Rating: 
Summary: Good, but sometimes disturbing
Review: THIS is a HORROR movie. In the same vein as "Last house on the left". Well directed and not for sissy horror fans that think "Scream" is the first slasher film. Yeah thats a "good" movie. But, if ya think "that" movie contains the same if not "equal" shock value, you need to crawl out of your hole and rent or buy this movie and see what has been stolen{ from such a fine director}.
The acting is so amateur that it works in both the comedic range and the serious.
The makeup is incredibly real, so that if it had been done in black and white, the film would have been just as effective. And the camerawork, nothing less than brilliant. It's up there with "Psycho" the original [Hitchcock] as well as the remake [Gus Van Sandt] This is real Hideyoureyes terror.
Made to be "Watched Alone" in the dark.
In the daylight as well.
Beware the Meathook
Rating:
Summary: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Review: Director: Tobe Hooper
Cast: Marilyn Burns, Gunnar Hansen, Edwin Neal.
Running Time: 83 minutes.
Rated R for extreme violence and mild language.Director Tobe Hooper's defining moment as a film creator took place about twenty-five minutes into "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre". In this scene, a happy-go-lucky teenager, who forsees himself getting laid later that night, stumbles inside an old farmhouse in search for directions to a lake. As he walks into the house, he trips and falls at the feet of Leatherface, the cannibalistic maniac that captures people for his family to eat. Leatherface proceeds to bash his head and face with a hammer and drags him into the kitchen, shuts the door quickly, and the audience if left to hear a resounding "grrrr" from the scratchy soundtrack. The scene sets the tone for the entire film, if not Hooper's entire career. "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" revolves around a group of young adults who are investigating the grave diggings of some of their relatives. While they are staying at their grandparents' cottage out in the middle of no where, they are tormented by a chainsaw wielding freak who wears past victim's skin as a mask. The overall premise is disturbing, twisted, and halfway stupid, but Hooper creates great tension and incorporates a diabolically shrieking score to send chills down viewers' backs. While the film is as influential as any to the horror genre, along with "The Exorcist" and "Halloween", this classic is unique compared to many films because of the theatrical presence that it had--which is obviously lost on video or DVD. Truly terrifying during its day, slightly more comical in the present. One of the best horror films of the middle 1970s.
Rating: 
Summary: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Review: I am going to skip my usual review format, and not review the DVD. I am instead just going to look at the film itself. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was released in October of 1974, and was an immediate success. All across the nation, people were running out of the theater in shock of what they were seeing. The film cost $100,000 to make, and wound up grossing about $30 million. In other words, 300 times its budget. Not bad for an indie horror flick. Over the years, TCM has garnered a reputation as being extremely gory, perverted, and being a symbol of everything that is wrong in America. The film has been banned in many countries due to its content, and is equally reviled as it is praised. It was with some hesitation that I sat down to watch Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I had avoided it due entirely to its reputation. But what happened as I was watching it was interesting. For the first time since seeing The Exorcist 4 years earlier, I was completely terrified by a movie. On the edge of my seat, squirming, heart racingly TERRIFIED. To start off, there is hardly any blood at all in the movie. Yes, people get butchered by Leatherface, and there is the girl on the meathook, but its all done with sound effects and imaginative camera angles. There's literally only about 2 ounces of blood seen in the entire movie. Secondly, you don't even really see what's happening when the people are slaughtered. Your imagination is forced to take over, which is even scarier than all the blood and guts in the world. Is the movie any good? Yes! The reason I praise The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is its unparallelled ability to horrify the viewer. This film comes as close to a living nightmare as any film could possibly come. This film is absolutely ruthless in its attempt to drive you right out of your mind. The infamous dinner scene is one such example. For 10 solid minutes there's nothing but yelling and screaming and all-out craziness going on. The fantastic camera angles and Marilyn Burns' terrifying screaming is enough to drive anyone mad. You are pulled into whats happening on screen, and you are not even given a second to breathe. Marilyn Burns is extraordinary as the film's heroine. As you watch the movie, you cannot even tell she is acting. Also, she is one hell of a screamer! During the dinner scene, you can tell that she is truly terrified, and cannot believe what is happening around her. You feel for her, and cannot belive what is happening to her, which makes the film even more horrifying. Gunnar Hansen is also fantastic as Leatherface. He adds a human quality to this cannibalistic monster that makes the movie even more unsettling. Tobe Hooper's direction is first rate. He decided to shoot the movie like a documentary which makes the film even more horrifying. You think what is happening on screen is actually happening to the people right at that very moment. The graininess of the picture adds even more to the feel of the film. Simply put, this is one of the most horrifying films I have ever seen. Everything is first rate, and I highly suggest that anyone who has an appreciation for true horror see it. It ranks right up there with The Exorcist as one of the scariest films of all time.
Rating:
Summary: I LOVE THIS FILM
Review: I cannot express how much I love this film. Well, I'll try. I first saw this with a few buddies, on a big screen TV, in the basement around the age of 13. Although the movie never really scared me, I would describe this film as one of the creepiest films ever. I believe it's banned in Germany and England. For a low Budget movie, this is an A+. The only one equal would be the first evil dead. It was Tobe Hooper's 3rd or 4th film and sadly he hasn't made one that has topped this one since. People also have to consider that this came out in 1974 and was the first of its kind. (I'm sorry but as much as I love it, Psycho is NOT as slasher Film) People walked out of the trailers of TCM in shock. I like the Idea that's it's based on a true story, but it really isn't. Leatherface is somewhat based on the serial killer Ed Gein. Buffalo Bill from Silence of the lambs and Norman Bates are also based on him. And to put it bluntly, ED GEIN NEVER OWNED A CHAINSAW!!!!!! But back to the movie.
The Plot: I think the best way to describe the film is to tell what is said in the shot description in my TV guide (this movie is rarely ever shown on premium channels). Young Teens encounter a Houseful of demented Butchers who chase them with chainsaws and other deadly tools. It is Rated 3 out of 4 stars With a Highly recommended sign. Now to the average person, this may sound like a piece of crap that would appear on svengoolie. But its much more then that. It's best to just see the film; it would take forever for me to explain. This film is also one of the most creative movies I have ever seen; you will know when you see the furniture. I'm not surprised that people became vegetarians after watching this. (like the Director of Blade 2) Yes there is cannibalism. And as for the acting, the "family" is great truly psychotic. The only thing that bugged me was that the hitchhiker was never given a name, in the credits he is just labeled hitchhiker. The 5 teenagers are the problem, some people complain that there isn't enough character development, I agree and disagree with this. These are supposed to be your average 70's teens who just want to have a fun time, no, not Friday the 13th nudity=death crap. There is no nudity. But back to the actors. The actress who played Sally is fantastic at being afraid. Her eyes are all I can say. Franklin (wheelchair guy) was supposed to be annoying to everyone else, and this succeeds in a few levels. The other 3 are where the characters need development. During the car trip we can tell that Pam likes the supernatural-sun-horoscopes things, which is cool. Some People belive that Activity with the Sun affects the behavior of living creatures or something like that. Her boyfriend seems like he would be a jock if he were at school. It's Jerry (sally's boyfriend) who has almost no character development. In the car scene with the hitchhiker, he is simply the driver and never says a thing. Now one of the things that makes TCM, TCM are the sound effects. They are Creepy as hell. The score is absolutely brilliant, Wheather it's pots clanging together, camera flashes or just weird noises in general, Its great. DVD features: Ok first off, this has a blooper reel, some of them are really funny, but it is not long enough. Where is the one where the guy playing Jerry ran out of the room? For those of you who don't know, that guy wanted to be scared when Leatherface came in and killed him, he never saw the mask or costume before. So what ended up happening is when Leatherace walks in the room he screams and runs out the room scared sh*tless.
The commentary features Tobe Hooper(Director)And Gunner Hanson (Leatherface)and Daniel Pearl (Director of Photgraphy). If you're a fan of this film it's really entertaining and a little funny. The deleted scenes were for good reason, the film quality sucks. They probably decided not to use them before redoing it with better quality stuff, its expensive you know. And as for all the other features; they are great, simply put. In Conclusion if you are tired of the overrated Jason, Michael, or Freddy. Pick this one out at your local video store or better yet, buy it, it will make its mark into your brain. The thing about this film back in 1974 is that something like this could really happen. Leatherface is not invincible like Jason, Mike and Freddy; He is just a strong inbreed-retarded-cannibalistic-butcher. A Guy at my school (yes I'm 16) Rented it and got up to the 2nd kill before turning it off, finding himself disgusted. Now if you thought that was bad I also tried to show it to a friend of mine at midnight. He never made it to the first kill; he got nauseous from the hitchhiker doing what he likes. BUY THIS MOVIE TODAY!!!!!! P.S. There is also not much blood, I think they only used something like one Can. it's all in your Head People.
Rating:
Summary: Who said wants to remember the kids that this happened too..
Review: Your a retard, this never happened, sorry to break it to you die hard fans, this was based on Edwards Geins killings, who used a pistol and only killed two people in the 1950s; took place in WI; and possibly went grave digging. So this has nothing to do with the world being bad, thats called human nature and its all about money, not movies, so get a life.......loser.........
Rating: 
Summary: Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Review: I hate that movie you people are totaly sick of thinking you should make and old moive and a new graphic movie. About those kids who died, you shouldnt even think like that to make a repeat of what happened to them, just think if it was about you would you want other people to watch it? How about your kids? why the HELL!!!! would you want them to see a movie like that. people are sick now a days just think when your were littel they didn't have half the bad movies they do now i think they should get rid of that movie and start making funny, happy, movies and get rid of the violence. Why do you think that their is so much violence now,oh well i dont know because you make those GOD DAMN! movies. STOP making them and it will be a much better world and kids will not be influenced about it you sick fools.
Rating:
Summary: Even the remake doesn't buzz as loud as the origional!
Review: This 1974, Tobe Hooper directed classic film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remains as one of the greatest movies ever made! This film was directed on location in Texas in a hot summer in August. A group of kids learn about grave robbings, so they go to make sure one of their grandfather's grave wasn't messed with. On their journey, they run into a crazy man, wearing a crazy mask, carrying big hammers and chainsaws and get murdered one by one, until there is only one. Sally Hardesty is invited to a dinner, which is one of the greatest scenes ever shot! Little did she know excactly what (or who) she was eating! Gunner Hansen plays Leatherface in this origional, terrifying, shocking, and disturbing classic! If you like horror films, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is the movie for you. Although this film was inspired by the Ed Gein events, it really takes on a life of it's own, thanks to great performences by the flawless cast and the brilliant film making by Tobe Hooper!
Rating:
Summary: The origional Massacre
Review: The first time i watched The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was when i was about 13. I watched it on "video-disc". It was the best movie i had ever seen although it was so old. It really makes your imagination go wild. They did a great job on the remake minus the small changes. go out and rent or buy the origional(1973) and the new(2003). They are the greatest slasher flicks you'll ever see.
Rating:
Summary: A stunning feat of film making....
Review: If you were to ask me what the greatest horror movie was, 3 years ago, i would have undoubtabley told you it was John Carpenter's "Halloween". I had seen almost every horror film worth watching, all of the greats. (Night of the living dead, Friday the 13th, A nightmare on elm street, etc.) But none had had the power to strike me so mercilessly as that one did, until october, 2001. On the 31st i settled down with a group of friends to watch Tobe Hooper's contoversial "Texas Chainsaw Massacre". To be honest, knowing its reputation for being a pointless display of blood and carnage, I was not expecting much, just another run of the mill, cheesey slasher flick. Within the first ten minutes of the film i had a completely different point of view. This film is unstoppabley terrifying. And i can hear you saying, "its a horror movie stupid its supposed to be!" but bare with me. When you actually look at most horror films, even the well-made ones, it is not often that you come away feeling the utmost sense of fear. The kind of fear that makes you think twice about turning off your bedroom lights, or even opening the door to your dark kitchen to get a glass of water in the middle of the night. That is the power of this film. Its plots and characters will remain in your head for weeks and weeks. I have watched it many times since then in an attempt to figure it out. The amazing and frightening thing about this film is its appatrent simplisity. Most horror films to date try to develop complex story lines that often get them tangled and easily overcome by the viewer. This film is 100% shock and horror from start to finish with no escapes
at daytime or in the presence of the "hero". Another thing i noticed is that despite its bloody reputation, the amount of blood in this film is signifinately minute, especially when compared to other horror films: yet again, a display of its brilliance. This film doesn't need vast amounts of blood to drive fear into the hearts of the viewers. Its psychological storyline and other visual images are much more powerful than any amounts of blood and gore. Since i saw this film "Halloween" has been bumped of the number 1 spot in my list, and is now settled comfortabley at number 2, followed by "The Silence of the lambs". Even two unforgetable films like these are not a patch on "chainsaw massacre". To round of this review i will say quite simply, that "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" is the greates horror movie ever made, a stunning feat of filmaking, and not be missed by any fan of this genre.
Rating:
Summary: "I just can't take no pleasure in killing..."
Review: Terror and carnage is the outcome for a group of unsuspecting teens in the classic horror movie that shocked audiences all over the country, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." A film that still has the raw power to shock and terrify viewers even today. While it may not be overly gory, the end results leads to a horrifying and disturbing motion picture that is unforgettable. It all starts out as a simple country road trip that sounds like the perfect way to spend some time for a group of five friends. It seems to be a regular afternoon until they drive into a deserted part of Texas. A strange hitchhiker unleashes an unimaginable chain-of-events that lead to murder, cannibalism and psychotic killers. I don't care how old this movie is, I still always find myself numb with shock and disbelief every time I watch this brutal classic. It shows you that you don't need a lot of blood and gore to be disturbing or uneasy. The way the film is shot leads you to believe that this stuff actually happened. It's as if you're actually watching real killings caught on camera. That's how powerful this movie is. There are definitely more than a few uneasy moments that make me squirm and cringe, and that is becoming quite the challenge these days, I must be honest. Sure, it might be a tad dated. However, this does not take away any of the film's power. Inspired by a true story (loosely based on the infamous killer, Ed Gein), this movie has a great script and a nice cast behind it. It never feels overly goofy, nor does it ever feel that it is dragging on too long. Tobe Hooper did an excellent job with such a low budget. To be honest, I think the low budget helped. This would not be the same movie had there been a bigger budget to jazz it all up. The low budget forced Hooper to find a successful way to shoot the movie, and he did. The balance of everything is just right. I didn't buy the new edition that came out a few months ago, as it appeared that it was no different from the version I'm reviewing right now. The DVD has a fair amount of interesting extras. The picture and sound quality is as good as it can get. I'm sure it beats any old VHS copy out there. Extras included are deleted/alternate scenes, the original mono soundtrack for true die-hard fans, commentary, still photos, blooper reel, original trailers and TV spots, and more. A nice package that does a horror classic the justice that it deserves. "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" will always be remembered as an ultimate classic that redefined the horror genera as we know it. It is not for people with weak hearts or people who get easily sickened by senseless acts of brutal violence. Even after all of these years, this film has the undeniable power to shock and terrify audiences all around. If you have not seen it yet, go check it out as soon as you can. A landmark horror movie that always delivers, time and time again. -Michael Crane
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