The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

Despite the lack of bloody naturalistic details, it is an absolutely brutal piece that I don't recommend to weaker characters. The last quarter of an hour is probably the scariest passage I've seen in the horror genre. No macabre orgy, no flying limbs, but something much worse, a concentrated mixture of terror, dismay and a certain sense of disgust at seeing human perversion in its most horrible form. The last time I had a similarly intense experience was watching the famous violent scene in Boorman's Deliverance. (11/16/2003)

I'm not a big fan of old horror movies, but with The Texas Chainsaw Massacre I just couldn't resist. I've seen the 2003 film, which didn't impress or scare me that much. The original film can't be denied for creating an authentic atmosphere of some American backwater where a bunch of young people are at the mercy of madmen with perverted appetites. At times I found the character of the invalid very irritating, but that's just my opinion. All in all, a solid horror film that is a bit dull at the beginning, but the second half positively balances this out. (08/16/2012)

A very intense film full of violence and filth in the distinctive style of Tob Hooper. I was very surprised that when compared with the remake, this one is a completely different film, one that relies on the atmosphere generated by the violent behaviour of the cannibal family, but without being as graphic (the remake had blood and innards hanging everywhere), here the brutality is only hinted at. Since the viewer doesn’t see anything clearly, their fantasy can start working at full steam, which is a lot worse than when they show intestines and blood. (06/08/2008)

A film that will celebrate its 50th anniversary in two years. It’s hard to believe, but I only just got around to watching the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre. After viewing it, I’m left with mixed feelings. I have to admit that financially, the film was incredibly successful; the cost-to-performance ratio is unmatched (I understand why people went to see it in movie theaters, as nothing similar was available at the time). The acting was somewhat irritating to me, as it often felt quite cheap, almost as if they just pulled a few people off the street and told them to give it a shot (only the main heroine’s sense of helplessness felt believable). That brings us to the story, which is arguably the biggest draw. The film manages to create a fairly oppressive atmosphere that keeps you glued to your seat. The depiction of the redneck Texas countryside is spot-on, and the scene where Leatherface first appears on screen is shocking in its unpleasantness and brutality. This all culminates in the climactic dinner scene and the final chase. So, I’m not overly thrilled, but it does have its merits. For me, it’s 6.5/10. P.S. The chainsaw dance at sunset is a luxurious touch. (02/24/2022)

Today, it’s considered a classic slasher film, which, among other things, shows that even a proper maniac should be in good shape. What I certainly didn't expect was the swift and uncompromising elimination of all the protagonists. For the opening scene with the skeletons and the ending with the dinner and everything after (especially the dance with the saw), the film deserves five stars. But it's still missing "something". And there is quite a lot of "something".__P.S. Now I can watch the remake in peace, so I'm in the loop. (05/09/2010)