"The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" by: Andrew Marvin

“The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (1974)

Director: Tobe Hooper, Born January 25, 1943 in Austin, Texas.

Budget: $ 300,000

Gross: $30 Million

Synopsis: The film follows a group of teens/young adults as they travel across Texas. Along the way they fall prey to a family of cannibals.

Narrative/Visual:  BBQ, Farmhouse, Chain saw, furniture made from human bone, slaughterhouse

Characterization/Dialogue:  The story is told ultimately through the eyes of Sally and arguably her wheel-chair bound brother, Franklin. Although, the film starts out with several other partial character narratives, it’s Sally who we follow all the way through the film. The dialogue is pretty standard, maybe a little dated at this point.

Camera/Lighting: The film is really low budget filmmaking. The cinematography by Daniel Pearl is what really stands out. Using only 40 feet of dolly track, Pearl makes his shots truly count. The camera work helps to overlook the low quality lighting.

Social/Political Commentary: See Below   (Don’t pick up Hitchhikers’!!!)

Historical Relevance: This film really came out of left field. Originally called “Head Cheese,” Tobe Hooper and co-writer Kim Henkel never thought it would be received by the public the way it did and has.  The film was banned and many theaters stopped showing the film due to its violent content. Although the film struggled in release, it did turn an enormous profit considering what its budget was. The film is considered one of the most influential horror films of all time, having originated many of the now classic themes of the Slasher genre.

Notable Collaboration: Kim Henkel, fellow film school buddy from University of Texas at Austin. Kim Henkel would get a chance to direct one of the films’ sequels, the much despised “Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation.”

Random Fact: Cinematographer Daniel C. Pearl would also serve as cinematographer on the remake of “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” with director Marcus Nispel.

Why is the film considered controversial? Where was it banned?

The film is considered controversial primarily due to its violent and gory content. Not only that, but the film was unable to secure a distributer because of said content. The film was banned in the U.K., Britain, and Australia.

What societal "comfort zones" does it push the limit of?

I’d say that it defines another type of “family unit.” I really don’t think that there is just one reason why this film pushes the “comfort zones,” I really believe that it is the film as a whole. The movie is so in your face, pretty much the entire movie. The film shows images that had never been seen in horror films up to that point. I always refer to the Meat Hook scene, it’s true horror. I just don’t think audiences were ready or prepared for that type of film and style.

Would it still be considered controversial if it were released today? I don’t think anyone would bat an eye at this film, if it were released today. Look at what kinds of horror we have being released now, “Hostel,” “Saw.” Those films blow the original “Chainsaw” out of the water in terms of violence/gore and controversial nature. I wish more films like “Chainsaw” were made now, I referred to the Meat Hook scene earlier, whereas you never see any blood in the original, just look at the same scene in the remake. It’s much more horrific and reveals more. So I don’t think this film would turn any heads now a days.

Do you feel the director's choice to show the material is ethically sound? Yes!! What is the whole point of Horror? It’s to break the rules to push the social buttons to be taboo. If you look at all the horror films of old what makes them great is the filmmakers willingness to truly show the audience something fresh, new and scary. Take films like “The Exorcist,” “Psycho,” and “Last House on the Left,” they all had controversy surrounding there respective releases, either for violence, gore etc. These are the films that go on the be classics in many instances.

Would you recommend this film to a friend? Yes!! This film is one of the greatest and best that the Horror genre has to offer, so as long as they had a strong stomach and liked the genre, I would no doubt recommend the film.