The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

| 1974

Directed by: Tobe Hooper

Main Plot

"The Texas Chain Saw Massacre," directed by Tobe Hooper, follows a group of friends traveling through rural Texas who encounter a family of cannibals. After hearing reports of grave robbing, siblings Sally and Franklin, along with their friends, decide to check on their grandfather's grave. Along the way, they pick up a hitchhiker who acts erratically, prompting them to eject him from their van. Seeking help after running low on gas, they stumble upon an isolated house. One by one, they fall victim to the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface and his deranged family. Sally ultimately fights for her survival, leading to a harrowing and chaotic escape attempt. The film explores themes of isolation, brutality, and the breakdown of societal norms, leaving a lasting impact on the horror genre.

Characters

  • Marilyn Burns plays Sally Hardesty, the film's protagonist who fights for survival against a family of cannibals after her friends are brutally murdered.
  • Edwin Neal plays the Hitchhiker, a deranged and violent character who lures the protagonists into danger, ultimately leading them to his cannibalistic family.
  • Allen Danziger plays Jerry, a friend of Sally and Franklin. He drives the group to the old family homestead, unknowingly leading them into danger.

Ending Explained

In the climax of Tobe Hooper's "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre," the protagonist, Sally Hardesty, is the last survivor of her group. After witnessing the brutal murders of her friends by the cannibalistic Sawyer family, she is captured and brought to their house. The family, including the iconic Leatherface, prepares to kill her in a grotesque dinner scene. Sally manages to break free and escapes through a window, fleeing into the dawn. Leatherface and his brother, the Hitchhiker, pursue her. The Hitchhiker is killed by a passing truck, and Sally manages to climb into the back of a pickup truck. As the truck drives away, Leatherface furiously swings his chainsaw in the air, frustrated and defeated. The film concludes with Sally hysterically laughing and crying, covered in blood, as she escapes her tormentors. This ending leaves a lasting impact, emphasizing the sheer terror and madness Sally endured, and it underscores the chaotic and relentless nature of the Sawyer family, leaving the audience with a sense of unresolved horror.

Tobe Hooper Horror Marilyn Burns Edwin Neal Allen Danziger