Top Horror Films – #23 – The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
1974; directed by Tobe Hooper; screenplay by Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel

The first time I saw this film was one of the most visceral and disconcerting movie watching experiences of my life. It’s 83 minutes that feeds directly into the part of the brain that makes your heart beat faster and your skin crawl. Whether or not this particular kind of experience is everyone’s cup of tea, no one can argue that the film doesn’t effectively accomplish everything that it sets out to do. Throw in the kernel of truth to its based-on-a-true-story conceit (the iconic killer Leatherface being loosely based on real-life serial killer Ed Gein), and you’ve got a gem of independent horror cinema.

John: For me, this is the scariest movie I’ve ever seen. Not the best horror movie, but I was so freaked out the first time I saw this. The documentary-like camerawork makes you feel as if this is really happening in front of you. None of the sequels/remakes came close at all.

Team Rankings:
John – #6
Ben – #10
Jeremy – #22

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Brandi is one of those people who worries about kids these days not appreciating black and white films. She also admires great moments of subtlety, since she has no idea how to be subtle herself.

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