The Sawyer Massacre

...is obviously something that a TCM related film must have and there is one. The movie is set as a unofficial prequel to TCM 1974 and does a fairly decent job as such. The tone is set early on and the feel of a desolate rural area emerges along with the plot. Most of the characters are only there to satisfy the saw, except for Jimmy (Jordan O'Neal). There are a few inconsistencies and/or plot holes, but they can mostly be overlooked and disregarded. Now, Leatherface (Bubba) is played by Scotty Parkin and he does a fine job as the infantile, subdued killer. His facemask looks partly like the Hulk, partly like Lou Reed with a splash of Linda Perry. The FX are gory, but I guess that budget was an issue so they aren't very elaborate. All in all, the Sawyer Massacre holds its own and is well worth your time if you happen to enjoy low budget Horror that is connected to the TCM franchise.

I was pleasantly surprised by this low budget indie.

The location was ideal and set the tone for the film. The characters of Drayton, Leather Face and Rex were sufficiently menacing and they carried the story along nicely. The victims characters were interesting and they had back stories that fleshed them out. I believe great care was taken to keep the "look" authentic to the time period (vehicles, home decor ect.) . The butcher room was scary and blood covered giving the victims no hope of escape. Steve Merlo will be a name to follow and I look forward to his future projects. I think it was an awesome idea to release this fan film on YouTube allowing it as much exposure as possible. Nice job Steve and crew the film kept me entertained.

For a fan film this was really good everyone did pretty good the gore was on point and you could really feel the tension going at times leatherface looked really good to. Rex was awesome too . I have a few theories about a few things though like does the construction guy get away and what happened to Drayton we never see him again after that one scene. But I really loved it the score was good too. I hope Steve continues this route of film making he has a bright future ahead! Everyone involved played a solid role Jimmy side story was very heartfelt as well and again I loved that one scene at the beginning with the construction guy over seeing the power grids the sound in the background just adds a eerie feel to the scene! Great job to all.

Well I am impressed! I tend to be very wary of "FAN FILMS" and indeed many disappoint, others don't get the source material but this one is a gem. You can see the love for the source material and honestly better than some low budget or Asylum films. Bravo! Exceptional for a fan film showing the professionals what it is like when you "get" and respect the ideas and concepts of the material. I was entertained and in the end that is what counts. I'll keep my eye on these guys to see what else they come up with. If you are a fan I recommend checking it out, don't expect HOLLYWOOD budget or production values but just an effort that shows the love.

The Sawyer Massacre is a standout fan film that pays a hauntingly authentic tribute to Tobe Hooper's 1974 classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. What truly sets this film apart is its expert direction and meticulous editing, which together recreate the raw, unsettling atmosphere of the original.

The direction is a masterclass in capturing the essence of 1970s horror. The film's pacing mirrors the slow-burn tension of the original, building dread without relying on over-the-top scares. The choice to minimize the musical score enhances the sense of isolation and unease, allowing ambient sounds to amplify the horror. Merlo's attention to detail in recreating the look and feel of the era is evident, from the vintage vehicles to the rustic interiors, immersing the audience in the time period.

The editing in The Sawyer Massacre is both precise and gritty, effectively mirroring the rawness of the original film. The use of jump cuts and abrupt transitions heightens the sense of chaos and unpredictability, keeping viewers on edge. The film's pacing is deliberate, allowing moments of tension to breathe before delivering shocking reveals. This careful editing ensures that each scene contributes to the mounting sense of dread, culminating in a climax that is both satisfying and terrifying.