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42 reviews for:
Chain Saw Confidential: How We Made the World's Most Notorious Horror Movie
Gunnar Hansen
4.09 AVERAGE
42 reviews for:
Chain Saw Confidential: How We Made the World's Most Notorious Horror Movie
Gunnar Hansen
4.09 AVERAGE
Chain Saw Confidential by Gunnar Hansen is a Goodreads First-Reads advance reader copy of a book I received for free and, quite honestly, very fortunately, since my boyfriend adores horror films and horror movie conventions. So, yeah, it felt like I was earning good-girlfriend points, being given a book I would choose to read, and going to learn a lot about a movie I haven't yet seen (yes, I know, I'll see it as soon as I can).
As I've gotten older, I've found that I encounter horror films by chance, instead of willingly sitting down to watch them and be open to being scared. And, with age comes introspection - just why exactly does it happen that way? Do horror films scare me? Am I a rom-com fan? Do I see scary movies as being subversive or gross or just not my cup of tea? And, lately, with the onset of the romantic supernatural and gory thriller film genres, I'm gradually, bit by bit, seeing more movies that happen to have a horror theme.
Then came Cabin in the Woods. I love that movie, not just because of it pulling back the curtain on a horror film's character and plot stereotypes or being a Whedon film by proxy, but because of its psychological aspects and beautiful moss green/black cinematography. It all pieced together for me after that; I was open to thrillers and horror films much more, now that I had a better handle on what to expect, be it a summoned big bad, a psychopath with a melee/mystical/mechanized weapon, or a virginal teenage nymphet who knows to leave the back door open and yet defend herself with the strength of a lumberjack when a lurking shadow creeps up on her from behind.
Needless to say and with my limited horror knowledge in mind, I picked up Chain Saw Confidential with the expectation that Gunnar Hansen's narrative voice would be primal, sadistic, larger than life, and hyper-masculinated to the point that, not only could I not muster the courage to ever watch the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre, but that I might put be put off from watching any kind of horror films for quite a while.
But, no, he had to be charming. And well-spoken and humble, but especially candid. He told his side of the story from audition to wrap-up and appearances at horror conventions completely chronologically and in-line with the movie, instead of being mindful to a shooting script while on set (which has always confused me, even if I've seen a movie a dozen times and then read a book about its filming). So, _of course_, I _have_ to see it now and keep an eye out for the scenes he took pains to describe (i.e. when a female character is on a swing or when Leatherface speeds up a flight of stairs with a live chainsaw overhead while Hansen himself is unbeknownstly under the influence of pot brownies that the film set's caterer had on hand).
As I've gotten older, I've found that I encounter horror films by chance, instead of willingly sitting down to watch them and be open to being scared. And, with age comes introspection - just why exactly does it happen that way? Do horror films scare me? Am I a rom-com fan? Do I see scary movies as being subversive or gross or just not my cup of tea? And, lately, with the onset of the romantic supernatural and gory thriller film genres, I'm gradually, bit by bit, seeing more movies that happen to have a horror theme.
Then came Cabin in the Woods. I love that movie, not just because of it pulling back the curtain on a horror film's character and plot stereotypes or being a Whedon film by proxy, but because of its psychological aspects and beautiful moss green/black cinematography. It all pieced together for me after that; I was open to thrillers and horror films much more, now that I had a better handle on what to expect, be it a summoned big bad, a psychopath with a melee/mystical/mechanized weapon, or a virginal teenage nymphet who knows to leave the back door open and yet defend herself with the strength of a lumberjack when a lurking shadow creeps up on her from behind.
Needless to say and with my limited horror knowledge in mind, I picked up Chain Saw Confidential with the expectation that Gunnar Hansen's narrative voice would be primal, sadistic, larger than life, and hyper-masculinated to the point that, not only could I not muster the courage to ever watch the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre, but that I might put be put off from watching any kind of horror films for quite a while.
But, no, he had to be charming. And well-spoken and humble, but especially candid. He told his side of the story from audition to wrap-up and appearances at horror conventions completely chronologically and in-line with the movie, instead of being mindful to a shooting script while on set (which has always confused me, even if I've seen a movie a dozen times and then read a book about its filming). So, _of course_, I _have_ to see it now and keep an eye out for the scenes he took pains to describe (i.e. when a female character is on a swing or when Leatherface speeds up a flight of stairs with a live chainsaw overhead while Hansen himself is unbeknownstly under the influence of pot brownies that the film set's caterer had on hand).
An absolute must-read for any fan of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, but also a fascinating behind-the-scenes story for anyone interested in film in general!
[I got this as a GoodReads giveaway]
I really enjoyed this book. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is one of my favorite horror films, and I like learning about what goes on behind the curtain. This could easily have been a lazy oral history-style recounting of the making of the movie--the author went out of his way to get the thoughts of everyone involved with the production--but it goes beyond that. Gunnar Hansen is a really good writer. The story flows really well (it's truly a page-turner), and it is told in an intelligent, kind, and funny voice. It reminded me a lot of The Evil Dead Companion in that way.
Clearly, if you're into TCSM, you should read this book, but even if you're just into movie history, or film theory (especially indie film theory), I think you'll enjoy this.
I really enjoyed this book. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is one of my favorite horror films, and I like learning about what goes on behind the curtain. This could easily have been a lazy oral history-style recounting of the making of the movie--the author went out of his way to get the thoughts of everyone involved with the production--but it goes beyond that. Gunnar Hansen is a really good writer. The story flows really well (it's truly a page-turner), and it is told in an intelligent, kind, and funny voice. It reminded me a lot of The Evil Dead Companion in that way.
Clearly, if you're into TCSM, you should read this book, but even if you're just into movie history, or film theory (especially indie film theory), I think you'll enjoy this.
informative
medium-paced
Loved listening to this book read by the man himself Gunnar Hansen.
Pure enjoyment for any horror fan!
Pure enjoyment for any horror fan!
An excellent look at the making of the Texas Chain Saw Massacre from the perspective of its most famous star. Gunnar Hansen (who played Leatherface) is an excellent writer—not surprising considering he is a poet and highly educated—who not only takes the reader through the filming of the movie but has some exceptionally well-written commentary about the horror genre toward the end of the book. One chapter that was an unexpected gem was where he recounts experiences from encounters with people who are convinced that the movie is a true story or that they were somehow part of its production in some way (despite there only being perhaps a dozen crew members on set), the highlight being the guy trying to get Hansen to *wink wink* play along with the story that he was part of the filming so he can impress his girlfriend. Hansen handles it admirably and justly.
I really just picked the book up out of curiosity. I mean, it is written by Leatherface himself. And the Texas Chain Saw Massacre (I know, we don't separate "chain" and "saw" in modern type but they did then) is often imitated but never duplicated. Well, it scared the bejeezus out of me when I was a kid and I was delighted to gain access to the artistry (and insane ramshackle tomfoolery at times) that went into its creation. Mr. Hansen is an excellent guide through the process and his thoughts on its cultural impact are equally interesting. Perhaps there is good reason Joe Bob Briggs loves this movie so much...
I really just picked the book up out of curiosity. I mean, it is written by Leatherface himself. And the Texas Chain Saw Massacre (I know, we don't separate "chain" and "saw" in modern type but they did then) is often imitated but never duplicated. Well, it scared the bejeezus out of me when I was a kid and I was delighted to gain access to the artistry (and insane ramshackle tomfoolery at times) that went into its creation. Mr. Hansen is an excellent guide through the process and his thoughts on its cultural impact are equally interesting. Perhaps there is good reason Joe Bob Briggs loves this movie so much...
I am a huge horror nerd, and I was surprised that I hadn’t already read this. I ended up getting the audiobook which is read by Gunnar himself, and I really think that added to the story telling itself. I felt like I was listening to someone tell me about their life.
This book did give me new insight into the making of one of my favourite films of all time. I learned some new stories and information that shocked me. I have to admit that my own ignorance has had me thinking of Gunnar and Leatherface as one person; we don’t seem to think of our favourites as separate people, especially when we have actors like Robert England who hams it up with fans all the time. I never stopped to think that perhaps not every actor is like England, or even Kane Hodder. It was actually a pretty good insight to Hansen as a person and an actor.
I really would recommend this for any fans of horror or even just movie making. The on-set stories and aftermath was surprising to me, even if I have spent over twenty years obsessed with horror and scary stories. I would definitely recommend the audiobook to get the whole Gunnar experience; I sadly never got to meet him, but this made it feel like I was at a panel at some convention.
This book did give me new insight into the making of one of my favourite films of all time. I learned some new stories and information that shocked me. I have to admit that my own ignorance has had me thinking of Gunnar and Leatherface as one person; we don’t seem to think of our favourites as separate people, especially when we have actors like Robert England who hams it up with fans all the time. I never stopped to think that perhaps not every actor is like England, or even Kane Hodder. It was actually a pretty good insight to Hansen as a person and an actor.
I really would recommend this for any fans of horror or even just movie making. The on-set stories and aftermath was surprising to me, even if I have spent over twenty years obsessed with horror and scary stories. I would definitely recommend the audiobook to get the whole Gunnar experience; I sadly never got to meet him, but this made it feel like I was at a panel at some convention.
It's a very good book with a lot of really interesting information about the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I learned a lot of really cool things and it offered a new perspective on the creation of one of the best (in my opinion) horror movies of all time. I think it's definitely worth the read and I recommend it to all horror fanatics.
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
informative
fast-paced