with the movie's weapon of choice, and my personal favourite - the chainsaw, it takes the character into a whole different dimension. The chainsaw is a piece of kit that takes on a life of it's own when it's engine is revved. It screams terror, and Tobe Hooper obviously knew this from the callous way that the weapon is brought to life in this film.
There isn't much else to say about this film that hasn't been said a million times before, so I guess all there is left is - watch it! The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a film of such majestic importance that it should be made a crime for any fan of cinema not to watch it. Highest recommendations from me.
Critics' reviews
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A band of charmless youngsters ignore all the warnings and stumble across a psychopathic family (closer to Charles... read more on Time Out
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
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Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The - BLU-RAY Version
A quiet summer drive through rural Texas ends in violent tragedy when several youths encounter a chainsaw-wielding psychopathic killer and his demented family. Tobe Hooper's gruesome tale of terror is loosely based on the Ed Gein killings, which actually occurred in Plainsfield, Wisconsin. Shot in ...
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The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
A quiet summer drive through rural Texas ends in violent tragedy when several youths encounter a chainsaw-wielding psychopathic killer and his demented family. Tobe Hooper's gruesome tale of terror is loosely based on the Ed Gein killings, which actually occurred in Plainsfield, Wisconsin. Shot in ...
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