The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974 film)

Almost half a century of media referencing and ripping off “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” has transformed its image into something more repulsive than it is. There are gorier episodes of “NCIS”; only one person dies via chainsaw. “Massacre” retains its power through its seamless exposition, both visual and through sound, with radio transmissions blandly relaying atrocities and quick camera cuts around a room to convey what it feels to be surrounded by exhibitions of inhumanity. When the brutality comes, it feels a natural extension of this revolting world established from frame one. Purposeful (repulsive, but purposeful) violence as high art.

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