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The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

(1974, Rated R, Horror, Starring Marilyn Burns, Ed Neal, Gunnar Hansen)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 18; suggested age 16.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Best for older teens and adults only.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–18

What to watch out for

  • 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 an issue.
  • Language:

    Mild, especially considering that the characters are being chased by crazed killers.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

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?

Did this review help you decide?

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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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title off for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    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.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 3.0

    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.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title iffy for age 16 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

    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.

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 4.0

    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****

  6. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

  7. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 3.0

    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.

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 3.0

    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

  9. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 3.0

    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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