Movie Details
Starring
Genre
More details
See more movie reviews

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) (R, 1974)

common sense media says

Best for older teens and adults only.

parents & educators say
  • 43% say violence is an issue
See all 18 reviews | Review it

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?

Positive messages: The cast is all white; one character is in a wheelchair. The characters pick up a hitchhiker.
Violence: Graphic description of how cows are slaughtered. Characters are cut, stabbed, sliced, and hung--but there is not nearly as much blood/gore as there is in modern horror movies. Disturbing images, such as decaying bodies, skeletons, and a nest of daddy lo
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Mild, especially considering that the characters are being chased by crazed killers.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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?

What's the story?

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?

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.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: New Line
Director: Tobe Hooper
Cast: Ed Neal, Gunnar Hansen, Marilyn Burns
Genre: Horror
Run time: 83 minutes
Theatrical release: January 1, 1974
DVD release: January 1, 1974
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: violence
This review was written by Beth Pratt
 
 

Review It

 

Review The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

What parents & educators say

12
Based on 7 parent & educator reviews:
  • 43% say violence is an issue
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

zasderfght
teen, 14 years old
15
 
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****
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (2)
kranda2000
kid, 11 years old
15
 
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.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
Bart700
teen, 17 years old
 
f***ing awesome
it's one of the bloodiest movie i ever seen it so scary nobody should seen it
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
girlskates
kid, 12 years old
13
 
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
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
1x1x1x1
kid, 2 years old
8
 
Rated R... Wait, WHAT?!
Oh come on! Why did they rate this R? It was supposed to be PG! Let 8 year olds watch it! They will LOVE IT!!! And I'm a pretty reasonable reviewer for a kid. Theres just skulls, spiders, and blood. But who the heck cares?
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
Plague
parent
13
 
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
An all out instant classic of a horror film. Extremely gorey and quite disturbing for a movie of its time. Adults will reminisce, and teens will love it.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
korn111
adult
13
 
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.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
cerealkiller189
teen, 13 years old
6
 
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
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)
ClassicCultRev ...
adult
16
 
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)
Seminolefreak
teen, 14 years old
14
 
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
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)
Hello Mother
teen, 16 years old
10
 
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.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (3)
sinisterplague
adult
13
 
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.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)
ac7193
teen, 17 years old
 
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.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)
davidguitar15. ...
teen, 17 years old
16
 
its a great movie..not to gory...i my self would give this movie a PG-13 rating.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)
Quinton_Moad
adult
7
 
"The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" is a solid horror movie but it can be frightening for younger viewers
"The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" isn't as bad as the title suggests nor does it deserve an R-rating. It's very frightening at times but with parental supervision, most children seven and older can watch it.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)
pitpens9091
adult
 
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)
spycaper51
teen, 16 years old
 
well....
normally Im the kind of person who HATES horror movies with every ounce of my being, but there are some exceptions, this one for exapmle, others include friday the 13th, nightmare on elm street, and halloween if you just happen to have the chance to wathc it, its wort a go, but still not for kids
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)
gitters
adult
 
texas chainsaw 74
If you let your children watch horror movies and they want to see the original TCM, I'd say go for it. The movies very tame by today's standards. Violence is really the only issue, and really it's not all that bad.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you see The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)?

Won't miss it
On the fence
No way

Already seen it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Browse more movies
About our rating system
ON: Content is 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
Our child development rating guidelines