11/26/2009 --- John Hughes and Patrick Swayze were huge losses this year in the entertainment indust...
11/26/2009 --- John Hughes and Patrick Swayze were huge losses this year in the entertainment industry, and I intend to honor them over the next few weeks. Chris :)
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<<<<< TITLE: Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The >>>>> <<<<< RATING: ****1/2 (out of 5) >>>>> <<<<< CAST: Gunnar Hanson, Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger, Paul A. Partain, William Vail, Teri McMinn, Edwin Neal, Jim Siedow, John Dugan, Robert Courtin, William Creamer, John Henry Foulk, Jerry Green, Ed Guinn, Joe Bill Hogan. Narration by John Larroquette. >>>>> <<<<< DIRECTOR: Tobe Hooper >>>>> <<<<< STUDIO: Bryanston Films (Original Distributer); New Line Cinema >>>>> <<<<< DVD DISTRIBUTOR: Elite Entertainment >>>>> <<<<< RUNNING TIME: 83 MIN. >>>>> <<<<< RATED: 18 (UK), R (US) >>>>>
<<<<< Thirty Years Old And Still Buzzing Strong >>>>>
I’ve never been a big horror film fan mostly because I really don’t think there are many horror films out there I can label as “great.” If you look at my list of the Top Ten Horror Films of All Time, half of them are fondly remembered and others you never even heard of. The film that was number six on that list was THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE an unrelenting, almost unbearably frightening horror film with a moderate amount of black humor to balance out the scares. I saw it a few years ago and almost couldn’t finish watching it. Recently, I decided to rent the Special Edition DVD and was more prepared for it, and I ended up loving it. Considering that it was made way back in 1974, on an almost miniscule budget of $140,000, the film has now become a genuine classic of the genre.
Now, I want to lay something to rest right now. When you think of a title like TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE, what do you think of? A guy running around with a chainsaw and buzzing people to death? Well, that is pretty much what the film is about, true, but many people receive the misperception that the film is extremely gory and bloody. This is absolutely not the case with this film. In fact, there is hardly any blood in the entire film, with the story built up entirely on suspense and atmosphere, which is exactly the way other filmmakers have brought us some of the greatest horror films, like THE EXORCIST, REPULSION, HALLOWEEN, and BLACK CHRISTMAS. You
may not believe me, and that is your choice, but the absolute truth is that not only the blood, but actual violence in this film, is minimized. Director Tobe Hooper even intended to release the film with a “PG” rating; it was given an “R” by the MPAA because of the overall effectiveness of the film, including what was implied off-screen. Anyway, now are you ready to read what all the “buzz” is about?
<<<<< Ever Been To A Good Barbecue??? >>>>>
The setting of the film is the state of Texas (in case you haven’t guessed yet, lol); it is the middle of the summer and boiling hot. We soon meet five teenagers traveling in a rather ugly van. The central character of this group is Sarah Hardesty, and along with her boyfriend Jerry, her wheel-chaired brother Franklin and two other friends Pam and Kirk; they are on their way to her grandfather’s grave, which she has heard has been desecrated. Along the way, they pick up a rather insane hitchhiker, which they soon remedy by dropping him off soon after they let him come aboard. Then they stop by at a gas station for a fill-up, and meet an equally off-the-wall attendant. Obviously Texas isn’t exactly the right state to take a quiet drive through.
They finally arrive at the farm where Sarah’s grandfather used to reside. They decide to relax awhile after their long drive; Pam and Kirk even decide to go out to a waterhole for a swim. However, they soon run into overweight crazy named Leatherface that kills them and stores their bodies in his kitchen. Soon, Franklin and Jerry suffer the same fate, which leaves Sarah being chased and chased by this homicidal maniac carrying a chainsaw, and this is without a doubt the highlight of the movie and, needless to say, very disturbing to watch. She is soon captured and we meet Leatherface’s family, who have a committed, though unusual sense in what cuts of meat make for a great barbecue.
<<<<< Tobe Hooper’s Masterpiece >>>>>
A native of Austin, Texas, a 31-year-old Tobe Hooper made his film debut with TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE. Over the years, he has made several hit-and-miss films, such as SALEM’S LOT, a remarkable adaptation of the Stephen King novel of the same name. He also directed the outstanding POLTERGEIST, which was produced by Stephen Spielberg. However, he has never received more acclaim for this film; in 1986, he made a sequel to his classic debut that is nowhere near as good. It still amazes me how he could take a truly unpleasant (and some may call repulsive) story, and turn it into a watchable and respectful film. He co-wrote the screenplay with Kim Henkel, and based it on famous serial killer Ed Gein, who was arrested in 1957 after killing several members of his own family. Gein’s story also inspired the legendary Hitchcock film PSYCHO, though Leatherface is more faithful to Gein than Norman Bates was. Despite its introductory claim, however, this film is NOT based on a true story, which Hooper emphasizes in the DVD’s audio commentary.
The actors that Hooper cast in this groundbreaking film are all quite young, yet are also quite good. Marilyn Burns plays Sarah which such believability and sincerity that she makes the audience care about her and hope she will get away from Leatherface; what is even more interesting is that while she is running away from him, the blood that you see on her body (though not very clearly) is actually her real blood, which was caused by the trees and bushes she runs into, and not the chainsaw. Her performance is more than moving, but shocking, especially at the claustrophic “family dinner scene” at the end of the film. Her brother Franklin is really the source of some of humor in the film, and on that note is quite good as the disabled one of the quintet. While the other characters are not really all that fleshed out, and serving nothing more as victims for Leatherface’s rampage, they still offer very good performances. I especially loved Teri McMinn as Pam, as she is trying to look for Jerry and is very uneasy when she hears unusual noises coming from the house is killed in.
However, I think the real star of the film, and also the one that gives the best and most impressive performance is by Gunnar Hanson. He plays Leatherface with just the right amount of creepiness and humor, and that is one of the reasons why he has become such a “memorable” character. He has no lines in the film; instead he substitutes words for gibberish noises which are chilling to hear. In hearing Hanson on the commentary, he wanted to make Leatherface a mute, retarded individual with a weird walk. He even visited a school for the mentally disturbed to help him prepare for the role. There are two moments in the film that I think I will never forget, with one being his reaction to all the “visitors” that are coming around to his home, complete with showing off his teeth and licking his lips. Then there is the final sequence, which is Hanson’s high point, and still the most remembered image by everyone in the whole film. The film is worth watching just for his performance and the uniqueness of his character.
<<<<< What is Up With The British Film Censors??? >>>>>
I’m sure all of the film’s fans and those that liked the film are still wondering why the UK decided to ban the film. Personally, I have no idea why considering the almost nonexistent amount of blood and gore, and even violence. Eventually, the US loosened up and showed it on Television in 1999, which was the same year where the UK took the film of its “banned” list. The film was banned not once, but three times by the British film sensors, in 1975, 1977, and 1983, the latter of which was the heyday of the aptly named “Video Nasties.” Hey, TCM may be unpleasant though it isn’t nasty, lol!!! This goes back to what I was saying earlier that this film has been harshly lambasted. I feel even more strongly to I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE, a 1978 film about a brutal rape of a girl and the revenge she takes on her attackers. Ironically, GRAVE suffered the same fate as TCM in the UK, being released as a “Video Nasty,” and was even attempted to be banned by the US, though the film’s supporters waived that. Still, where the British Film Censors got the idea that TCM should be banned is beyond me; they probably just found the film too damn intense and thought the audience wouldn’t be able to watch it. What a bunch of morons!!!
<<<<< A Delicious Set of DVD Extras >>>>>
Ok, now on to the various special features this Special Edition of TCM has to offer. First off, we have a series of theatrical trailers of previews. There are four for TCM, with two made at the film’s original release, and the other two made in 1983, when the film was re-released by New Line Cinema. There are also previews for the three sequels, which are only recommended viewing by die-hard fans; the one for LEATHERFACE: TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE III was pretty laughable though. There is also a hilarious blooper reel with such sundry scenes as Franklin attempting to get through a doorway in his wheelchair and falling to the ground, as well as a similar one where Sarah falls over in the chair she is strapped in. However, we also get a brief glimpse of Tobe Hooper at the very end. Added to that a series of deleted scenes and alternate footage that have a lot of grain, though fans should love it.
Now, we get to my favorite extra of the DVD, which is the audio commentary. Reunited almost 30 years later, is director Tobe Hooper, star Gunnar Hanson, and director of photography Daniel Pearl, who was only 23 at the time he made the film with Hooper. These guys have a lot of fun making jokes and providing wonderful insight to the making of TCM. They are still very impressed by the movie’s success as well, and even after all this time, they are still met by fans who ask for autographs and ask questions. All three of these guys each made a great contribution to the film, and their commentary is like the cherry on the cake. Wonderful to listen to, particularly for fans of the film.
<<<<< You Are Invited To This Barbecue, Though We Understand If You Don’t Come >>>>>
So, if you give this film a chance (even if you hate horror films) you might be very surprised at the power that this film emits, despite its’ age. If anything, the film is certainly classic and influential, though admittedly not to everyone’s taste (no pun intended). So, if you can’t stand horror films, or if you are a vegetarian, then you might want to stay away, lmao. The Special Edition DVD is availbale everywhere for 20 quid or less. Enjoy the film, thanks for reading, and look forward to your comments. Cheers!!! Chris xxxx
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Production Year: 1980 - Horror - Director: Stanley Kubrick - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd
This sensational, extremely influential, 1974 low-budget horror movie directed by Tobe ... more
Hooper (Poltergeist,Lifeforce,Salem's Lot), may be notorious for its title, but it's also a damn fine piece of moviemaking. And it's blood-curdling scary, too. Loose...
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![The Texas Chainsaw Massacre [DVD] [1999]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/75115440.jpg "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre [DVD] [1999]")
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