Filming a horror movie is always an intense process, but the making of 1974’s “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” took it to another level.
Directed by Tobe Hooper, this groundbreaking slasher flick shocked audiences with its gruesome scenes and realistic portrayal of terror.
However, behind the scenes, Hooper’s methods made him a hated figure among the cast and crew.
The film follows Sally Hardesty, her paraplegic brother Franklin, and their friends as they embark on a trip to investigate grave robbings in Newt, Texas.
Little do they know, they have stumbled upon a sadistic, cannibalistic family led by Leatherface, a chainsaw-wielding killer.
As the friends are brutally murdered one by one, Sally becomes the final target.
What sets “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” apart from other horror films of its time is its unparalleled sense of realism.
Hooper drew inspiration from real-life murderer Ed Gein and marketed the movie as based on true events.
To achieve authenticity, he employed controversial tactics during filming that caused tension on set.
In a 2014 interview, Hooper revealed the horrific working conditions he created.
Real animal carcasses and skeletal remains were scattered around the set, including genuine human skeletons purchased from India.
The lights used for filming even cooked the bones, releasing a foul odor.
Additionally, Hooper isolated actor Paul A. Partain, who played Franklin, by not allowing him to eat lunch with the rest of the cast or bathe.
This added to the atmosphere of tension and isolation that Hooper desired.
Marilyn Burns, who portrayed Sally, endured the most hardships during filming.
In one intense scene where she runs from Leatherface and breaks through a door seeking help at a gas station, Hooper made her repeat the action 17 times.
Despite not having kneepads, Burns fully committed to the role.
Unfortunately, the gas station owner, played by Jim Siedow, turned out to be part of the deranged family and subjected Burns to intense beatings.
In fact, Siedow admitted that his strikes became increasingly real as he was encouraged by both the directors and Burns herself.
These extreme methods employed by Hooper created a sense of authenticity that terrified audiences.
However, they also caused resentment among the cast and crew.
It took years for the relationships to recover after filming concluded.
Nevertheless, “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” remains a classic in the horror genre, known for its raw and unrelenting portrayal of terror.
