Rating: 
Review
A gang of young kids driving through Texas in a van hear stories of killings in the area… feeling invincible they continue on until they pick up a hitchiker who is obsessed with telling them the killing methods they use at the slaughterhouse he works at. After the hitchiker slashes his hands, sets shit on fire and demands money, they kick him out of the van, but not before he cuts the hand of wheelchair riding Franklin. They run out of gas after kickin’ out the hitchslasher and Kirk, the driver, heads for an old house and becomes the first to meet Leatherface and his mallet. Kirks girlfriend Pam comes after him only to end up fatality number 2, this time with a pretty little hook shoved through her back. Jerry, rings in at number 3, falling victim to the mallet.
The only ones left now are Franklin and his sister Sally… after nobody comes back to the van they figure it’s time to go find them. Franklin, obviously easy prey, is next as Leatherface takes him down. Sally is now left all alone and leads Leatherface on a long chase that ends with her being held up in Leatherface’s house with him and his fucked up family. Between the furniture being made out of human bones and the hitchslasher from earlier being one of the family members, Sally, being the bright girl she is in this movie, realizes she should probably get the hell out there. She manages to escape, gives chase again… this time leaving Leatherface behind.
Reason to Watch
Next weeks dinner ideas.
Context
Made “presumably” on true events and had a much larger impact on audiences in 1974 than it would now. Not a lot of gore and blood, but a nice sense of terror for the most port.
Most Memorable Quote(s)
- “My family’s always been in” meat”
- “That’s the last goddamn hitchhiker I ever pick up”
- “I just can’t take no pleasure in killing. There’s just some things you gotta do. Don’t mean you have to like it”
What You Need to Get Through This Movie
A couple of napkins and some of that home made chili from the old smelly couple down the street.
Trivia
- Despite the implications of the film’s title, only one victim is killed by a chainsaw (Franklin).
- The financing for this film came from profits made off Deep Throat (1972).
- Uncredited and then unknown John Larroquette provided the narration
Educational Content
Never pick up hitchhikers, never trust a man who uses human skin as a facial mask, and never eat chili in Texas.
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