The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Director: Tobe Hooper

Starring: Marilyn Burns, Edwin Neal, Allen Danziger

Five friends head out to rural Texas to visit the grave of a grandfather. On the way they stumble across what appears to be a deserted house, only to discover something sinister within. Something armed with a chainsaw.

Controversial at the time of release, ‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ still manages to shock audiences fifty decades later. Sure, the kill scenes are tame in comparison to today’s horrors and most of the horror is left to the imagination, but this must have been quite a shocker back in the day.

Supposedly based on act, this is off course mostly fictional. Five teenagers on a road trip pick up a hitchhiker, who turns out to be more than just a bit weird. After freaking them out, they force him out their van and drive off.

While having their fun, they stumble upon a house owned by a family of cannibals. One of the teenagers, Franklin, is in a wheelchair and this immediately elevates the suspense. We also root for him because of his disability, and the fact he can’t join in the fun.

The teenagers soon find themselves fighting for their lives when they are pursued by the cannibals who would like to have them over for dinner…

‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ truly is a demented film with some seriously crazy characters. The main antagonist is a hideous man who would go down in film history as one of the most iconic villains, Leatherface. Although there isn’t really all that much gore, this is a nerve-wrecking film that will have you on the edge of your seat.

‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ earned nearly $31 million on a budget of around $80,000. It was followed by another 8 films, which includes sequels, prequels, remakes and a reboot, and also inspired films like the ‘Wrong Turn’ franchise. It is also regarded as one of the Greatest Horror Films of All Time.

Would I watch it again? No.