Directed by: Tobe Hooper

Premise: The original classic film about a group of hippies who run into a psychotic cannibalistic family in rural Texas.

What Works: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is one of those rare films that lives up to the hype. Like other slasher films it has a fairly simple story, but the simplicity is one of the film’s great strengths. It features an array of characters that are memorable and terrifying, Leatherface being the most obvious. The technical mastery and artistic experimentation is the area in which the film really shines. The use of sound, such as non-digetic effects and an experimental music score, adds to the madness. The cinematography is gorgeous in many respects and the film’s use of editing and camera movement is as good as filmmaking can get. The intensity of the original Chainsaw is rooted in the way its very simple narrative moves gradually from a calm opening to a chaotic, loud, and disorienting ending that undermines narrative expectations. The traditional triumph of good is undermined and Chainsaw’s that uncompromising vision of evil and madness makes it far stronger than any other film in the slasher subgenre.

What Doesn’t: This is not the kind of bloodbath that contemporary audiences may be anticipating based on the sequels and remakes to this film.

DVD extras: There have been several editions of this film as the home video rights have changed hands over the years. The most recent issue by Dark Sky Films, a two-disc edition in a tin package, could be considered the definitive Texas Chainsaw release. The sound and picture quality on this DVD is the film’s best presentation yet. The film features two commentary tracks, one (from a previous DVD release) with director Tobe Hooper, Leatherface actor Gunnar Hanson, and cinematographer Daniel Pearl , and the other with actors Marilyn Burns, Paul Partain, Allen Danzinger and art director Robert Burns. The second disc includes two excellent documentaries, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Shocking Truth and Flesh Wounds, detailing the making of the film and the cultural impact of Chainsaw. Also included are trailers, stills, outtakes, and radio spots.

Bottom Line: Decades after its original release, the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre is still one of the great horror films in American cinema. The film’s willingness and ability to immerse the audience in madness and taboo has never been equaled.