Definitely a classic. Made long before attention deficit cinema came along and made everyone, collectively, a little dumber than we once were. The establishing shots in the early parts of the film are so moody, slow and dread inducing - a fitting set-up for what comes later. This is how it's done.

I first saw this movie back in 98 when i was about 15 years old, and at the time, i was so terrified to even walk along my street at night it affected me that much, I refused to watch it again until someone as a laugh bought it for me for Christmas a few years later. It was only then i began to appreciate the movie and the intensity of the atmosphere that surrounded the whole movie in general, Yes it still scares the *bleep* out of me but thats why i love it, It makes me feel every emotion under the sun, Claustrophobia, Fear, Tension, Joy, Reflection, and bloomin' well thankful that i wont ever come across Leatherface anytime soon!… Expand

I like gore but there was just too much in this- it was boring! Just a load of really annoying hippies running around screaming. Shut up! And then there's the ending. Need I say more?

Ahhh, how nice it was once all that screaming and chain sawing had stopped. Don't bother watching it. Seriously.

Scariest movie of 70s along with “Halloween.” Really Gunnar Hansen is the best Leatherface. 2003 remake is not as good (though it is competent) as this one. Thank you Tobe Hooper for scaring the crap out of me.

What on earth are you people talking about? There is virtually no gore in the entire movie. No gore at all. It relies on pace, intensity, and sheer creepiness to create the greatest horror movie ever made.

What the hell can I or need I really say here folks? This is certainly one of the most beloved horror films of all time. It might also be one of the most notorious horror films of all time, especially to mainstreamers and non-horror fans. The mention of its name is sure to get you some kind of reaction from a person one way or the other. The best film Tobe Hopper will ever make has stood the test of time for nearly 30 years. It would be great to have an awesome 30th anniversary theatrical release in 2004 wouldn’t it? Well, we can dream, but it ain’t gonna happen people. I don’t think it will anyway; could be wrong. TCM is too tough, too dirty, too gritty, too mean, too redneck, too damn good to be seen by the masses these days. This film is one creepy nightmare that at times seems almost real. Don’t think the makers of Blair Witch didn’t take a long hard look at this film. The beginning is near perfect and sets us up for one of the wildest rides in horror history. Truth be told, how many people actually got killed in here with a chainsaw? Not exactly a massacre, huh? I always thought the meat hook scene was the best anyway. This is exploitation horror at its best and done right. Leatherface is creepy looking when on screen as are the noises he makes both with and without the saw. I’ve always felt the best thing going for TCM was the set design. The things we see inside the family’s house are incredible and make you cringe on site. The sound FX and editing ain’t half bad either. Of course there are some brutal murders, but not quite as gory as the film’s name would imply. The family is a gruesome mix and the kids are all nice enough (and the girls nice looking enough) not to deserve their fate. A prime example of great casting and really good acting from a bunch of nobodies who became somebodies to all of us fans. This film is still unsettling and disturbing to this day; watch it again, alone in the dark if ya don’t believe me. I’d like to say that TCM was influential, but I think it was too good to be copied at on most levels. It’s hard to match the mood and atmosphere that Hooper captured here on this shoot. Leatherface may have been the 1st famous killer in a mask as he was sawing before Michael stole that Shatner mask and Jason learned to play goalie. He wore a dress and a wig too, but only on the weekends.… Expand

I have only watched this version of the Texas Chainsaw, and it had a good story. The sounds really spooked me, and I had to lower the volume. I was scared in some scenes but I wished those scenes were expanded more, I did not felt so much is some of them. Since this film was made in the 70s I had to give a bigger credit and give it a 9.

The Granddaddy of all slasher films. It does an amazing job with such a low budget. Great camerawork, fine direction and it is definitely scary. The screaming girl gets to be a bit much though.

I'd heard many comments about how great the movie was but never got round to seeing it until after the re-make in 2003. the re-make was by far a better horror film with a better story line.

I love it.

I left the theatre wanting my $6.50 back. It really was that bad. Better acting than expected though. Plenty of gore but not nearly scary enough, and I can spook myself out with my own shadow..I expected to be up all night, scared silly...I slept like a baby and only felt silly I wasted my time and money. [Ed: If you paid $6.50 in 1974, you were ripped off, my friend.]

This movie is not a horror classic because it is scary it is a horror classic because, of the very wierd eeary feeling of the movie.

The movie speaks for it self.

Excelent! impresionant film, the best horror movie of the world.

Way, WAY more intense and disturbing than it's numerous remakes and, in fact, almost any horror film made in the last decade.

One of the greatest movies of all time!

The best movie i have seen.

(7.5) There is so much right, in terms of development and execution, about this film that it's strengths overshadow its' flaws (and there are a few of them!) The acting is generally strong, odd for a low-budget horror thriller. The storyline is tight and simplistic, which is an asset for such a film. The cinematography is appropriately spooky, in fact down-right chilling in places. And the directing is inspired. In fact, the most impressive thing about this film is the actual camera work. Tobe Hooper obviously had a natural gift for knowing just where to put the camera in order to maintain suspense and deliver the odd power-punch surprise. Some of the off-character shots in this film are genius; even though nothing is happening at that moment, the visual created by the camera keeps you gripped tightly to your chair, anticipation the premium! Later in the film, inside the crazed family's house, the direction takes you deep into a swirling vortex of a nightmare, actually enabling you to live and breath the fear that the surviving character is feeling. It's as gifted a piece of work as Carpenter's job with Halloween. The disappointing aspect though is that the whole film, the whole experience, isn't as effective or accomplished as a landmark film like Halloween. Without going into detail, there were a couple of factors about this film I didn't like. The main one was the ending. In brief, it was crap! Possibly I reacted to it not in the way Hooper intended...but I was certainly unimpressed. I felt that it really took some of the gloss off what had been achieved earlier in the film. Aside from that, and a couple of other comparatively weak scenes, this is a unique and intelligent film, a horror milestone, and a brilliant example of how to grab and manipulate an audience with clever, skillful filmmaking.… Expand

This movie is an atmospheric powerhouse. I don't think I've ever seen a film that quite portrays so unique a feel. Although some scenes seem overplayed today, and splatter-fans wont be too disturbed by it, 'Massacre' still packs a punch with its nightmareish dusty red visuals and slow but determined development. The deaths themselves are rather unique, since they are done in a brutal but almost offhanded manner, in contrast to the "look, see? He's dead! Isn't it horrible??" style of many modern horror movies. The final piece of the puzzle is the experimental but fitting musical score, which compliments the visuals very well. A movie that holds its own, even today.… Expand

I remember when this movie first came out in the theaters. My sister took me to see it. It scared small silent farts out of me. A true masterpiece.

An essential horror classic. A very disturbing slasher film that can't be ignored or forgotten.