The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Movie review by Beth Pratt, Common Sense Media
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 16+

Best for older teens and adults only.

R 1974 83 minutes
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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 26 reviews

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 69 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

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?

Community Reviews

Michael Loughrie
Michael Loughrie Adult
February 18, 2016
age 13+

A classic masterpiece

This film is beyond great. It has great characters, and each one has it's meaning. The movie doesn't need gore or blood to be scary. It also doesn't need a lot of money. It was only made with less than 100,000! The only bad thing I can say about this movie is despite the title, only one person is killed with a chainsaw, and the death isn't very slow either. This scene takes place in the forest, but you'll see in the movie. Recommended.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
sinisterplague
sinisterplague Adult
February 9, 2009
age 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.
1 person found this helpful.
See all 26 parent reviews

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?

As you might imagine, this is a very disturbing movie that is best for older teens and adults only. 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. One final note: This version is much better (and less violent) than the 2003 remake.

Talk to Your Kids 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?

Movie Details

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