Stars: Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger, William Vail, Gunnar Hansen

Director: Tobe Hooper

Summary: A quiet summer drive through rural Texas ends in violent tragedy when several youths encounter a chainsaw-wielding psychopathic killer and his demented family.

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 incredibly influential horror film spawned numerous sequels and imitations.

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Reviewed by: philreyn
Posted on October 17, 2005 12:58 PM

First viewing of this tell you it's very low budget, and most likely gets your attention by the reference to a true story. It doesn't tell you that it's only very loosley related to the true story. The acting and the direction is very poor, but it does get a little scary when leatherface comes out with the chainsaw. If your a fan 70's type horror then this is for you. My advise is to buy the remake version, it's better made, more scary, and has an extra section that tells you the real story.

Reviewed by: davybozal24-7
Posted on March 29, 2006 1:47 PM

This film was first released to a shocked public in 1974 . In this version which is Tobe Hooper's original uncut masterpiece of 1 hour and 22 minutes , nothing is left to the imagination. As usual in a film which is supposed to be based on actual events this wee gem just about deserves its reputation as part of a compelling genre of a new wave of American horror films . Gunnar Hansen as Leatherface steals the show , and deservedly so as he puts his all into a part that was to make him a cult idol . 72 minute documentary ok.

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The 2003 version of The Texas Chainsaw Massacreadheres to the pure-and-simple slasher-movie formula: introduce a gaggle of sexy young people, make vague gestures to distinguish them--Jessica Biel wants to get married and doesn't like pot, so she's our moral compass--then start hacking them to pieces one by one. The visual palette includes grimy crucified dolls, fly-specked pig carcasses, body parts floating in murky jars, a tobacco-chewing redneck sheriff and many slender beams of sunlight cutting through dank, dusty interiors. The camera lovingly photographs Biel's tank-topped bosom and sculpted abs as she's running in terror from a bloated, chainsaw-wielding, human-skin-wearing maniac. This remake lacks the macabre comedy of the original; it's all about the nauseating sensation of waiting for something to jump out of the dark. --Bret Fetzer

Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Year:	1974
Release Date:	October 2, 2006
Runtime:	80 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	8246207
Keywords:	Texas, Massacre, General, Chainsaw, Horror, Occult, Sci, Fi
Genre:	Horror/Occult