Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ (1974)

Written by Scott Edwards

​One of the things that I like to do when I am feeling down is to pop in a classic horror movie to show me that things could be worse. While there are plenty of good movies coming out these days, sometimes they are lacking something that the classics never did, relatable characters. While it might be difficult for some people to relate to a generation that is many decades older than them, I have always been an old soul and love putting myself in their shoes. Sometimes you just need to sit back and see how things used to be to see what you should not be doing going forward, because you never know, it might help you in the long run.
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Heading across the state to show her boyfriend Jerry, friends Kirk and Pam, along with her brother Franklin the old homestead, Sally wants to make a quick stop at the local cemetery to check on her grandparent’s remains. With reports of grave robbing in the area and a monument built out of several different bodies, it would put her at peace to know that her family’s bodies were not involved in such matters. Reporting back to the van with the good news that nothing has disturbed the graves, the group heads back out onto the road when they come across a smell that they cannot explain. Passing the slaughterhouse, Franklin is happy to tell everyone everything he knows about how the cows are put down and while it is vile for most everyone, Franklin will never forget that his uncle works the lines to bring the world fresh beef.

Seeing a hitchhiker on the side of the road, the group tries to decide if they should pick him up. Looking a little different, they stop the van and let him come aboard. With very few words being said between the group and their new friend, Franklin is curious about if he works at the slaughterhouse. With plenty of stories about how the new bolt gun does not work and the sledgehammer is the best method of killing the cows, the hitchhiker shows off the pictures of some of the cows he has killed in the past. As the pictures circulate around the van and everyone is sickened by them, the hitchhiker pulls out his camera and takes a picture of Franklin and asks for money in return. Not wanting to pay him for the crappy photo, Franklin stands his ground, but gets cut across the arm in return. Kicking the psycho hitchhiker out of the van, the group has no idea who or what they will soon be dealing with.

Stopping at the gas station to fill up, Jerry is shocked to hear the owner say that they don’t have any gas currently. Getting a quick set of directions to the old homestead, the group moves on in their travels and are able to locate the old house. As everyone from the group makes their way up and into the house, Franklin is outside by the van looking at the blood mark that the hitchhiker left on it. Wondering if it means anything, he shoots down the idea of them possibly being followed since it seems like a long shot. Not being able to get his sister or friends to come and help him into the house, Franklin is starting to feel alone once again and is wondering why he even came along on the trip. But he is helpful when Pam and Kirk want to get directions to the swimming hole.

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​Heading down the path as Franklin directed them to, Kirk hears a generator in the distance and knows that whoever lives there might have some gas. Wanting to make a trade with the owners for some, the couple make their way up to what seems to be a normal house, but quickly find out that there are plenty of secrets inside the walls. With the door opening when he knocks on it, Kirk enters and is quickly pulled into a dungeon by a larger individual. Not being able to find her man, Pam enters the house and sees that it is full of dead animals and that not being her thing, she tries to leave, but is stopped by the same larger person who is wearing a leather mask on his face. 
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While the night is moving in, Jerry is starting to worry about his friends being lost in the dark and decides to head out and look for them. Wanting to go with her man, Sally is begged to stick back with Franklin since he cannot be abandoned. Rolling up in the house, Jerry takes a look around and when seeing the beach towel sitting on the patio, he knows that the two are there. Hearing a strange knocking in the basement, Jerry moves in to find someone locked in the freezer. Not getting the chance to escape and tell anyone about his find, he becomes just another number in the greatest massacre in Texas. Needing to locate her friends and boyfriend, Sally and Franklin join the search, but it becomes very short lived as they find out that they are the hunted and need to run for their lives as Leatherface gets out of the house and is looking for meat.

This is one of those movies that is a must own in any horror fan’s film collection as the word classic does not do it justice. It was an independent film that was able to put horror movies back on the big screens for fans to love and rejoice. While you don’t have the big-name actors of the generation, much less a giant budget for effects, this movie keeps you guessing as all of the missing gore on the screen is seen in your mind. That is really the genius of this movie, as you only get to see one person getting hit with the chainsaw at the end, but what you think you see is so much worse. With some no name actors, plenty of screams, a sledgehammer, a chainsaw, a psycho family and a killer who does what dad tells him to do, it is regarded as a classic for the ages. What I will tell you is that this movie has inspired so many minds in the movie industry and I know it will continue to live on for many more generations as one of the greatest films to ever grace the horror genre. Stay Scared.

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