The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Last updated:
November 1, 2024

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is one of the most iconic horror films ever made, establishing the blueprint for the slasher genre. Directed by Tobe Hooper, this 1974 classic is known for its raw, gritty style and unnerving atmosphere. Let’s dive into the film’s themes, story, and lasting impact.

Detailed Summary

Introduction: The Road Trip

The movie begins with a group of five friends—Sally Hardesty (Marilyn Burns), her brother Franklin (Paul A. Partain), and their friends Jerry, Kirk, and Pam—driving through rural Texas to visit the old Hardesty family home. The journey takes a dark turn when they pick up a bizarre hitchhiker, who slashes himself and Franklin before being kicked out of the van.

This scene sets the tone of paranoia and unease that persists throughout the film, establishing the idea that this is no ordinary road trip.

First Kill: Kirk’s Fate

Kirk and Pam venture out to find a nearby swimming hole but instead stumble upon an eerie farmhouse. Kirk, curious and unsuspecting, enters the house, only to be brutally killed by a large, hulking man in a mask made of human skin—Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen). The scene is shocking and abrupt, with Kirk’s death marking the film’s first major kill.

Leatherface Unleashed

As the group dwindles one by one, we see Leatherface and his deranged family carry out unspeakable acts of violence. Pam is hung on a meat hook, Jerry is killed with a sledgehammer, and Franklin meets his gruesome fate at the hands of a chainsaw.

Leatherface’s brutality is matched only by the eerie, disjointed household environment, making this more than just a slasher film—it’s a descent into madness.

Sally’s Survival: The Dinner Scene

Sally becomes the film’s “final girl,” narrowly escaping Leatherface and the horrific Sawyer family. However, she is soon captured and brought back to their house, where the infamous dinner scene unfolds. The family torments Sally, and the audience is treated to some of the most disturbing and chaotic imagery in horror history.

The Chase and the Ending

Sally eventually escapes by throwing herself through a window, and Leatherface chases her down a dirt road with his chainsaw roaring. In the film’s climax, Sally is rescued by a passing truck driver, leaving Leatherface spinning in frustration, wildly swinging his chainsaw in the air as the sun rises.

Movie Ending

Sally escapes, screaming and covered in blood, in the back of a pickup truck, while Leatherface remains behind, furiously wielding his chainsaw. The film ends with this iconic image of Leatherface dancing in the sunrise with his chainsaw, a scene that leaves the audience rattled and unsettled.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

There are no post-credits scenes in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. The film ends definitively with the chilling final shot of Leatherface. Given the era it was made in, post-credit scenes weren’t common in horror films at the time.

Type of Movie

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a slasher horror film with elements of psychological horror. The film’s gritty realism, lack of music in many scenes, and raw, documentary-like style add to its terrifying atmosphere. It’s often credited with setting the standard for future slasher films.

Cast

Marilyn Burns as Sally Hardesty
Gunnar Hansen as Leatherface
Paul A. Partain as Franklin Hardesty
Edwin Neal as The Hitchhiker
Jim Siedow as The Cook (Drayton Sawyer)
John Dugan as Grandpa Sawyer

Film Music and Composer

The film’s score is minimalist, composed primarily by Tobe Hooper and Wayne Bell. Instead of traditional music, the score consists of unsettling, industrial-like sounds, which heighten the sense of dread and create a suffocating atmosphere.

Filming Locations

The film was shot in rural Texas, specifically around Austin and Round Rock, which lend authenticity to the remote, isolated setting. The primary house used for the Sawyer family is located in Kingsland, Texas. The scorching Texas heat contributed to the film’s gritty, uncomfortable tone, both on-screen and for the cast and crew.

Awards and Nominations

Despite being a cultural phenomenon, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre did not receive major awards upon release, as it was seen as too controversial and extreme. Over time, however, the film has garnered critical praise and is often listed among the greatest horror films ever made. It has since earned a cult following and several retrospective honors.

Behind the Scenes Insights

The filming conditions were notoriously brutal, with temperatures often exceeding 100°F, leading to an intense and uncomfortable environment for the cast.
Gunnar Hansen, who played Leatherface, wore the same costume throughout the shoot without washing it, adding to the unsettling, grimy feel of the character.
The “dinner scene” was shot over 27 hours straight, leading to actual exhaustion and distress among the actors, especially Marilyn Burns.
Tobe Hooper originally intended for the film to have a PG rating, but the intense violence and horror elements resulted in an R rating.

Inspirations and References

The film was loosely inspired by real-life events, particularly the crimes of Ed Gein, a notorious murderer and body snatcher who crafted objects out of human remains. While Gein didn’t wield a chainsaw, his macabre actions helped shape the film’s gruesome tone.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no known alternate endings or significant deleted scenes for the 1974 version of the movie. The final cut of the film is the director’s original vision, tightly packed with tension and horror, and removing scenes would likely have detracted from its impact.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The film was not based on a book, but it has since inspired numerous tie-in novels and expanded universes, including sequels, reboots, and prequels. The story’s core—innocent young adults running afoul of a psychotic family—remains intact across most adaptations.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The hitchhiker scene where the group picks up a disturbed stranger, who cuts himself and Franklin.
The first time Leatherface appears and kills Kirk with a hammer.
Pam being hung on a meat hook.
The dinner scene where Sally is tortured by the Sawyer family.
Sally’s desperate escape through the window.

Iconic Quotes

The Narrator: “The film which you are about to see is an account of the tragedy which befell a group of five youths…”
Franklin: “If I have any more fun today, I don’t think I can take it!”
Sally: (Screaming) “Help me!”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The opening scene uses real footage of decomposing bodies, contributing to the gritty and realistic tone.
Leatherface’s different masks represent different personalities: the “Killing” mask, the “Old Woman” mask, and the “Pretty Woman” mask.
Edwin Neal, who played the hitchhiker, based his performance on someone he met while serving in Vietnam, adding a layer of disturbed authenticity to his character.

Trivia

The chainsaw used in the film was a real, working chainsaw. During certain scenes, Gunnar Hansen was just inches away from seriously injuring the actors.
Despite its graphic content, the film contains very little blood. Much of the horror comes from suggestion and psychological fear.
The film was banned in several countries, including the UK, due to its intense scenes.
The budget for the film was incredibly low, around $140,000, yet it made over $30 million at the box office, making it one of the most profitable films in history.

Why Watch?

You should watch The Texas Chain Saw Massacre if you’re a fan of horror that feels raw, unfiltered, and genuinely terrifying. It’s a masterclass in building tension and dread without relying on jump scares or excessive gore. The film revolutionized the horror genre, setting the stage for countless slashers that followed.

Director’s Other Movies

Poltergeist (1982) (though the degree of Hooper’s involvement has been debated)
Lifeforce (1985)
Invaders from Mars (1986)
The Funhouse (1981)