The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
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5 youths are on their way for a good time through the backroads of the Texas countryside, but they're about to meet the family of hell. It all started with some grave robbings which have gotten the local communities all upset and Sarah and her invalid Brother, Franklin take 3 friends to check on the grave of their grandfather. After figuring out all is well they continue on to try to find their dad' old house. It is then they pick up a hitchhiker, but not just an ordinary one. From the moment he enters he is trying to amaze and scare his new friends. Of course starting a fire and stabbing Franklin doesn't make him anymore dear to them. Once they release this stranger, they end up stopping at a local gas station. They meet an eccentric old man who has no gasoline to offer. It is then that they drive off and find the old house and start to party. But 2 friends decide to see if there is a local watering hole from some bathing, and insteadencounter an empty house but one which may have gas in storage. Once they go to ask for help, they start to vanish. It is then that the nightmare starts, and one by one meet the strange and murderous residents of the house. And life will never be the same.
Overall: Definately one of the scarier horror films out there, but the movie moves too slow in the beginning to keep you motivated. Granted "Choptop" is good at scaring the van's passengers but once he leaves, 25 minutes rolls by with no action. The scenes involving Leatherface and his victims are also very quick, but at least by this point stuff has begun to happen. As is well known the character of Leatherface was modled after real serial killer, Ed Gein. Good film but I prefer part 2. (3/04) I caught the deleted scenes & other stuff on the DVD of this film. Glad they did keep this stuff but warning, the stuff is all silent - no sound. Most didn't need to be added at all, except the scene involving Leatherface & the lipstick. That would have helped for continuity sake. However I liked the "script excerpts" that were included as a bit of commentary for the scenes. Nice touch. I also caught the dvd of "Texas Chainsaw Massacre: A Family Portrait." That was also interesting in discussing the 4 family characters speaking with each actor. The best parts were when they discussed the movie and such but it got very long and old as they went off topic to other things. Finally, the IFC cable tv channel aired a special called "American Nightmare" detailing indie horror from the 1970's and had discussions on this film included. That's a must see with how Tobe Hooper came up with ideas for the film, where this film's place in movie history is, as well as the history of America in terms on cinema. Check that out. Comparison: Toolbox Murders meets Seven |
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