Big Winters: His Thoughts on Texas Chainsaw Massacre

So, recently, the Cadaver Lab Podcast covered the 1973 version of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The obviously well versed, and acknowledged ‘nerd’ Mike said he loved this film, and he can’t believe any body else wouldn’t love it. His co-host Sam, said that it was ‘okay’. His excuse was too much hype, and too many copies diluting the originals power. And…I agree with Sam.

First of all, this film was made in 1974, and beat all of the other traditional slasher movies by at least 4 years, (Halloween in 1978). So with all of the other main slasher franchises potentially being influenced by this, and the films that where influenced by them, we’re looking at the majority of slasher films since 1974 being a copy in some way. And when you have seen enough of the genre, even the very best can bore you.

The story begins, as you all know, with Sally taking her wheelchair bound, stereotype whiny-character Franklin. As well as these there is girl 1, 2 and guy 1. Okay, that was harsh. The characters in this rank among the least hated in movie history. With this film mostly focusing on feeling empathy for Sally and her friends, it works really well. The set of teenagers are by far the most normal, and innocent of all horror franchises. However, its strange to notice that despite being two couples, neither enjoy much in the way of love. Compare this to Friday The 13^th where if you have fun with someone of the opposite sex, Jason hates you, and murders you, preferably with awesome blood effects.

Another place where the film can be unfairly judged in modern times, is the various ‘disturbing’ acts. The hitchhiker, for instance, certainly makes you uneasy, yet for me, falling short of disturbing. The acts of cutting himself, and blowing up the picture, are unquestionably weird, yet with the common culture of wrist-cutting ‘emos’, and teenage gangs, the times have again caught up with the Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

The family, however, and without a doubt the biggest asset to this film. The child-like, yet unnerved killer Leatherface, the hitchhiker, and the head of the family, none of which given proper names, showing their animalistic nature. All, but especially Leatherface, are perfectly acted. Gunnar Hansen showing that brutal killers can still worry, and can still be frightened.

However, I cannot say that I was ever scared of Leatherface. The initial kill lacked shock, and terror, with no sound other than the slamming of the steel door behind the doomed Kirk. Now, the act of Leatherface grabbing him, and dragging him into the makeshift slaughterhouse is frightening, however, the overall effect isn’t. There is no ‘jumpy’ music, there is no screams, which, looking back is a good thing. In a film of realistic coincidences, there would be no realistic way that Dirk could force himself to shout out, and there certainly would be no music to make you jump, but perhaps less is less, in this overrated modern society of mine. Or perhaps im too childish to fully appreciate the brutal nature of this film.

The other kills in this film, and the subsequent chase, however cannot be faulted. The brutal impaling of Pam, and the sight of someone seeing their boyfriend being dismembered in front of them make for touch watching. The death of Franklin which is brilliantly backed up by the film score is jump worthy today, and the chase through the hedges and house remain as tense as you remember them. As a conventional slasher film, this has to be one of the best; however, the attempt to disturb the viewer wastes valuable killing time.

The attempts to disturb the audience, with the sucking of Sally’s finger and the dinner scene fail to disturb me in any way. Both look laughable 36 years on, perhaps showing the limitations of their culture compared to ours. With the reputation that this film holds, it cannot uphold it 30 years on. It cannot stand to the modern audience, which is acceptable, with the improving film quality, and its effects showing up the timeless classic.

So, I cannot take away anything from this movie, as it’s not meant for me, and it’s not meant to be watched for the first time now. Its perfect time to be watched was as a teenager in the 70s/80s. I understand why it deserves it cult classic status, yet I cannot enjoy it as much, because of it. It’s a classic, and it can only stay a classic by the memories of those who watched it in the perfect moment. And considering I didn’t, and Sam didn’t for that matter, how can you expect me to love it? It’s a great film, but it’s another reason why I was born to late.