 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
- Review Date: October 21, 2003
- R
- Genre: Horror
- 1974
Common Sense Media says
Best for older teens and adults only.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that although this movie has some blood and gore, the amount is noticeably less than what appears in modern horror movies. Also missing here is the extremely profane language and sex/nudity that are very much a part of current scary movies. Despite this, the movie is still way too scary and intense for younger teens--if you watch with your older teen, you might want to discuss how horror movies have changed over time. Do they think the additional violence in modern horror flicks makes them scarier?
What's the story?
In this horror classic, Sally and her brother Franklin learn that their grandfather's grave may have been desecrated, so they, along with three of their friends, hop in a van to go investigate. On the way, they pick up a hitchhiker who turns out to be insane. After they force him out of the van, they continue on to Sally and Franklin's grandfather's abandoned house. Before long, they meet up with the crazed cannibal named Leatherface (his mask is made of human flesh), and his equally insane family. One by one they are chased and brutally killed by this evil madman until only one remains.
Is it any good?
THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE is considered a classic by horror movie aficionados, and it's easy to see why--at the time, no one had ever created anything quite like it. Some called it a brilliant commentary on a post-Vietnam era. Others called it the most offensive movie ever made. Regardless, it struck a chord with audiences back in 1974, and it still manages to capture our attention today.
Despite this terrifying premise, the blood and guts is kept to a minimum for an R-rated movie. When someone is stabbed, we don't actually see the knife going into the flesh or the bloody organs that lie beneath. The audience is left to fill in these blanks on their own. Yet, the movie still manages to be extremely scary. The chase scenes are especially intense, and the scene is which Sally attends the family dinner is horrifying because we can see her pure terror--the camera zooms in on the blood vessels popping out of her eyes. Overall, this is a very disturbing movie that is best for older teens and adults only. One final note: This version is much better (and less violent) than the 2003 remake.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the difference in amount and type of violence in this horror classic, and some of the more graphic films of today. Do you think it's possible for young people, and even adults, to become desensitized to violence by watching really violent films?
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AGE
f***ing awesome
it's one of the bloodiest movie i ever seen it so scary nobody should seen it
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Kid, 12 years old
September 29, 2011
AGE
Absurd reviews above
It is absurd that people are saying 7 year olds should watch this. Even though there isnt a lot of blood, the movie is still very disturbing. 13 and up is a good age range
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AGE
One of my favorite horror films
Although I am too young to have lived in the time back when this film was scary, I still find it to be very enjoyable.
Though it no longer scares, you can't help but admire the atmosphere and techniques Director Tobe Hooper uses to make you uneasy, and paint such a grim view of the vietnam era. Also, Leatherface is a fantastic villain who really makes you wonder. Why does this man do this? Is it only to feed his family? Is it his hatred towards teens or people in general? Or is he just not all there?
Maybe he doesn't exactly know what he is doing, and is acting purely on motorized reflex? I won't tell you what I think his reason is. You just need to watch the film and decide for yourself. Trust me, its worth a few for any fan of cinema. And an absolute must view for anyone who is at all interested in the horror genre.
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AGE
A whole lot better than the remake
My MPAA Rating, R: Strong bloody horror violence, mild language, tense sequences of violence, and disturbing images/moments
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AGE
The texas chain saw massacre is one of the scariest horror films
My rating: R for strong horror violence
Sex/Nudity: None
Violence/Scariness: strong horror violence
Profanity: 2 uses of b****
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AGE
It's Ok.
K, this movie is not what I expected. I thought this would be as scary as people told me it would be. It wasn't scary AT ALL! This movie should be rated PG-13.
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AGE
very good movie
love this movie its a horror movie classic i bought this movie when i was probaly 12 and loved it all of my friends would watch it over at my house and have nightmares for a week.not that much blood and gore.
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Kid, 12 years old
December 21, 2011
AGE
violent, but a great movie
very good film by Tobe Hooper. It is not scary compared to Saw or Scream or modern slasher movies, but it is still scary. Bloody and torturous, this movie should keep younger kids from sleping for days.
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AGE
Not that bad.
the only two scenes which i recommend parents look out for is the ending(dont want to reveal spoilers for those who havent seen it) and the part where (not saying the character's name to avoid giving away spoilers) is strapped to a dining table and is mentally tortured by a few guys who turn out to be accomplises of leatherface which is quite disturbing to sensitive viewers.other than that,im not gonna go any further.
suggested mpaa rating:PG13 for intense sequences of violence,mild language and a disturbing torture sequence.
violence:3/10
blood and gore level:2/10
language:0/10
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AGE
Good film, but sertantly not gory.
Well....its not that bad.... and not to stick up for the bad guy but, human flesh is the only thing he has.
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| Studio: | New Line |
| Director: | Tobe Hooper |
| Cast: | Ed Neal, Gunnar Hansen, Marilyn Burns |
| Genre: | Horror |
| Run time: | 83 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 1, 1974 |
| DVD release date: | January 1, 1974 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | violence |
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