The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974 film)

I think we just picked up Dracula. - Franklin

So, today we have a true American horror classic in Tobe Hooper's 1974 original masterpiece, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.  I only saw this film the second time today, right before I'm reviewing it for you.  The first time I saw it was on a movie rental after the original remake came out, I wanted to see what the original was like after seeing the new one (something that happened when we saw House on Haunted Hill, as well).  I was blown away by the film.  It's not all that graphic, really, but it's dark, it's gritty, and it's intense.

The story could be the blueprint for just about any slasher film.  After reports of grave robberies, a group of friends travel to the cemetery where the robberies happened, hoping that Sally and Franklin Hardesty's grandfather's grave hasn't been disturbed.  After making sure it was okay, they decide to head out to the remains of their grandfather's house, picking up a very creepy hitchhiker along the way.  After ditching the hitchhiker, they finally make it to the old homestead.  After their friends Kirk and Pam find out about a local swimming hole, they decide to go check it out.  Then, they don't return...

This film has earned its place as a masterpiece of the genre.  Several slasher film cliches have found their start here.  The masked, possibly mutated killer; the use of power tools as a murder weapon; the group of friends in an abandoned area being stalked by a killer.  The budget for the film was less than $300,000 and they used the money they had well.  The actors they used were also largely unknown, local talent who more or less used the film as a launching point into Hollywood.

So, on to the casting.  Marilyn Burns played Sally Hardesty.  Other than this film and a cameo appearance in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D film, she was also in Eaten Alive and Helter Skelter.  She definitely delivered in this film, especially in the scenes where her character seems to be losing her mind.  Playing her brother was Paul A. Partain, who also did well in the part.  He had a cameo in Texas Chainsaw: The Next Generation and also played in Race the Devil with Peter Fonda.  Edwin Neal played the Hitchhiker who they pick up.  I was surprised to see, when I looked him up in my research, that he went on to play Lord Zedd from the second season of Power Rangers on.  He's also become a top voice acting talent, voicing three characters on DC Universe Online, The Lord of the Rings video games, Metroid Prime 3, as well as a record-setting 26 voices in the Gatchaman anime.  Gunnar Hansen played Leatherface, the mask-wearing killer, here.  A native of Iceland, he cameoed in the Texas Chainsaw 3D film, as well as Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers, Mosquito and Freakshow.

A 5 out of 5 from me.  If you're in the mood for a piece of horror history, then you will definitely find something to enjoy in this film.  I hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane.  Tomorrow will be my first redo of a past article, where I'll be bringing you the sequel to this one, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2 (don't worry, I'm not doing a Chainsaw Week!).  Until then, take care of yourselves, and this is Red Hawk signing out!