The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1973)
"he film which you are about to see is an account of the tragedy which befell a group of five youths, in particular Sally Hardesty and her invalid brother, Franklin. It is all the more tragic in that they were young. But, had they lived very, very long lives, they could not have expected nor would they have wished to see as much of the mad and macabre as they were to see that day. For them an idyllic summer afternoon drive became a nightmare. The events of that day were to lead to the discovery of one of the most bizarre crimes in the annals of American history, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre."
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was released in 1973. It was Directed and Produced by Tobe Hooper and written by Kim Henkel and Tobe Hooper. I loved this movie and is definitely a must see for any fan of the slasher genre of horror in general. Just to let you know this article may contain spoilers, You have been warned.
A news reporter relays the news of a grave robbery as the camera pans down on a morbid display of viscera in a cemetery. The reports fades into a series of news bulletins as a van drives along a highway between dead dried up fields. The tales of abuse and horror fade as the main cast exit the van. We are Introduced to Sally Hardstey(Marilyn Burns) and her Paraplegic brother Franklin(Paul A. Partain) along with their friends. Jerry(Allen Danziger), Kirk(William Vail) and Pam(Teri McMinn). They pick up a hitchhiker(Edwin Neal) and they soon come to regret. Compared to many other horror movies, (I'm looking at you Saw franchise), the violence is toned down. That being said the hitchhikers self-mutilation as well as his attacking of Franklin were visceral and uncomfortable.
The First death though only lasting a few seconds is a suckerpunch to the system, what had been a slow build-up erupts in the appearance of Leatherface in all his slashing glory. The death of Kirk is quick and gruesome while the subsequent torture of Pam is long and unyielding. TCM horror lies in the implication in the long drawn out way that violence is carried out. It doesn't hold the audience hands it stabs it and then watches the pain and struggle as we carry out our first aid.
As Leatherface pulls out his iconic and titular weapon for a little midday charcuterie, Sally and Franklin fight, Sally wanting to find her friends and Franklin wanting to GTFO. Franklin's physical handicap becomes apparent. He calls out to Sally asking her to push him because he can't make it on the trail. Franklin is also unable to defend himself against leatherface's attack, Slasher films are all about the Killer and his Victims it's seen as a play of cat an mouse like that you see in I know what you did last summer. TCM was one of the progenitors of the slasher genre and so the death is not as well polished. Some victims trap themselves in bizarre horrific traps such as Allison Cordays death in Saw. Others like Franklin are victims of circumstance, being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Story then follows Sally, The Last Girl.
Sally escapes from Leatherface in a bout of physical action. Her Subsequent scene with the Propieter is gut wrenching and engaging, Sally nearing screaming out suffering from complete physical exhaustion and fear while the propriety tried to comfort her. That is so he can betray her.
I actually appreciated the next scenes. The Introduction of the members of the sawyer Family characterized and humanized them in a way that later slasher films. Many later slashers were a bit blank, (he plot in I know what you did last summer surrounded the fisherman yet you barely see him the entire film,) but Leatherface and the Sawyers have depth. The Idiosyncrasy of the family help Sally escape this time jumping through a 2 story window. She limps away and after a brief fight eventually escapes from leatherface and the slaughterhouse.
Sally encapsulates the Final girl trope and she does it well. her Determination to survive saves her in the end going through a great amount of physical pain to achieve it. Sally's escape in the end is what gives the movie closure. Later movies are about defeating the evil, fighting back against the slasher. This movie is about surviving realizing that sometimes its hard to beat a guy with a chainsaw.
Overall, I heavily enjoyed Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the gore was a lot more subdued than I was expecting but there were several scenes of Mutilation that got under my skin. The movie is action packed gory and a has surprising well put together plot. The film is excellent and its status as a classic is rightfully earned.
A news reporter relays the news of a grave robbery as the camera pans down on a morbid display of viscera in a cemetery. The reports fades into a series of news bulletins as a van drives along a highway between dead dried up fields. The tales of abuse and horror fade as the main cast exit the van. We are Introduced to Sally Hardstey(Marilyn Burns) and her Paraplegic brother Franklin(Paul A. Partain) along with their friends. Jerry(Allen Danziger), Kirk(William Vail) and Pam(Teri McMinn). They pick up a hitchhiker(Edwin Neal) and they soon come to regret. Compared to many other horror movies, (I'm looking at you Saw franchise), the violence is toned down. That being said the hitchhikers self-mutilation as well as his attacking of Franklin were visceral and uncomfortable.
The First death though only lasting a few seconds is a suckerpunch to the system, what had been a slow build-up erupts in the appearance of Leatherface in all his slashing glory. The death of Kirk is quick and gruesome while the subsequent torture of Pam is long and unyielding. TCM horror lies in the implication in the long drawn out way that violence is carried out. It doesn't hold the audience hands it stabs it and then watches the pain and struggle as we carry out our first aid.
As Leatherface pulls out his iconic and titular weapon for a little midday charcuterie, Sally and Franklin fight, Sally wanting to find her friends and Franklin wanting to GTFO. Franklin's physical handicap becomes apparent. He calls out to Sally asking her to push him because he can't make it on the trail. Franklin is also unable to defend himself against leatherface's attack, Slasher films are all about the Killer and his Victims it's seen as a play of cat an mouse like that you see in I know what you did last summer. TCM was one of the progenitors of the slasher genre and so the death is not as well polished. Some victims trap themselves in bizarre horrific traps such as Allison Cordays death in Saw. Others like Franklin are victims of circumstance, being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Story then follows Sally, The Last Girl.
Sally escapes from Leatherface in a bout of physical action. Her Subsequent scene with the Propieter is gut wrenching and engaging, Sally nearing screaming out suffering from complete physical exhaustion and fear while the propriety tried to comfort her. That is so he can betray her.
I actually appreciated the next scenes. The Introduction of the members of the sawyer Family characterized and humanized them in a way that later slasher films. Many later slashers were a bit blank, (he plot in I know what you did last summer surrounded the fisherman yet you barely see him the entire film,) but Leatherface and the Sawyers have depth. The Idiosyncrasy of the family help Sally escape this time jumping through a 2 story window. She limps away and after a brief fight eventually escapes from leatherface and the slaughterhouse.
Sally encapsulates the Final girl trope and she does it well. her Determination to survive saves her in the end going through a great amount of physical pain to achieve it. Sally's escape in the end is what gives the movie closure. Later movies are about defeating the evil, fighting back against the slasher. This movie is about surviving realizing that sometimes its hard to beat a guy with a chainsaw.
Overall, I heavily enjoyed Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the gore was a lot more subdued than I was expecting but there were several scenes of Mutilation that got under my skin. The movie is action packed gory and a has surprising well put together plot. The film is excellent and its status as a classic is rightfully earned.
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