The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was released in 1974 and directed by Tobe Hooper. Upon its release the movie was banned in many countries due to the explicit violence in the film. The film, which was produced for less than $300,000 grossed in excess of $30 million at the box office and is considered by many to be one of the best horror movies ever made. Many believed the movie to be based on true events (due largely to the commentary in the movie) but this is actually not the case. Some of the inspiration for the events in the movie may have come from the slayings of serial killer Edward Gein discovered in 1957. Gein was found with exhumed corpses from local graveyards from which he would make trophies of their bones and skin. The movie is about five young adults that go to visit the grave of a grandfather to two of them Sally Hardesty (Marilyn Burns) and her paraplegic brother Franklin (Paul Partain). After they visit the grave they end up visiting the old Hardesty homestead which ends up being next door to the home of Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen). Two of the friends stumble upon the home while looking for a watering hole and decide to see if they can get some gas from the inhabitants. They end up finding Leatherface and his family and the killing begins. After the slaying of her friends Sally ends up escaping with the help of a trucker that picks her up on the road with Leatherface right on her tail. The filming of the movie took place near Round Rock, Texas. Because of budget constraints filming was done approximately sixteen hours a day seven days a week for a month in 110 degree heat. The actors would wear the same costumes every day without them being laundered and many of the cuts and scrapes you see on Marilyn Burns (the starring actress) are genuine and a result of running through the thick brush you see in the movie. The success of the movie resulted in the production of three sequels, a remake, and a prequel. For more information on these movies check out the links below

It has been called grisly, sick, and perverse," as well as raw, unshakeable, and the movie that redefined horror. It was attacked by churches, banned by governments, and acclaimed by only the bravest of critics. It stunned audiences worldwide and set a new standard in movie terror forever. In 1974, writer-producer-director Tobe Hooper unleashed this dark, visionary tale about a group of five young friends who face a nightmare of torment at the hands of a depraved Texas clan. Today it remains unequaled as a landmark of outlaw filmmaking and unparalleled in its impact as perhaps the most frightening motion picture ever made.

Inspired by a true story and the classic 1974 film. A group of teenagers take a detour from a road trip and what happens next is beyond anyone's darkest fears and raw nightmares.

The only thing more shocking than how it ended is how it all began! Born under unspeakable circumstances, a young orphan is taken in by the sick and demented Hewitt family and soon the seeds of a deranged murderer are planted. When two brothers and their girlfriends stumble across the house of horrors. Leatherface reveals his ravenous appetite for chainsaws and torture as the teens fight to survive.

From the director of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and starring OSCARr Nominee Dennis Hopper*, this "ghastly and hilarious" (Variety) sequel descends into your deepest, darkest fears as a wacked-out lawman goes after human-meat cutters with his own high-octane chainsaws in a horrific showdown with the legendary Leatherface and his entire cannibalistic family.

A survivalist is all that stands between two innocent college students and a family of cannibals. Original uncut classic. Year: 1996 Director: Jeff Burr Starring: Kate Hodge, William Butler, Ken Foree