The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

Sally and her brother Franklin take a trip to their grandparent's hometown with some friends. They visit the cemetery where they were buried, finding that their graves were desecrated. After doing some more exploring, they find themselves at the mercy of a family of sickos. It's incredible what filmmakers can get away with in horror films these days. Since the 70s, they've been able to show all kinds of horrific violence. What's changed is that so many genre films these days are polished and lack the rawness and realness of their forefathers.

In both the Hostel and Saw franchises, we got to see innocents tortured and killed in detail. Few horror films today use the less is more approach. As proven by some of the classics, it's what you don't see that's so horrible. A big misconception about Tobe Hooper's 1974 classic is that it's really gory. While there are some graphic images, the film is more suggestive than it might be if made today. It's also one of a few horror films to look and feel absolutely real.

This was Hooper's first foray into the genre and it's easy to see why at one time he was sought after. He and writer/associate producer Kim Henkel excel at creating suspense and tension. The cast was made up of unknowns, all of which turn in fine performances. You really believe the Sawyer family members are looney and that their victims are terrified beyond belief. Speaking of which, there are plenty of great scares that should catch you off guard.

One of the film's strongest points is the look, which at that time was unlike anything seen before. The combination of the cinematography and production design give the film a real stripped down, gritty look. There's also some pretty graphic imagery throughout, like the mangled corpses at the opening. Also effective is the score, which is actually really simple and subtle. And this is also one of those films that's deliberately paced and it's a perfect fit.

Though this is a classic to be sure and one that's stood the test of time, perfect it isn't. Apart from Sally and Franklin, we don't get to know their friends all that well. A little more time and info on them would have been nice. Nearly 40 years old as of this writing, TCM is still a powerful film, but less so by now. After a few sequels, a remake and films with similar conventions, seeing a chainsaw-wielding maniac isn't quite the same. That doesn't change the fact that it's a harrowing masterpiece that trumps a lot of recent fare.

9/10