#HorrorMovie #Classic - The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

I have a confession to make. I’ve never seen The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) before now. I know, everyone gasped, maybe even felt faint. Well I was 4 when it came out, and for whatever reason the movie never found its way to my TV until now. I guess I had to lose my virginity sometime.

I’ve seen seconds of the remake and about the same of the original sequels, so I have a basic understanding of the movie. Finally, seeing it, I’m disappointed with myself for not making an effort to see this sooner. It’s darker, more chilling, and stranger than I expected. Everything from the patterned shirts the guys wear (I love them by the way) to the way the house is decorated has a layer of LSD on it; it was the 70s after all.

The musical score is chilling, especially the lone percussion clangs and bangs. The Sawyers are an amazing family, and at times I thought they were trying to capture Sally to become a member. Of course, she wasn’t having any part of that if that were their intent. Damn, her (Marilyn Burns) screams are amazing, much better than the feeble squeals of Pam (Teri McMinn), and once Sally started, she didn’t stop until the ending credits.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is what horror is about, not the artsy crap they are trying to pull off as horror these days (yes, horror-lite) designed to entice more people into the theaters, and give them a few quick chills, then send them on their way. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is artsy in its own way, the camera angles, for example, when Sally screams.

The insanity of the dinner scene is like nothing I’ve witnessed, while some have come close, this is so freakishly delightful, I honestly couldn’t stop smiling with the depravity of it. The radio news report is bizarre, and just listening to the reporter took me back to my childhood hearing newscasts like it, well, probably not as hardcore.

Now, that I’ve finally watched The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, I’m more than happy that I got to check it off my bucket list, and I give it 5 out of 5 Stars.