Texas Chainsaw Massacre is the story of five friends on a road trip to visit the grandparent’s house of one of the group members. Although advertised as being based on true events, the story is entirely fictions.
Our protagonist’s first fatal flaw is trust and the belief in the kindness of others. One may not fully consider the stop at the gas station and asking directions to the nearest facility, but would it not make better sense to assume the lack of gas at the station is a premeditated effort to lure and prey upon stranded travelers. The group’s second act of generosity was in picking up the hitchhiker near the slaughter house and received quite a fright in return. Their third and final mistake lies in the group separating. Kurt and Pam abandon their mission to find the watering hole in favor of going next door and asking for some gas. Both have good intentions in order to assist the group with the previously mentioned fuel dilemma, but make the mistake of trusting the unknown neighbors when going over to ask for help and are met with an untimely end. Sally and Franklin also stray and in turn she loses her brother and her sanity.
The film basically follows the three strikes rule of any slasher. Those who separate, intoxicate, or fornicate will die. Although breaking away from the groups is their only crime; trust is their fatal flaw and more than enough to have been attacked, tortured, or killed.
I first saw TCM back during my Jr. High days. It was this old unrestored bootleg which first introduced me to the most insane slasher I’d ever seen. The true “meat” of the film was a complete 360 from the semi-slow paced character development filled intro. The sheer madness of the house alone is enough to cause one to gawk in wonder. I loved the personalization that went into the home , it really drives the point that the house really is occupied by cannibalistic psychopaths. The disarray also drives the point that these people have occupied their home for some time, they have been preying upon travelers and anyone unfortunate enough to step foot on their property. This truly is their lifestyle. The bone room is my favorite in the house. We have everything from furniture made from human remains, cookware, feathers scattered about the floor, and a random chicken in a cage.
The film was released 1974 and distributed by Bryanston Pictures and premiered October 1, 1974 in Austin, Texas. The false marketing of being a “true story” attracted large audiences. Hooper the film would receive a PG rating due to the minimal use of blood. After cutting the film slightly, it received an R rating. TCM is thought to also of had the most influence and setting standards for modern slashers. Everything from large, hulking antagonists using power tools on their victims. Ridley Scott has stated the film was an inspiration for Alien. Director Alexandre Aja also feels the film has influenced his early career, as well as the more obvious Rob Zombie feature House of a 1,000 Corpses
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