Rating: 3.5/5
Synopsis:
Much like other classic slashers of the era, “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” came from small beginnings to forge a legacy of terror. The story begins with a chilling introduction about the events that happened in Texas during the time period. We see five friends traveling across Texas to visit a deceased grandparent’s grave. They come across an old home in the country, seeing it as an opportunity to fill up. But as they investigate the home, they discover the inhabitants are not ones to be welcoming. What began as an honest road trip turns into a night of horrifying consequences, where the friends might become permanent residents of the home. Or worse…meals.
Positives:
Slasher classics like the “Halloween, Nightmare, Friday, and Texas Chainsaw” franchises kicked off with humble beginnings. They were made on shoestring budgets, putting together an impressive production with dedication and craft. This film is one of the old school examples of crafting a truly terrifying experience by knowing what unsettles an audience. The story wastes no time getting started, beginning with a bang and keeping its runtime under ninety minutes. There are no big names in the cast and no big budget technicalities. Director Tobe Hooper begins the film with a few shots of decaying corpses, teasing the grisly crimes we are about to witness. He eases us into the madness by setting up an encounter with a creepy hitchhiker. As the friend group begins to suspect wrongdoings, the dread starts building. Hooper utilizes some crafty camera work to construct his horror sequences, allowing a scene to build tension as each character investigates this mysterious house. But once Leatherface is revealed, the film takes a sinister turn that never lets up. It is brutal without being exploitative.
The sequence that really kicks the story into high gear is when Leatherface reveals himself to Sally, crafting a jump scare that always makes me jump in my seat. I love the tense nature of the scene, highlighting the roar of Leatherface’s chainsaw as he chases Sally through a field of bushes towards the house. The score in the scene also adds to the dread. The film features another signature twist with a town member, leading to the finale that will be too grotesque for most. While I don’t particularly enjoy the dinner scene at the end of the film, I commend it for being effectively irritating. The scene is intended to make viewers uncomfortable with the frequent bickering of the family and the loud screaming from Sally. The cinematography during the final chase with Leatherface is also great. As he swings his chainsaw in frustration, the crisp rising sun in the background is a nice creative detail to conclude the film. I appreciate the creative editing choices and commitment to telling such a horrific story by Tobe Hooper and his crew. Auteur horror filmmaking will never die!
Negatives:
While I commend the creative ambition, “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” has never been my favorite of the classics. The subject matter is a bit too grimy for my personal preferences. But I still acknowledge the strong creative decisions to make the film effective. My main issues with the film come in the final act, where the family’s obnoxious behavior is so appalling that it makes a rewatch difficult. There is too much yelling, hillbilly shenanigans, and screaming from the victims to truly enjoy the experience. Again, I understand the intent of the scene is to make viewers as uncomfortable as possible. But gosh, I felt as if my skin was being scraped against sandpaper as the events were transpiring. Some viewers will love that the movie is able to elicit these feelings, it’s just not the kind of material I seek out as a horror fan.
Conclusion:
“The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” is undeniably a horror classic. It features some bone chilling sequences of terror that will never cease to be effective. I love the small scale story, highlighting the possibilities of indie horror filmmaking. This proves that small budget films can be effective given the craft and care that is needed. Leatherface and his family secure their spots as horror icons as their crazy family rituals are revealed. Although the story’s griminess turns me away from being a diehard fan, most horror fans may hold the film in higher regards than me. Even after fifty years, this one will always be nightmare fuel.
