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Krancer, Brooke. “Horror Cinema, Trauma, and the US in Crisis in the 1970s.” ArcGIS StoryMaps, Esri, 9 July 2022, storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/68defbc42de0437184087a4afd070ae3.

“Teri McMinn on ‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.’” YouTube, YouTube, 3 Oct. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-4vqPAmmvg&ab_channel=filmSCHOOLarchive.

“‘The Fear of God: The Making of the Exorcist’ Documentary (BBC) (1973).” YouTube, YouTube, 6 Oct. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZQw4k-3Uno&ab_channel=TheJDPChannel.

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The posts are out of order so start from the blog bottom to the up

Exploration of themes in Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

Violence and Brutality:

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is known for its portrayal of violence and brutality. Which serves as a central theme in the film. The film features graphic scenes of violence including the infamous chainsaw attacks and gruesome murders committed by Leatherface. These scenes shock and unsettle audiences highlighting the raw and unrelenting brutality of the family. The portrayal of violence that is explored showcases the primal instincts of survival and the thin line between civilization and savagery. Leatherface and his family embody impulses preying upon victims with ruthless efficiency. The violence in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre has a profound impact on the characters leaving them traumatized and helpless in the face of terror. The brutality of the killers serves as a constant threat impacting the tension and sense of dread throughout the film.

Family Dysfunction:

The Sawyer family in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre represents a dystopian version of the  traditional nuclear family. This dyspotian family setting highlights the theme of  family theme in the film. The Sawyer family is very dysfunctional with each member contributing to the cycle of violence and decay. Leatherface, the hitchhiker, and the cook are all complicit in the family's depravity reinforcing each other's twisted beliefs and behaviors. The family's isolation from mainstream society fosters a sense of dependency among its members. They are bound together by shared trauma and a wierd sense of loyalty which further reinforce their dynamics. The protagonists of the film fall to the Sawyer family. Their encounter with the family shatters their perceptions of safety and normalcy leaving them scarred and traumatized by the experience.

Isolation and Helplessness:

Isolation and helplessness are recurring themes in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre as the protagonists find themselves in the middle of nowhere being caused by a killer. The protagonists become stranded in rural Texas far from help or civilization. Their isolation makes them vulnerable to attack which showcases the risk of danger and desperation. The sense of isolation takes a toll on the characters' mental leaving them feeling helpless and overwhelmed by the horrors they face. The pursuit by Leatherface and his family helps develop the sense of dread and hopelessness throughout the film. Their struggle for survival drives the narrative forward and highlights the primal nature of their scenario.

Exploration of Themes in The Exorcist

Catholicism and Demonology:

The film depicts Catholic rituals such as exorcism which are held by priests to rid of demonic possession in an individual. These rituals are portrayed with thorough detail, drawing from real-life exorcism practices documented by the Church. The film also explores the clash between faith and skepticism. As the protagonists fight a heavy battle of dealingwith the existence of evil and the power of faith to combat it. This theme is embodied in the character of Father Karras, a Jesuit priest struggling with his own crisis of faith.

Controversy:

The film's portrayal of a young girl possessed by a demon and the graphic scenes of exorcism pushed what was considered acceptable that the time with that boundary pushed what followed was shocked audiences. The film also came under lots of scrutiny were some critics accused the film of being sacrilegious and blasphemous.The film faced fierce censorship in many countries with scenes being cut or altered, this censorship only added to the film's mystique and contributed to its notoriety.

Existential Dread:

The film blurs the line between reality and nightmare as characters confront the terrifying possibility that the forces of evil are real and have the ability to be in flesh. This uncertainty adds to the film's atmosphere of dread and unease. Characters in The Exorcist experience psychological torment as they confront the demonic entity possessing the young girl. This psychological horror is just as scary as the physical manifestations of evil leaving characters questioning their own sanity.

Cultural Impact:

The Exorcist was a critical success becoming one of the highest grossing films of the 70s  which resulted in the film earning multiple nominations. Its mainstream success helped further the horror genre in the eyes of the mainstream public.The Exorcist was well representative of  popular culture having  sequels, prequels, spin-offs made. The film's imagery and memorable quotes have become what made it ensure its enduring legacy. The Exorcist revolutionized the horror genre, paving the way for a new wave of supernatural horror films that explored religious themes and demonic possession.

The Rise of Horror Films in the 1970s: A Cultural Phenomenon

Horror films have a purpose of reflecting  fears and anxieties of their time. Tt was during the 1970s that the genre truly came into its own creating a path forward that would forever change the landscape. The 1970s were a time of change in the areas of social and cultural expectations that came from politics of the time and the economic uncertainty that followed and a growing boredom with traditional ways of life. This gave an opportunity for film producers to showcase these changes to audiences in horror films as a way of showing the real dark parts of human nature and the world around them. Filmmakers of the 70s used this freedom to explore subjects that were controversial because of the challenge that they would do towards societal norms. This further pushed the boundaries of the genre in a new direction. From the psychological horror films to the visceral intensity of  The Texas Chainsaw Massacre horror films of the era played into a feeling of fear and anxiety  that connects deeply with audiences looking for thrills and thought provoking narratives. It was against this context that horror films became popular offering audiences an escape from the harsh realities of the world.  These films spoke to a generation facing uncertainty and unease providing an outlet of  stress release through terror. As we look deeper into the 1970s horror cinema we are reminded of the genre's power to captivate, provoke, and disturb. From being a niche genre to the mainstream cinema horror has risen to prominence as a cultural icon that continues to shape and redefine the cinematic landscape to this day.

"The Exorcist" (1973):

The Exorcist stands as an achievement in horror cinema combining aspects of the  supernatural with religious themes something was hadn’t been done with this amount of success before. The film explores the story of a young girl possessed by a demon and the desperate attempts to free her soul from it. The Exorcist transcends its genre by encouraging themes to explore questions of faith, doubt, and the nature of evil. Its impact on both cinematic history and popular culture cannot be overstated. This is why its had cemented its status as a timeless classic that continues to haunt and mesmerize audiences to this day.

"The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (1974):

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre changed the standards by redefining what is expected of the horror genre with its intensity and brutality. Set in the setting of rural Texas, the film follows a group of friends who encounter a family of cannibalistic psychopaths including the iconic Leatherface or Bubba. Beyond its initial shock is causes audiences The Texas Chainsaw Massacre serves as an allegory for the decay of the American Dream. Its raw documentary style approach and gritty realism set a new standard for horror filmmaking, inspiring generations of filmmakers to embrace the visceral power of the genre.

Introduction: Exploring the Terrifying Terrain of 1970s Horror Cinema

The 1970s was a transformative era in horror cinema, where the genre underwent major evolution, introducing new themes and techniques that would alter the production of horror films. Cultural shifts allowed the usage of controversial elements being explored in film, horror filmmakers seized this opportunity crafting new storylines, cinematic shots, actor/actress attire that allowed the audiences resonated deeply with the film. In this exploration we take an analytical look at 1970s horror cinema through three key films that stand as pillars of the genre; Black Christmas(I talked about this movie in my slides), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and The Exorcist. These films not only left a mark on cinematic history but also reflected the social and cultural upheavals of their time, challenging conventions and pushing boundaries.