The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a low-budget horror film, made in 1974 by director Tobe Hooper and starring Marilyn Burns, Gunnar Hansen, Edwin Neal, Allen Danzinger, Paul A. Partain, and Jim Siedow.

Related Topics:
Horror film - 1974 - Tobe Hooper - Marilyn Burns - Gunnar Hansen - Edwin Neal - Allen Danzinger - Paul A. Partain - Jim Siedow

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It concerns a family of cannibals in Texas, who abduct customers from their gas station. One of the main characters — Leatherface — kills his victims with a chainsaw.

Related Topics:
Cannibals - Texas - Gas station - Leatherface - Chainsaw

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Contrary to popular belief, the film does not depict factual events, but instead was (like the films Psycho and The Silence of the Lambs) loosely inspired by Ed Gein, who while he did wear human skin acted alone and did not use a chainsaw. Those who do believe the film was based on actual events will try to back up their statements with similar events in Texas, all of which had nothing to do with the film. Although the film's opening would have one believe that the events are factual, it was merely a scare tactic to frighten the audience. (Incidentally, the opening voice-over is performed by John Larroquette.)

Related Topics:
Psycho - The Silence of the Lambs - Ed Gein - Texas - Voice-over - John Larroquette

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It is often considered the prototype of the slasher film sub-genre. Despite its grisly subject matter, the film ? like John Carpenter's original Halloween ? does not rely so much on explicit gore to generate terror in the audience, as it does pacing, suspense, and dramatic tension. The many sequels and imitators the original film spawned have been much bloodier and more graphic.

Related Topics:
Slasher film - John Carpenter - Halloween

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The film was banned in the United Kingdom (1974-1999, but was subsequently issued on video and DVD), Germany, India, and Romania.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - DVD - Germany - India - Romania

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The film spawned three sequels:

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• The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2 (1986)
• ' (1990)
• ' (1994)

and a 2003 remake directed by Marcus Nispel and produced by Michael Bay.

Related Topics:
2003 - Remake - Marcus Nispel - Michael Bay

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The title of the original film spells 'Chain Saw' with two words, while the sequels and the remake use the compound 'Chainsaw'.

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The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: Plot (1974) ►