The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

A genre defining film, truly. Tobe Hooper's original classic still remains as shocking and intense today as it did back when it was released in the early 70s. The grainy look of the picture, bleak set design, wonderful pace, buildup and the unforgettable climax all amount to one of the greatest horror films ever made. Forget the remakes, this is the real Texas Chainsaw Massacre film.

Director Tobe Hooper's landmark 1973 horror movie is nowhere as near as bloody as title suggests, however the film's psychological terror is brutal, relentless and not for the squeamish. The original "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (don't bother with the weak 2004 remake) is easily one of the most important movies in the horror genre, and established new boundaries for visceral horror films. Loosely based upon the tale of true life Wisconsin necrophile Ed Gein, the story concerns a group of college friends heading out to a desecrated graveyard in rural Texas to ensure the remains on one of their relatives have not been disturbed. In transit, they mistakenly pick up a twisted & masochistic hitch hiker and after slashing one of the young group, the hitch-hiker runs from their van and the incident proves to be an omen of worse things to come. The group stop at an old house, and go searching for assistance only to begin falling victim to the hammer-wielding "Leatherface" (Gunnar Hansen) - one of horror filmdom's most recognised characters ! Further violence and death ensues with "Leatherface" swinging his trademark chainsaw into several cast members, and the most terrifying sequences of the movie are arguably those in the film's final thirty minutes involving Sally (Marilyn Burns) and her capture and torture by the deranged family of cannibal killers. Younger audiences raised on a diet of splattery horror films spraying buckets of blood over the past two decades are likely to watch TCM because of its fearsome reputation and say.... "Whats all the fuss about ?", however if you look deeper and more closely at the content, TCM is a gruelling and gut wrenching film that paints a bleak and sadistic picture of pure evil alive and well in middle America. Hooper's brilliant use of shock zooms and other unnerving camera work during the torture scenes create a jarring environment, and actress Marilyn Burns is one of the most believable screamers you have ever seen on screen ! Fans of TCM are encouraged to also see the original version of "The Hills Have Eyes", "Last House On The Left" and the original "Psycho"

Absolute rubbish. Why it's hailed as a classic, I don't know. It may be 22 years old but that's no excuse for terrible acting, underdeveloped plot and complete lack of suspense. Avoid like the plaque.

Very poor movie by todays(1974) standard. Give it a miss, maybe the new one's better.

Not the best Horror, maybe okay in its time but very dated now. Hardly worth the watch to see what all the fuss was about.

A true shocking and blood thirsty movie. Be sure not to miss this one if you liked the remake! Its got some scenes that have to be seen to be believed. Its based very loosely on the story of Ed Gein who also liked to make things out of human skin, that he mostly took while out grave robbing (as you do). Although, only some things they took from the story, its not like a documentary or something. The hitcher at the begin is also one of the scariest moments in horror history. It was filmed in Texas and the actors got little money, This movie has made many millions and I feel sorry for them!

Definitely worth a watch if you are in the mood to be terrified. Macarbe and shocking in that it was based on actual events. Stay clear of the 2005 re-make.

It is scary and a bit funny like when this girl who was sitting in leatherface's (chainsaw man's)room of bones screamed and chicken skeletons and other skeletons kept falshing on the screen. It's freaky but at the end it's weird how he is trying to control the chainsaw...he looks like he's dancing .It's supposed to be based on a true story and when they found the guy he supposedly had.........no brain!!

Very frightening and gory film - to think this was based on a true story is really scary!