☆ ☆ ☆ ½
The Texas
Chain Saw Massacre (1974) – T. Hooper
The title put me off from this one for
thirty years and now that I’ve watched it, there’s no denying its visceral
nature and memorable (indelible?) images, particularly given the very low
budget. However, is this something that
you really need to watch? Probably not.
On the plus side, there is less gore than you might think, with a lot of
the horror left to your imagination (a scary place). This is much preferred
(but don’t go thinking that director Tobe Hooper is as discreet as Val Lewton
or anything). Also, there is the
implicit vegetarianism theme – humans are likened to cattle being slaughtered
for meat and the methods used are clearly spelled out (and exemplified). Worth
thinking about in this age of factory farming. On the minus side, well, this
movie is sadistic; the last victim is female (as usual) and there is always the
risk that some wrong-minded viewers might feel support for attitudes that condone
violence against women (the word “bitch” is telling). However, the character
with a disability is treated fairly equitably.
Still, you should think twice before exposing yourself to a film where a
bunch of young people get chased around by a man in a leather mask with a
chainsaw. Unless you want to be freaked
out, that is.
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