Product: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Original Uncut) [Region 2] (1974)
Rating: 5.0
Tobe Hooper's Frightening Horror Masterpiece...
When THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE came out in 1974, nobody had any idea how much of a 'cult status' the movie would retain in today's movie industry. Tobe Hooper has been a solid director throughout his career, and THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE was his ultimate exercise in terror.One of the things that makes TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE so good is the way it's filmed. It has a snuff film, kind of documentary style to it...it's just downright disturbing all the way through. And the way Hooper starts off the film is just a perfect precursor of things to come. A group of teenagers are driving on a long road in Texas when they pull to the side of the road to pick up a hitchhiker (played insanely in such pitch perfect creepiness by Edwin Neal). He turns out to be insane as they find out after asking "do you like head cheese?" They have no idea what's in store for them and from there, the mayhem ensues and the terror only heightens until the finale, which, although quite strange, was nonetheless an essential to the film. No doubt the scenes at night are terrifying, especially catching Leatherface with the flashlight. But the scenes in the daytime are equally as frightening. But the true master of the film are the scenes of implied violence in the chamber of hell in the crazy house. You don't see very much blood or very much gore, but your mind creates much of the gruesome scenery that surely is a part of TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE. It's still terrifying to know after that big metal door closes, they are in Leatherface's world. The craziest scene has to be when the kidnapped blonde is taken to the dinner table where "grandpa" is waiting to club his next victim. This scene is actually funny and very disturbing at the same time. Everything in this movie is very disturbing and terrifying. The first time you see Leatherface, it will put you on edge. No wonder this is heralded as a classic.No doubt Tobe Hooper was on to something when directed this little masterpiece of his, and to this day, it's still very much effective, more than some of the horror around today. TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE remains a classic to this day. Don't watch this movie...alone.