Well, what can I say about a movie which has been re-released more times than it’s been referenced in other films? Tobe Hooper’s journey into a grisly and unforgettable nightmare is still as strong and powerful as it was when originally released almost 50 years ago.
Five friends who take a road trip and find themselves at the mercy of a depraved Texan clan, among them one of the all-time horror icons, the chainsaw wielding Leatherface. It’s not long before their idyllic drive becomes a macabre nightmare...
Iconic and very much of its time, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre rightfully retains its crown of being one of the most influential films of all time. This is not just a look into the worlds seediest and most dysfunctional family. If you look past its sensational title, you’ll find that it’s a story which examines complex issues such as belonging, loss and the uncaring impact of social change all covered in the skin of a bleak and brutal horror movie. Bloody for effect rather than exploitation (it’s not the river of red-stuff I was led to believe as a youngster), the film relies on the heat of the town, questionable rural traditions, and the fear of outsiders to push its dread infused narrative.
We also have to look past the impact of Leatherface (though perfect as he is) and his place in horror cinema and appreciate the rest of the characters on screen such as Edwin Neal who plays the hitch hiker who remains unbalanced and believable throughout and of course Marilyn Burns is mesmerising as Sally, a person pushed to the edge.
