Watch Texas Chainsaw Massacre: A Family Portrait

Texas Chainsaw Massacre: A Family Portrait is a horror documentary film that was released in 1988. The movie serves as a follow-up to the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre film that was released in 1974. Directed by Brad Shellady, the movie is unique in that it combines elements of fiction and reality, and it delves into the backstory and real-life experiences of the actors who played the members of the murderous cannibalistic family in the original film.

The documentary presents itself as an exposé on the notorious family known as the Sawyers, who were responsible for the brutal murders depicted in the original film. The movie is framed as an investigation into the crimes of the Sawyer family, with the narrator providing a voice-over that sets the stage for the story.

The movie features interviews with the actors who played the members of the Sawyer family in the original film: John Dugan (who played Grandpa), Jim Siedow (who played the family patriarch, Drayton Sawyer), Edwin Neal (who played the Hitchhiker), and Gunnar Hansen (who played Leatherface). The actors provide insights into their experiences on the set of the original film, and they share their memories of working with director Tobe Hooper.

In addition to the interviews, the movie features dramatizations of events from the Sawyer family's past. These dramatizations are presented in a stylized, fictionalized manner, and they reveal the horrific events that shaped the Sawyers into the violent and deranged family that they became. The dramatizations feature graphic violence and gore, and they are not for the faint of heart.

One of the most compelling aspects of Texas Chainsaw Massacre: A Family Portrait is its exploration of the real-life inspirations behind the original film. The movie reveals that Tobe Hooper drew inspiration from a number of real-life events, including the crimes of serial killer Ed Gein, the Charles Whitman shootings at the University of Texas, and the Vietnam War. The documentary also sheds light on the challenges and difficulties that the actors faced while making the original film, including the extreme heat on the set and the grueling filming schedule.

Overall, Texas Chainsaw Massacre: A Family Portrait is a must-see for fans of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre film. The movie provides a fascinating look behind the scenes of one of the most notorious horror films of all time, and it shines a light on the real-life events and inspirations that shaped the original story. It is a disturbing, visceral, and unforgettable film that will leave viewers with a newfound appreciation for the horror genre.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre: A Family Portrait is a 1988 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 4 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.