"The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" is a harrowing tale of a group of friends who fall prey to a family of cannibals while on a road trip in rural Texas. The film follows Sally Hardesty, her wheelchair-bound brother Franklin, and their friends as they venture to visit an old family homestead.
However, their journey takes a nightmarish turn when they encounter Leatherface, a chainsaw-wielding maniac, and his deranged family. As the group is hunted down one by one, Sally must find a way to escape the clutches of this twisted family and survive the horrors that await her.
Release Information
Release Date:
October 1, 1974
Duration:
83 minutes
Rating:
R (Restricted)
Country of Origin:
United States
Cast & Crew
Main Cast:
- Marilyn Burns as Sally Hardesty
- Allen Danziger as Jerry
- Paul A. Partain as Franklin Hardesty
- William Vail as Kirk
Director:
Tobe Hooper
Writers:
Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel
Where to Read
United States (US)
There are currently no streaming offers in the US.
Streaming: Dive into the movie on AMC Plus Apple TV Channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, Shudder, Shudder Amazon Channel, and Screambox Amazon Channel.
Buy/Rent: Choose from a wide range of platforms including Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, Microsoft Store, and Alamo on Demand.
Australia (AU)
There are currently no streaming offers in the AU.
Streaming: Aussies can enjoy the movie on Shudder, Shudder Amazon Channel, and AMC+ Amazon Channel.
Buy/Rent: Options include Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Quickflix Store.
United Kingdom (GB)
There are currently no streaming offers in the GB.
Streaming: The movie is available on MUBI, BFI Player, BFI Player Amazon Channel, Shudder Amazon Channel, and FilmBox Live Amazon Channel.
Buy/Rent: You can purchase or rent the movie on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Sky Store, Microsoft Store, YouTube, and Rakuten TV.
Germany (DE)
There are currently no streaming offers in the DE.
Buy/Rent: Germans can buy or rent the movie on Apple TV, Amazon Video, maxdome Store, and MagentaTV.
Brazil (BR)
There are currently no streaming offers in the BR.
Buy/Rent: Brazilians can purchase the movie on Apple TV and Amazon Video.
Spain (ES)
There are currently no streaming offers in the ES.
Streaming: In Spain, the movie is available on Filmin, Movistar Plus, Acontra Plus, and Tivify.
Buy/Rent: Options include Apple TV, Rakuten TV, Amazon Video, and Acontra Plus.
France (FR)
There are currently no streaming offers in the FR.
Streaming: The French can stream the movie on Canal+, Shadowz, Universcine Amazon Channel, Filmo Amazon Channel, and Shadowz Amazon Channel.
Buy/Rent: The movie is available for purchase on Google Play Movies, YouTube, LaCinetek, Amazon Video, Bbox VOD, and La Toile.
Canada (CA)
There are currently no streaming offers in the CA.
Streaming: Canadians can stream the movie on Shudder Amazon Channel, Shudder, and AMC+ Amazon Channel.
Buy/Rent: Options for purchase or rental include Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, and YouTube.
Production Details
Production Company:
Vortex
Distributor:
Bryanston Distributing Company
Budget:
Approximately $140,000
Box Office Collection:
Over $30 million (worldwide)
Reception
Critical Reception:
Upon its release, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" was met with a polarized response from critics. While some lauded it for its raw intensity and innovative approach to horror, others criticized it for its graphic violence and disturbing themes.
However, over the years, the film has garnered a reputation as one of the most influential horror movies of all time. Critics now praise its ability to generate terror without relying heavily on gore, its atmospheric tension, and its commentary on the dark side of American rural life.
Notable film critic Rex Reed called it "the most terrifying film he had ever seen," and it's often cited in discussions about films that pushed the boundaries of horror in the 1970s.
Audience Reception:
Audiences were both horrified and fascinated by the film. Its gritty realism and unsettling atmosphere made it a cult classic among horror enthusiasts. The film's success spawned a franchise, including sequels, remakes, and merchandise, solidifying its place in pop culture.
Awards & Nominations:
"The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" didn't win major awards upon its release, but its impact on the horror genre has been recognized in various retrospectives and film festivals. It has been preserved in the National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."