October 17th - Horror Feature: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Here's another movie that spawned a series of sequels, remakes, reboots, prequels and whatever. Yes, it's been tainted by the touch of Michael Bay who thought it best to modernize classic horror films that really felt at home in their original decade. (Again, he did produce the Friday the 13th reboot, and there were gleams of quality within that frantic mess). Not that they're bad remakes, etc., but the first instalment is truly the best option. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre! No, not The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Chain Saw. This is the 1974 classic film that brought us the "true story" adaptation of the Ed Gein murders. For one, Ed Gein killed in Wisconsin, and he didn't really use a chainsaw. He did skin his victims and mutilate them, making various garments from their pelts. Leatherface replaced Ed Gein in this film, and his portrayal is an overly exaggerated version of the real person. All of the real-life crimes and horror are too much, but the film's absurdity helps the viewer understand that this is a fictional story at its heart. The film made a point of informing its audience that the cinematic depiction was based on a true story simply because that made it more frightening. It didn't matter how much it deviated from Ed Gein's actions. It really grabs a hold of those thoughts in the back of your head after viewing a horror film; is there someone out there who could do this to me right now? I have a habit of checking the back seat of my car after watching these movies. No, I'm not scared.

Shut up.

So a couple siblings and their friends are on a road trip to their grandfather's grave and family home in rural Texas. They pick up a hitchhiker, and that goes south pretty quick. You guessed it, he's crazy. And it won't be the last time we see him. They stop for gas and "barbecue" (yeah, wait for that realization), but not everything seems quite right (uh huh, "barbecue"). After arriving at the homestead, a few friends go off for a walk and stumble onto a neighbour's property where they encounter Leatherface in the house, and their meeting is short-lived to say the least. The remaining friends decide it best to look for their missing companions, and they drop off in succession. The film isn't long, which ramps up the pace quickly. You'd think they'd take it easy on the brother in the wheelchair, but he gets wrecked worse than most of the others (it's also the only chainsaw kill) but we later confirm in Friday the 13th Part 2 that even a paraplegic is game. The final act of the film veers from the standard slasher formula as we sit down to a meal with Leatherface and his family, including the stale-looking Grandfather. Yeah, he's alive. Somehow. The lengthy scene is excruciatingly uncomfortable and the content can be quite disturbing. It's great fun.

If you're looking for Leatherface's fit of frustration swinging the chainsaw over his head in the middle of the road you'll have to wait until the very end. It's worth the viewing experience, I assure you. Gunnar Hansen's portrayal of the main antagonist is fascinating, as he often received very little direction from Tobe Hooper and he developed the killer's odd characteristics himself. He is so awkward and uncoordinated that it's a wonder Leatherface is such a prolific butcher. But it makes him that much scarier. Many have tried to duplicate his portrayal of Leatherface, but Hansen is the true original (except for maybe Ed Gein?).

I'd like to give Marilyn Burns a nod for her part as Sally. Her top-billing should inform you that she winds up as the final girl. Now, I've made it very clear that Jamie Lee Curtis is the end-all-be-all Scream Queen, but Burns really nails the role in this one. It seems so natural and frantic, which I think is understandable given that Hansen's Leatherface is so terrifying. Imagine being chased through the dark woods by a giant killer nutjob with a chainsaw who skins people and eats what's left. Even if you get to see him between takes, it would feel all too real when the cameras are rolling. He isn't exactly a slow mover either. He really hoofs it when he has to, and jukes around with spastic flailing.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) is a must watch, even if you've seen and disliked the other entries in the franchise.