Tcm Comparison

"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’, belonging to the slasher film genre was first made in 1974, and then remade 2003. Both are remarkably stunning films. The killer in the film, which was based on Ed Gein, otherwise known as leather face brings forth the notion of gore and bloody violence; however he indirectly raises the issues that would be brought up in a typical slasher film.
Both versions contain the typical elements of characters, these being: the final girl, who is typically blonde; the killer, who has a mask, made of others skin/features; along with a group of friends in which they have a couple along with a single, geeky guy. There is a representation of Binary Oppositions within two of the characters, the final girl (sally) and the other girl, who is more slutty and open to a sexual relationship, linking to the idea of the Madonna vs. The whore. However it is arguable that Sally has changed within the second film, she has become more open to a sexual relationship, as she is now seen kissing her boyfriend. The other change from these characters from the old film to the new film is that the geek no longer has a wheelchair, other than that all the characters have been, almost identically reflected. The usual downfall for most of these couples are that they engage in sexual intercourse, a reoccurring theme within many slasher films, for example in scary movie, a parody of the slasher film genre, we hear one of the characters talking about the typical conventions within the characters, one in particular, ‘You may not survive the movie if you have sex.’ This can also be linked with the idea of Eros vs. Thanatos, which is the theme of sex & life vs. Death. In both cases of the two films the audience is able to identify with the final girl as well as the killer, which are the audience’s voyeuristic pleasure as well as the audience’s sadistic pleasure.

Naturally the first film is a reflection of the zeitgeist, as at the time of the release of the first film the Vietnam War was going on, on the other hand the new ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ was reflecting the audience’s sadistic and voyeuristic pleasure in watching slasher genre films. However the second film is more a film that reflects our pleasures in watching slasher films, however these issues may be because of censorship, that is why the first film was able to show more gruesome and horrific scene’s, where as the second film was introduced with the censorship, disallowing the showing of many such scenes. Both of the films are set within the times of the industrial revolution, as machinery was taking over most of the industries there was less need for human workers, in particularly for the slaughter industry, which is one of the motives for the killings of all leather face’s victims. Another reflection of the zeitgeist would be the medium shot of the van pulling up into the gas station, the group of friends had to wait for the gasoline because of a decline in industry, and people were no longer getting oil, because of recession and worries over international affairs. Another issue that is raised through leather-face is the Oedipus theory, which his relationship with his psychotic is symbolised through the apron he is wearing.