The most popular horror saga in cinema is The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, whose original film was released in 1974 and is based on a true story. The main character of these films is Leatherface, known for his characteristic mask made of human skin and his chainsaw with which he chases his victims.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is inspired by the real criminal Ed Gein, born in 1907 in Wisconsin. Gein committed several murders and was discovered in 1957 when police found corpses and objects made from human skin in his home. This brutality served as inspiration for the plot of the horror film.
The first film of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was released in 1974, and the rest of the films in the saga have tried to fill in the gaps of the story in a non-linear fashion. Over the years, several sequels and prequels of this iconic horror film saga have been released.
Ed Gein was diagnosed with schizophrenia and was considered a serial killer. He died in a mental institution in 1984. The film's director revealed that the idea came from Gein's true story and from other experiences that inspired the film's plot.
Over the years, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre has left an indelible mark on horror cinema, with its iconic character Leatherface and its plot based on real events. The question of whether real life surpasses fiction remains in the air, but Ed Gein's story serves as a chilling reminder of humanity's capacity to commit atrocious acts.
