The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

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  TheMovieDiorama

  7 / 10

  The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is one of the most influential horror films of all time. It's horrifying imagery is notorious for having the film banned in many countries upon release back in 1974. Years later, audiences adapted to the horror genre and can fully appreciate how this film changed the game for future horror films. The plot is simple. Group of youths are on a road trip, run out of gas and stop by a local gas station. They explore and encounter the horror icon that is...Leatherface. A chain saw wielding psychopath. One by one, the innocent souls are slaughtered by gruesome methods. Hammered to the head, spiked on the back and of course, chain sawed to death. Disturbing, visceral and terrifying...surprisingly this has not aged well. I do not doubt its influence and I admire the courage and bravery to make such a daring film back in those days. Yet for some reason, it just seems ridiculously outdated. It's not the late Tobe Hooper's fault, in fact his directing talent is what made this rather captivating. The constant quick zooms (whilst in tracking shots as well), extreme close ups of bones and eyeballs, the infamous scene of Leatherface swinging his chain saw like a wrecking ball (would pay to see Leatherface imitate Miley Cyrus). It's a fresh unique style and it works so well. Then the implementation of intrusive sound effects that just invade your eardrums. Absolutely effective and heightens the lunacy of the whole situation. The use of gore was subtle, there isn't tonnes of blood...rather a minimal amount I would say but it still looked savage and brutal. I appreciate the quick deaths, it didn't feel Hollywood. Whack, hammer to head. Done. Bye bye. Next victim please. Its cold smooth efficiency is what made Leatherface and the film terrifying. The major problem is the amateurish acting. Now don't tell me "oh it was 1974, acting was always bad in horror"...Rosemary's Baby was 1968. The awful acting and screaming made the characters unlikable and completely expendable which detracts from an overall decent slasher flick.

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