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Texas ChainSaw Massacre (1974)
Studio executives summary / pitch
Key video nasty of the 1970's, widely banned at time of release. Black comedy (?), surprisingly few giblets - but don't trip over those bones! Screaming and leather masks throughout. Tobe Hooper has agreed to direct.
Short plot summary

Group of 'pesky kids' (Sally Hardesty (Marilyn Burns), Jerry (Allen Danziger), Franklin Hardesty (Paul A. Partain), Kirk , (William Vail), Pam (Teri McMinn)) who are out in their "Scoob mobile", seem doomed to decapitation due to circumstances beyond their control. Seems shmeeems babes!

What our panel of critics thought

"Has all of the enjoyment of a snuff movie crossed with Scooby Doo, but without the dog! And hey kids: Willma is a guy! A slasher from hell triumph!"

"A horribly vicious movie of senseless killing in old out of the way houses. Nice weather though."

"It reminded me of that old Smith's track - 'Girlfriend in a freezer, I know, I know, it's serious'. Morrisey is such a joy after movies like these."

"A triumph of being nasty to a guy in a wheel chair! How juicily ironic! PC this bitch!"

"If you are one of those girls who just has to start screaming when she hears another girl scream, it's probably best not to go to watch this in a cinema."

"You will never be able to look a butcher-with-an-apron-on in the eye again!"

Please tell me the ending or whole plot if necessary

Sally runs away into the darkness (presumably the batteries have run out of her finger sized flash light). She finds sanctuary but doesn't realize that she has run into the home of the best friend of leather face. Oops. Doh! Oops again!!

Then she realizes. She grabs a knife, but doesn't recognize that the guy is an expert at disarming people with a broom. Commotion ensues and Sally is overpowered and put into a sack.

She is driven to our anti-hero's place where she is tortured, but eventually manages to escape by the classic 'jump through a window' move, popular in movies at the time. (Luckily it wasn't strengthened glass or she would have bounced back embarrassingly.) She runs like the wind and eventually escapes in the back of a car.

Quotable quotes (real)
"I hope you're not too uncomfortable down there."
"Aaaaaarrrgggghhhhh - eeee ssshhhhhhcccrrrreeaaammmm!"
"I told you to stay away from that grave yard."
What snack should I eat while watching this movie?

Blood red marshmallows toasted on a small open fire.

If I were to watch this at home how best should I sit?

In the position of hiding behind the sofa.

If a character(s) from this film were to be asked onto daytime TV to sell something, what would they sell?

Knife sharpeners.

Is there enough chopping up with Chainsaws in this film?

The splicing-up-with-chain-saws is balanced with a creative use of the hand held chopper (no sexual metaphor intended). Meat hook lovers, too, are well catered for.

How funny is this film?

Some moments of true irony, especially with our wheelchair bound victim-hero being sent a tumblin' down a hill. But he bounces back after a little help from his friends, only to be cut in the arm by a badly selected hitch hiker. Poor bastard.

The genre has been well satirized before and, yes, the movie is populated by people who go looking for their missing friends in the dark, armed only with the wind and a small flash light.

Does this film stand up to rigorous reality testing?

A truly disturbing horror fest which, thankfully, leaves the blood and giblets to the imagination, but little else. Horribly vicious. A truly hateful movie.

If you enjoy this movie you are sick. Kill yourself.

Would your pets enjoy this movie? Would your dog like it? Other pets?

Rotweillers (or any dog weighing over 168lbs) will enjoy this movie, however it is probably best to remove their teeth before watching it otherwise serious furniture damage could ensue.

Cats will see nothing wrong with this movie: Given half the chance they would do this to birds and mice.

Sensitive field mice may need counseling afterwards.

What can I take from this movie to make me a better person?
Always ensure you have the safety guard on Chainsaws firmly fixed at all times for your safety and for that of others.
How much would you pay for a copy of this movie in goods?

A pound of sausages.

Would this movie win awards for performances of the f-word?

There is little swearing, perhaps it's all drowned out by either screaming or Chainsaws. A disappointment.

Does the film attempt Redneckobabble? If so, does this succeed?

This movie is a triumph of toothy rednecks in leather masks and laughing about pain infliction's to come and of times past. There is no redneck equivalent of a seminar or any attempt to analyze what they are doing, which is a relief, but this is possibly something for the sequel.

Other comments

In its time this movie caused much controversy and was widely banned. It is a truly vicious movie with little to enjoy. This is one of those movies to get through, to say you've seen it.

Has none of the class of The Exorcist, we felt the original Evil Dead was our definition of horror, but haven't seen that recently so don't quote us on that one...

There is little gushy-blood and oozy-gore in this movie, however, which is a relief, although it contains scenes which really are truly disturbing.

Date of review

April 20, 2003

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