Sally and Franklin are on their way with three of their friends to visit their Grandfathers grave after news that it had been desecrated in some sort of bizarre ritual. Along the way they pass a slaughterhouse and pick up a hitch-hiker who they quickly realize is severely mentally ill and dangerous. They manage to ditch him again, but soon realize that they are running out of gas. Stranded, they decide to visit the abandoned former home of Sally and Franklin's father, and explore the surrounding area.
But their explorations lead them to a journey into unthinkable, un-ending horror when they encounter a family of sadistic cannibals are living in a nearby farmhouse. Amongst them, the soon to be notorious Leatherface, a cross-dressing, chainsaw wielding, human skin wearing mass murderer.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre, which claims to be "a true story" is actually based extremely loosely on real-life cannibal and serial killer Ed Gein. Perhaps more accurately, it is inspired by Ed Gein, since very little of the actual story coincides in any way with the true story of the Butcher of Plainfield.
One things for sure though, Texas Chainsaw Massacre freaked people out and sent critics, censors, and the religious right into a frenzy upon its release. Since that time, and despite its many relatively poor sequels, it has come to be recognized as one of the intense and frightening films ever made. It was released before any of the other now famous slasher franchises such as Halloween, Friday the 13th, or Nightmare on Elm Street, and was still perhaps more brutal and shocking than all three put together.
But what sets TCM apart from modern day "torture porn" films such as Hostel and Saw, is the element of surprise and suspense, the intensity of its terror, the feeling what is taking place could only happen in a twisted nightmare. The first kill hits the viewer out of nowhere, with brutal speed and intensity, and the second follows quickly behind. Then the grinding suspense begins as we delve deeper and deeper into the madness, spiralling out of control towards the films abrupt, almost unfinished feeling ending.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre is an apocalyptic allegory of a society gone wrong, and a machine gun speed assault on the senses. A must see for horror fans.
4.5 skin masks out of 5
Rated R for gore, violence, frightening scenes.
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