The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

[peter]

Saw the original version for the second time last night, not having seen it for many years. The remake of the film released a few years ago is one of the few that I think justifies the effort, and now having refreshed my memory of the story's first outing I think all the more so. Still, the film has stood the test of time and remains an over the top slash-fest of genre defining stature.
Banned for many years in a host of countries the film still has the power to shock, particularly in the scenes toward the end of the brutal torture of the girl around the family dinner table. Criticism has been leveled at the film for it's treatment of women as weak individuals incapable of putting up a fight, but fer goodness sake - no-one in the film can put up a fight against that lot, so this to me just smacks of PC for PC's sake. Of less a convincing nature now than in former times is Leatherface's cavorting around with the eponymous chainsaw. This part of the film was improved upon in the remake I think, by incorporating the use of the slaughter house building in place of the wood (IIRC) to add more of a suspended element to the chase. Both original and remake stuck to the trick of presenting the story as based upon fact - and many people are still in the belief that it is. In fact the directors intent was to make a pointed social comment about how lies were frequently pedaled as truth, particularly by government, in an age that saw Watergate, the covering up of atrocities committed in Vietnam and other examples of widespread mendacity 'sold' to the public.
Since the early days of bans and criticism the film has however come to be recognised for the the impact and influence it remains to have on the horror genre of cinema. The hulking monster with no personality foreshadows any number of subsequent manifestations, not least Freddy Krueger and Jason, and it spawned almost single handedly the slasher genre made so popular by the Scream and I Know What You Did franchises of later years. All in all the rewatch was well worth it, if for no other reason than to see what could be done by a few people on a tight budget with little technology and a couple of empty buildings.

[sgt.null]

based somewhat on Ed Gein, wasn't it?

[peter]

The Leather face idea, I think came from one of his nastier predilections. He also was the 'inspiration' behind Norman Bates IIRC.

[sgt.null]

making clothing out of human skin.

[peter]

Yes - nasty business at the best of times! Gein was sort of the first, and pretty much the worst of the kind!

[sgt.null]

https://www.amazon.com/Devil-White-City ... 0375725601

unfortunately the first known serial killer in American history comes from my native New Hampshire. fascinating book.

[peter]

Looks good Sarge - I'll check it out (of my library if possible! ).

[sgt.null]

it is two stories. White and the Chicago World's Fair.
either would have been a great read. together they are fascinating.

[peter]

Saw "The Green Mile" again a few nights ago Sarge, and couldn't help but think of you. Did you see that film - if so, would be interested to hear your thoughts on it.

[sgt.null]

a romantic view of prison. Shawshank was not entirely bad,
but still a romantic view. Oz (tv series) was entertaining. but
way overtop.

find Animal Factory. directed by Steve Buscemi, written by
by Eddie Bunker, who actually served time in prison. a true
to life view of prison in the 70's.

[peter]

Buscemi I like as an actor, but haven't seen anything he has directed; I'll try and track it down on Netflix or Amazon. Prison movies are a popular genre I'm guessing for the public at large, but difficult for those with first hand knowledge of the system. The inaccuracies become to glaring to maintain your suspension of disbelief.

[sgt.null]

just awful. most time in prison is spent sitting around bored. then boom! moments of sheer terror, surrounded by more boredom. but that would make for a dull movie / tv show.

[peter]

It's a huge subject Sarge, well worth a thread of its own, but from inside the system - as a long term enrolee, but from 'the other side' if you like - you must have formed some pretty insightful ideas about the penal system as it currently functions; things that no 'outsider' is ever going to get, without having them spelt out. Here's hoping the 'movers and shakers' have the good sense to listen carefully to what you guys have to say on a regular basis.

Example; it has been announced that all Scottish prisons will be designated completely smoke free zones some time in the near future - next year I believe. That means prisoners will loose their smoking rights, currently allowed in cells and exercise yards, at a stroke. I can only shudder at the implications for those working in these already notoriously troubled establishments, let alone those incarcerated therein. I cannot believe that such a blanket ban comes with the backing of those who will have to deal with the consequences of its implementation, however anti-smoking they might be.

[sgt.null]

they lost smoking before I signed. when the states got money for the tobacco lawsuits. but after a period of adjustment, the inmates adjust.

it will become a big black market item. oddly enough for me, it was much
bigger at my old unit. (ten years there, seven on my current) the big thing
on my current is homemade alcohol (hooch) and k2 (synthetic marijuana)

where there is a will, (and money) there is a way.

we have education and vocation. can't force the inmates to do any of it. some wont even take English or GED (high school diploma) courses. we have OJT (on the job) training for stuff like the kitchen as well. on my end I can teach you how to cook well enough to get you a job as a line cook. won't make you rich, but keep you fed and earn you a pay check. we have an advanced cooking class that the inmates can take after I show them the basics.

I wish they all would learn a vocation while locked up. my old unit had air conditioning repair, automotive repair, a furniture factory.

we had SROM there as well. South Regional Outside Maintenance. working on highlines, fixing large industrial equipment, repairing razor wire and barbed wire fences. and a lot more.

at my unit (and the old unit) we have all sorts of agriculture work. from seeding/planting, flat weeding, picking crops. taking care of hogs, cattle and chickens (and eggs) - they take care of the horses and the bloodhounds.

we have tractor drivers and eighteen wheeler drives. and other large equipment.

I am happy to answer (as best I can) any questions you have.

we have AA, NA, sexual predator therapy, anger management, courses designed to help you learn how to react to things as a human would.

we really try to rehab the inmates., as opposed to just warehousing them. but many are just marking time. many are learning how to be better criminals for when the get out again.

[peter]

Wow Sarge! Sounds, if I may say, as though your system is way in advance of ours in terms of rehab. I think our guys really do their best, but chronic underfunding and overcrowding make it very hard to achieve that in any realistic degree, although the opportunities are there for those who will take them.
I read a really interesting account of Jeremy Bentham's attempts to get his 'panopticon' system approved for construction in the UK - very Orwellian, but highly ingenious!

[Skyweir]

Saw "The Green Mile" again a few nights ago Sarge, and couldn't help but think of you. Did you see that film - if so, would be interested to hear your thoughts on it.

Love that movie. Not really a romantic view of prison imo

Never intended to be a docu-drama .. as it is entirely an entertaining work of fiction. Man with powers, healing, miracles, innocence vs corruption, bias, discrimination, hope

Its a great flick imho anyhow

[peter]

Love it too and had forgotten how good it actually is. In fairness it's actually quite hard to see a film that involves your own line of work through the same lens as people who have no understanding of the occupation; I found the film Clerks odd to see second time around by which time I was actually in the trade.

[Skyweir]

What's your line of work Pete?

[Skyweir]

Prison guard?

[peter]

No Skyweir - nothing like that: for twenty-five years I worked in a mixed veterinary practice which I ultimately managed and well as taking an active role in the practical side. Now, in the twilight of my working life I work in a 7-11 store behind the counter serving people. An odd juxtaposition I am aware, but a very instructive and perspective enhancing one!