The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974).

Review #1297: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

Cast: 
Marilyn Burns (Sally Hardesty), Allen Danziger (Jerry), Paul A. Partain (Franklin Hardesty), William Vail (Kirk), Teri McMinn (Pam), Edwin Neal (Nubbins Sawyer - The Hitchiker), Jim Siedow (Drayton Sawyer - The Proprietor), Gunnar Hansen (Leatherface), John Dugan (Grandpa Sawyer), and John Larroquette (Narrator) Directed by Tobe Hooper (#348 - Poltergeist)

Review: 
When it comes to raw and authentic pieces of slasher horror, there really is nothing like this film. Sure, there had been previous films that had linings of what you could call a slasher (such as Psycho or Peeping Tom from 1960), but this one certainly stands out in a decade that burgeoned an era of horror films with a crazed killer and certain bladed tools (which is true for Black Christmas as well, released in the same month as this film) that had its influence from serial killers. It is a discomforting film that is unflinching in its method of madness when it comes to horror, right down to its grisly imagery that starts from the very get-go, lingering in terror in a manner that stands just as tall as it did over four decades ago. Hooper utilized his idea of making a film about isolation and darkness to go along with graphic coverage utilized on news outlets of the time, co-writing the screenplay with Kim Henkel. The budget has been estimated to be around $80,000-140,000, with unknown actors utilized for the roles, who had to deal with humid conditions that once peaked at 110 degrees. 

It manages to be such an unsettling film with its gritty imagery and the moments that surround its title massacre, where being isolated in the backwoods almost seems scary enough before encountering creeps like these. It comes together at its own pace for 83 minutes without leaving the horror mind begging for more, giving one quite a fear already without having to go for the gut every time. That's not to say that this film is restrained in any way, it just means that the film works so well without even having to show such a big body count or with having to build its deaths up to high levels. When it needs to let itself into the madhouse, it does so without too much trouble. Of the castmates that we are introduced to early on, Burns comes out the best, proving capable with the opening parts that soon settle into much creepier elements, such as watching someone talk about their former job in the slaughterhouse or faced with having to have dinner with some disturbing people and the screams that come with it. It might not take much to seem convincing when it comes to having to deal with terror for a movie, but she sure does a pretty good job in making it seem real enough to resonate with its audience. Neal and Sideow are creepy enough when the time is needed, and Hansen (who wore just one mask throughout the whole film due to fears over damaging their only costume) is excellent with a role that requires only to make a lumbering chainsaw-wielder have some sort of voice that doesn't usually come from these particular movies. It never lets go on suspense and the looming horror by being grisly yet effective with its choices from Hooper. 

It should prove no surprise that there were follow-up films released in the years to come. Twelve years later, Hooper returned to direct a sequel, which mixed slasher and black comedy elements. There were two following sequels released in 1990 and 1995 (the latter directed by Hinkel) before a remake was released in 2003, which inspired its own prequel three years later. After that followed Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013), which acted as a direct sequel to only the first film. Naturally, another prequel to the series followed with Leatherface (2017). On the whole, this is a film that can be credited as a key influence for the slasher genre along with being a great horror film that delivers most on its intent of showing terror in the woods with a chainsaw and imagery to go with it.

Thankful to have done five reviews in the span of a week for Halloween - The Week After, the first themed-week of any kind in years for this show. It was interesting to think of what should and should or shouldn't be included while making sure they were (mostly) written on time. I don't usually tell what a following review will be, so that's a new one. Actually, I can say what the next one will be, since I pushed it to be after this theme week ended. Hope you enjoyed it.

Next Review: They Live.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.