The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a gritty horror film that will leave viewers squirming in their seats. It is a gruesome and dirty film that relies more on implications than actual gore to provide shocks and fear. The story tells of five young adults who find a house out in the country. One by one they approach the house and are terrorized by a chainsaw wielding villain, Leatherface, wearing an oddly disturbing mask. Many of the deaths in the movie are not very surprising or scary. They are gruesome deaths but the viewer is able to see Leatherface coming and is not surprised. However, the movie does provide a few jumps and surprises.

The lack of surprise, however, doesn't make the movie any less frightening. While the plot is almost laughable in today's culture, it is easy to see how this movie must have terrified viewers when it was first released. Firstly, the villain was horrifying. Not only did Leatherface look scary, but the fact that his weapon of choice is a chainsaw expresses his love of brutality. Secondly, the plot was extremely disturbing for when it was made. Not only do the villains kill for the love of killing but they eat their victims. This is not bluntly stated, but is implied through many scenes. Lastly, the acting was very impressing for the time period. The actors interacted well with each other and the fear they portrayed was very realistic.

The director intended for the movie to have a PG rating. Because of this intention, he left out a great deal of objectionable content. There is no sex or drugs/alcohol in the movie and a minimal amount of cursing. However, the MPAA felt that the implied violence and gore would make such an impact with viewers that the film deserved an R rating. The MPAA was correct. The movie will leave viewers feeling disgusted and disturbed by the brutality presented in the film.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre has inspired many modern horror movie directors like Rob Zombie and Alexandre Aja to make brilliant horror movies. It could also be considered the movie that inspired the slasher genre and the large, mask wearing villain that has been used in movies like Friday the 13th and Halloween. Without The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, many of the most highly-praised horror movies may have never been made. Without The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, the horror genre would not be the amazing genre it is today.

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