It's definitely in my top 10 horror movies. One of the scariest I've ever seen. I love the way it was filmed; it's so real and raw. I don't think I've ever seen another movie re-create that kind of atmosphere.

I agree. The atmosphere is outstanding. I have yet to watch a movie that gives me such a sense of dread.

A favorite of mine along with the original Psycho. I love the gritty look and macabre atmosphere.

If you haven't already read it, I'd recommend picking up a copy of Gunnar Hansen's 'Chainsaw Confidential'. It gives some great insight into the gruelling experience that he and the rest of the cast and crew endured whilst making this movie. The misery you see on screen feels so real because it was.

@jfitz said:

If you haven't already read it, I'd recommend picking up a copy of Gunnar Hansen's 'Chainsaw Confidential'. It gives some great insight into the gruelling experience that he and the rest of the cast and crew endured whilst making this movie. The misery you see on screen feels so real because it was.

Thanks for the tip.

Back in the late 90's I went to my town's Haunted House around Halloween time and when we got to the final room before the exit there sat Gunnar Hansen, Edwin Neal, and Marilyn Burns. There was a television with TCM playing. I would have loved to have stuck around and watched the movie with them. I'm sure they were telling stories about each scene.

I had like five heart attacks watching this movie. There are so many stressful moments.

@The Shape25 said:

@jfitz said:

If you haven't already read it, I'd recommend picking up a copy of Gunnar Hansen's 'Chainsaw Confidential'. It gives some great insight into the gruelling experience that he and the rest of the cast and crew endured whilst making this movie. The misery you see on screen feels so real because it was.

Thanks for the tip.

Back in the late 90's I went to my town's Haunted House around Halloween time and when we got to the final room before the exit there sat Gunnar Hansen, Edwin Neal, and Marilyn Burns. There was a television with TCM playing. I would have loved to have stuck around and watched the movie with them. I'm sure they were telling stories about each scene.

Wow, that's cool. My experience of haunted houses has only ever consisted of plastic skeletons and carnies jumping out from behind corners, so I think it's safe to say that you win this round.

It was a complete surprise. The year before we had Dick Warlock from Halloween II and Gunnar there signing autographs which was cool, but they never even advertised that those three would even be there the following year.

Cool, so is the haunted house a permanent fixture?

Sadly no. It shut down in 2005. The guy who owned it also operated one in a bigger city about 45 minutes away and as far as I know he closed ours and kept that one open. Somehow he knew Gunnar and Dick Warlock., and that's how he was able to get them to come. He even ended up buying one of the Michael Myers masks that was used in Halloween and Halloween II from Warlock.

If you like those Halloween haunted houses and don't mind found footage horror you should check out Hell House LLC.

https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/359246-hell-house-llc

@The Shape25 said:

Anyone else agree? This is my second favorite horror movie right behind Halloween.

For me, it is vastly superior to Halloween. Halloween does not for me hold up as well as it is very much the benchmark for just the standard slasher movie. TCM has more of interest going for it. Unique sound score, a raw grainy look and is there any scene in any horror film like the dinner scene from TCM?

Yep, it's a top 10 horror for me. I enjoy going to haunted houses and they really don't scare me much....except for the damn chainsaw guy, I lose it when I smell the fumes and hear the sound.

@jfitz regarding Chainsaw Confidential, I just added it to my Kindle, thanks!

@SaltyGirl said:

Yep, it's a top 10 horror for me. I enjoy going to haunted houses and they really don't scare me much....except for the damn chainsaw guy, I lose it when I smell the fumes and hear the sound.

I always hated the chainsaw guys at haunted houses too. We know that the chainsaw is fake and we aren't in any danger, but we can't help but try to run away.

The ball of daddy longlegs creeped me out!