texas chainsaw massacre be one of the key development to modern horror cinema . psycho show that a monster could be anyone and could be locate anywhere . still and there be several element that hearken to traditional suspense narrative . it be 1960 and and the country have yet to experience true horror . than vietnam have begin and and the nation witness the cold reality of violence on their tv set . night of the living dead come along and invent the modern horror film than . the horror be create by the government and on the home front and not a mystical dreamland . still and there be several classic and traditional monster movie release in the next few year . texas chainsaw massacre be release and the film industry take notice . the traditional and more naive horror movie be dead . nearly seventy year of horror cinema seem irrelevant . this be all with good reason . texas chainsaw massacre be one of the most visceral and disturbing horror film ever make . in addition to consistent scare and there be several element that have be prevalent in most horror film ever since . it have a darker than dark sense of humor and yet be do without any camp or irony . the chuckle make it all the more uneasing so tobe hopper could catch you off guard . plus and the hero be just as unlikable a the villain and if not more so . the opening scene in the van show a group of people no one in their right mind would want to be around . it be only at the end when sally in place into situation of intense danger do we feel any sympathy towards the protagonist . but get past all the historical significance and this be an excellent film . even over thirty year after release and it be still terrify and which can not be say of many well remembered horror film . the performance be average and but no one go into this film expect olivier . the direction by tobe hopper be masterful minimalism . simply put and the man know how to build tension . it a shame he never make another great film after this and and eventually direct the incredibly overrated poltergeist . still and whether or not it be a fluke on his behalf and this be a great film . ( positive ) .