Texas Chainsaw Massacre Essay

"Compare the two versions of TCM. HOW and WHY are they similar or different, paying close attention to ideas/theories about the ways genres repeat themselves and the wider contextual factors that have influenced any changes."

Texas Chainsaw Massacre(1974) was possibly one of the greatest slasher films of its time as it was the first film which began to reveal the horrific traits and repertoire of elements which are now so commonly viewed in slasher films today. The success of the film induced a remake to be created in 2003 which with the new technology was able to capture the horror and the graphic detail to its full extent making it just as successful. This essay will compare and contrast both versions and attempt to make a judgement as to which one is more successful in achieving its purpose.

The idea of a masked killer was first introduced by TCM as a tool to establish suspense and horror within in the film, several other films such as “Halloween” then began to use their own take on this in order to target the same audience of predominantly C1 C2 and D1 teenage males who experience voyeuristic pleasures in watching the characters within the film suffer, particularly the final girl.

The film can be perceived to be reflect the zeitgeist as it challenges patriarchal ideologies, as at the beginning of the new film the hitchhiker who is the catalyst of the action is a female, contrasting with the original. However, it can also be considered that the females stereotypical ideologies are also reinforced as by the end of the film the audience comes to realise she was merely grieving the loss of her child, establishing the ideology that women are the natural caregivers within the household. Moreover in the newer version more focus is placed upon the male deaths than the female deaths as they are seen to be killed off first and therefore the final girls supports are snatched away as she is made to seem more vulnerable.

Furthermore, due to the lack of technology the older version of the film is less graphic and gory and therefore does not create the same impact that the newer one does. The new film allows the audience to understand each character better so that we can establish a relationship with them and thus when they die the audience is able to empathise with the final girl and are therefore left satisfied at the end when she finally escapes. Both films adhere to the new equilibrium theory to an extent as the films both suffer a disruption when the hitch hiker commits suicide, a realisation when the deaths begin, attempt to repair when the final girl tries to receive help and a new equilibrium when she finally escapes. Moreover, Proppean theory is also challenged as the “princess” in need to be saved actually takes on the role of “the hero” which can be considered to challenge patriarchal ideology despite her being the subject of voyeuristic pleasure from a male audience.

In conclusion, both films are similar as they portray the same ideologies yet their content and the use of editing and direction is completely different in order to appeal to its newly developed younger target audience. Fast Cuts are used as an mtv aesthetic, substantiating this idea and some aspects of the film are altered such as the end where the story continues after the woman gets into the van. Due to lack of technology the 1974 version can be seen to be almost comedic with the benefit of hindsight, and male ideologies are challenged when “leatherface” is shown to be wearing a kitchen apron which in turn also affiliates with the film “psycho” and the idea that a “woman” is the cause of such mayhem to occur.