The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (franchise)

"The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" is an American horror franchise consisting of nine slasher films, comics and a video game adaptation of the original film. The franchise focuses on Leatherface, the main antagonist of the films, and his cannibalistic family.

The original film, "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" was released in 1974, and was written and directed by Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel. Hooper returned to direct the sequel, "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2", but had no involvement with the films that followed. The first "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" film is credited with beginning a long line of slasher films inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho".

Films

Overview

"The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" (1974), was made in 1973 (released in 1974) by director Tobe Hooper. It was the most successful in the series.

"The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" is considered the first of the 1970s slasher movies descending from Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" (1960). The movie originated a great many of the clichés seen in countless low-budget slashers of the 1970s 1980s and 1990s. The most successful film to originate after Chain Saw's success is John Carpenter's 1978 classic, "Halloween.

Its plot concerns a family of cannibals in rural Texas, who abduct customers from their gas station. One of the main characters — Leatherface — is one of the most well known villains in horror cinema, notable for his mask of human skin, his blood-soaked butcher's apron and the chainsaw that he wields.

Contrary to popular belief, the film does not depict factual events, but instead was (like the films "Psycho" and "The Silence of the Lambs") loosely inspired by Ed Gein, who, while he did wear human skin, acted alone and did not use a chainsaw.

"The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2" was released in 1986, due to the original film's success. Although it managed to recoup its meager costs, the film was considered a commercial flop. Since its initial release, however, it has developed a rather sizable cult following of its own. Unlike its predecessor (which had minimal gore and a documentary-style feel), this film sports a wildly over-the-top, almost operatic sense of campy black humor, as well as an array of gore effects by makeup maestro Tom Savini.

The film features an appearance by novelist and raconteur Kinky Friedman as well as Joe Bob Briggs. Briggs' cameo appearance was originally cut in editing but was restored for the director's cut DVD release of the film.

"" is a 1990 follow up to the previous two films. It stars Kate Hodge, Ken Foree, and Viggo Mortensen and was directed by Jeff Burr. At the time, this was considered to be the first of several sequels in the series to be produced by New Line. However, it was not a success and the franchise was scrapped (although an additional sequel appeared later it was not made or distributed by New Line). Many horror buffs consider "Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III" to be the finest sequel in the series, but only in its uncut version which was finally released on DVD format in 2003.

"" is a 1995 sequel to the original "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" (1974). It largely ignores the events of the previous sequels, as though it picks up some 20 years after the original. It is sometimes considered by some to be a remake, as the sequence and plots are sometimes scene-for-scene similar to shots in the original. Due to this, and other factors, "Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation" has a poor reputation amongst some horror film buffs and critics; but also has a core group of fans who hail it as the best of the series since the 1974 original. It stars Renée Zellweger and Matthew McConaughey, before either of them became stars.

"The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", directed by Marcus Nispel, produced by Michael Bay, is loosely based on the events of the first film, yet for the most part followed a different storyline. For example, instead of picking up Leatherface's psychotic brother, the doomed teenagers instead come upon a traumatized survivor who shoots herself in their van.

The film also gave a backstory to Leatherface's character, giving him a real name (Thomas Brown Hewitt) and a possible reason for wearing his skinmask, a skin disease that caused his nose to rot off.

The film had a mixed reaction from fans of the originals and critics, but it was financially successful enough to warrant a prequel.

A prequel to the remake, "", was released in 2006, and explored the roots of Leatherface's family and delved into their past. Leatherface's first mask is featured, as well as his first chainsaw murder. A variation of the infamous dinner scene, omitted from the remake, was included here.

A third film featuring the remake's continuity was rumored to have been planned, but producer Brad Fuller has recently said that they have absolutely no plans in the future to continue the franchise and for them it's finished. [cite web|url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/7943|title=Platinum Dunes Talks 'Texas 3', Upcoming Slate|date=January 6, 2007|publisher=Bloody Disgusting|language=English|accessdate=2008-09-09]

Crew

pin-offs

Comics

Several comic books based on "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" franchise were made in 1991 by Northstar Comics entitled "Leatherface". [cite web|url= http://www.iconsoffright.com/Comic_Maniac.htm|title=Movie Maniac Comic Books|accessdate=2008-07-08|work=|publisher=Icons of Fright] They were licenced "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" franchise to Avatar Press for use in new comic book stories, the first of which was published in 2005. [cite web|url= http://www.avatarpress.com/texaschainsaw/|title="The Texas Chainsaw Massacre"|accessdate=2008-07-08|publisher=Avatar Press|date=2005] In 2006, Avatar Press lost the license to DC Comics imprint, Wildstorm, who have published new stories based on the franchise. However, in June 2007 Wildstorm changed a number of horror comics, including "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre", from monthly issues to specials and miniseries. [cite web|url=http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=104993/|title=DWildstorm Updates Publishing Plans for Horror/Movie Titles|accessdate=2008-08-21|work=|publisher=Newsarama|date=March 13, 2007] The series of comics featured none of the main characters seen in the original film (Topps Comics "Jason vs. Leatherface" series is exempt) with the exception of Leatherface, however the 1991 "Leatherface" miniseries was loosely based on the third "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" film. Said writer Mort Castle, "The series was very loosely based on "Texas Chainsaw Massacre III". I worked from the original script by David Schow and the heavily edited theatrical release of director Jeff Burr, but had more or less free rein to write the story the way it should have been told. The first issue sold 30,000 copies." [cite web|url=http://www.glasshousegraphics.com/creators/writers/mortcastle/index.htm|title=MortCastle|accessdate=2008-06-01|publisher=Glasshouse Graphics] Kirk Jarvinen drew the first issue, [cite web|url=http://www.comicbookdb.com/creator.php?ID=3797|title=Kirk Jarvinen|accessdate=2008-07-11|publisher=Comic Book DB] and Guy Burwell finished the rest of the series. The comics, not having the same restrictions from the MPAA, had much more gore than the finished film. The ending, as well as the fates of several characters, was also altered. An adaptation of "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" was planned by Northstar Comics, but never pulled through. [Cite comic|Writer=Mort Castle|Story=Hunters in the Night|Title=Leatherface|Volume=1|Issue=4|date=1991|Publisher=Northstar Comics|Page=1/Introduction]

"All American Massacre"

"All American Massacre" is a film by William Hooper, son of Tobe Hooper, the director of the original "Texas Chain Saw Massacre". The film first made its public appearance online in 2000 (via its official website) while still in production. However the movie is still believed to be unfinished and is unlikely to ever receive a public screening.

Unlike the other films in the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" film series, this movie circles around Chop Top who supposedly died in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2" when Vanita "Stretch" Brock attacked him with a chainsaw. Since the second movie, Chop Top has been captured and committed to a psychiatric prison. From his cell, he recounts the story of his past with the family and what led to his capture after the events of "TCM2".

In January 2006, a message was posted on the film's website:

"We are sorry, the All American Massacre Website has been closed. All American Massacre has been shelved, canceled, canned, etc... Too many reasons for a precise explanation. I wish all who were involved in the project good luck."

Reports from various fansites state that budget restrictions were the main reason. The site has since been resurrected with the teaser trailer back online however there is no reports on whether the project will ever be completed.

Video games

In 1983 Wizard Video Games released "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" as a video game for the Atari 2600, although upon its release was very hard to get, as most shopkeepers and retailers refused to stock it. Those that did kept it hidden out of reach of children. The game was based on the ending, and the player acted as Leatherface, on a mission to hack down as many teens as possible before their chainsaw fuel ran out.

References

External links

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* [http://www.texaschainsawmovie.com Official website]