Often credited as one of the most influential horror movies
of the last forty years, The Texas
Chainsaw Massacre is responsible for creating many elements now frequent in
the slasher genre. The film was produced for a budget of less than $300,000 but
went on to bring in over £30 million at the box office and has since spawned
five sequels or remakes with a sixth scheduled for release in 2013. I saw the
2003 remake when I was about eighteen and remember being nonplussed by its story
and violence. My Dad then asked me if I’d seen the original and when I said I
wasn’t sure he replied “You’d remember if you’d seen the original.” Well nine
years on I’ve now seen the original and despite some good moments and obvious
influence it has had on recent horror I fail to see its appeal. I didn’t find
it scary or threatening, the story bored me and I was very glad that it was
only 84 minutes long.
If you’ve ever seen a slasher film then the premise will
sound very familiar. Five friends are travelling through central Texas on their way to a
run down house owned by the family of Sally (Marylin Burns) and her brother
Franklin (Paul A. Partain). Along the way they pick up a hitchhiker who scares
the group, attacks Franklin
and flees. Once they reach the homestead the group slowly begin to dwindle as
they encounter chainsaw wielding, leather mask wearing neighbour/maniac.
