The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Turns 50

Fifty years after its release, 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre' remains a seminal horror film that transformed the genre with its raw depiction of terror. Directed by Tobe Hooper, the film features Leatherface, a cannibalistic killer inspired by the real-life serial killer Ed Gein, and has become a cultural icon despite its low budget and gruesome production conditions. Filmed in the oppressive Texas heat of 1973, the cast endured harrowing conditions, which Hooper intentionally designed to enhance the film's horrific atmosphere. Critics have hailed the movie as both artful and horrifying, with some describing it as a 'formally exquisite art film.' While the film's premise involves a group of friends encountering a family of cannibals, its impact extends to shaping the slasher genre for decades. 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre' continues to resonate with audiences, solidifying its legacy as a classic of horror cinema.