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The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Welcome to this special feature on one of  the most disturbing horror movies ever made. 

Resources: Total Film, DVD Review, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre handbook (Free with DVD).

WARNING

This special feature contains disturbing references to horrifying crimes which are described using some detail.  Those who are easily offended are advised not to continue reading. 

Welcome to the true definition of horror!

1974. 

The year when one of the most notorious horror movies ever was released on an unsuspecting audience of terrified viewers.  At this time horror movies were relatively tame, with only classics such as "Night of the Living Dead" standing out from the crowd, and the "Exorcist", which was released a few years later.  Never before had audiences witnessed the sheer terror and tension of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and the ones who were brave enough to sit through the "Sickest carnival of slaughter ever seen" were terrified to the very heart of their souls. This movie is a pitch-black horror, containing some of the most disturbing scenes witnessed in any movie to this date, some even rivalling those of "The Exorcist". 

A new dimension of horror...

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is not all about blood and guts- that isn't where the true shocks lie.  In fact, there really is very little on-screen slicing-and-dicing, as the mind is left to fit the pieces together for itself, finally building a very disturbing and incredibly horrifying picture in their heads. 

And then, of course, there's screaming.  Never before have I heard such terrifying screams of pain and terror from a movie, especially as the last girl is chased during the end scenes.

Amazingly, director Tobe Hooper was actually hoping that the Texas Chainsaw Massacre would be passed as a "PG" classification.  Little did he know that the BBFC would reject it, but finally only Surrey, Sussex and Glasgow were deprived of this terrifically horrifying experience.

Above:
It is perhaps somewhat disturbing that anybody anywhere can get hold of a lethal chain saw.  The fact that the events in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre could potentially happen in real life if a chainsaw or other similar tool got into the wrong hands is what makes the film so chilling.

The true Texas Chainsaw Massacre  

Ed Gein.

Chances are this name won't mean an awful lot to you.  It didn't to me either, that was until I came to watch the fantastic documentary included with the special edition DVD of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. It turns out that a simple farmer by the name of Ed Gein was the man responsible for horrifying crimes, some representing the terrors that lie in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. 

The documentary goes on to tell the tale of how Ed Gein's obsession with females and death led him to some unspeakable crimes.  He used to dress up in the skins of people he had exhumed, including that of his deceased mother.  The fascinating, but incredibly disturbing DVD-extra then shows the photograph of one of the most terrifying crimes ever committed- Gein had decapitated an innocent woman, gutted her and hung her from her ankles inside a farmhouse.  This was viewing at its most extreme.

Gein was arrested for this, and other murders, and was committed to a mental hospital in December 1957, where he died in 1984, aged 78.

He was buried in Plainfield cemetery next to his Mother.

Facts

• The Texas Chainsaw massacre was originally given two names; Headcheese and Leatherface
• The Texas Chainsaw massacre had a miniature budget, and as a result, most of the cast were locals with little acting experience.
• The Film was shot over 32 days.
• The cast and crew worked as many as 12-16 hours a day in sweltering heat.
• The dead Armadillo in the opening shots was originally planned to be a dead dog.
• Tobe Hooper was born on 25th January 1943 in Austin, Texas.
• Tobe Hooper's first full movie was called Eggshells.
• Hooper also directed the famous horror-classic, Poltergeist, which was a huge box-office success.

Quotes

"The Texas Chainsaw massacre is a ruthlessly efficient shocker; a timeless milestone of terror whose sheer raw power remains undiminished to this day"- Mark Kermode

"If ever a film should be banned, this is it"- Daily Mail

"This is about the sickest carnival of slaughter ever seen...why did the Greater London Council let this nightmare through?"- The News of the World

"One of the most powerful and disturbing movies I've ever seen- and well worth seeing again"- Jonathon Ross

"25 years on, the greatest shock of this legendary movie is not how violent, but how good it is"- Daily Telegraph

"Totally committed to scaring you witless!"- Empire

The Texas chainsaw massacre is available now on Special edition DVD, complete with FREE poster offer