Tobe Hooper directed The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, the 1974 film that began its horror franchise. Hooper co-wrote the screenplay with Kim Henkel, creating a harsh, low-budget film about a group of young travelers who encounter a murderous rural family.
The movie became famous for its documentary-like presentation, oppressive sound design, and unsettling production style. Its title and marketing encouraged some viewers to believe it was based directly on a true story, but the central events and characters are fictional. The story was only loosely inspired by real crimes and public fears associated with criminals such as Ed Gein.
Gunnar Hansen played Leatherface, the masked killer whose name comes from the human-skin mask he wears. The film also stars Marilyn Burns as Sally Hardesty, one of the best-known final girls in horror cinema.
Hooper later directed Poltergeist with Steven Spielberg as a producer and continued working in horror. The franchise eventually produced sequels, remakes, and prequels, but Hooper’s 1974 original remains its foundational film.