Cover work essay

Comparing the old TCM with the new question:

I have been asked to compare the old version of TCM which came about in 1974 with the new TCM which came out in 2003. The movie was linked and inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s film “Psycho”. The film typically follows the generic codes and conventions of different slasher texts from the past however due to technology films have are becoming better quality with the usage of higher class iconography. This essay will be comparing and contrasting the old vergin of Texas chainsaw masicaer in comparison with the new version which came about in 2003.

Both the films have their similarities as well as their differences. In both the films they both follow “Clover’s” theory of the final girl. In both the films the last person to die is the female showing that society is not male dominated as it was and has opened up much more. This argues with “Tuchman’s” theory about women being symbolically annulated showing the comparison that now in slasher genres women are not represented as sex symbols for the male gaze however are represented as the independent survivors saving themselves until the end without a male’s help.

On the other hand during both films it is obvious to the audience that if a female and a male have sex then they are one of the first people to die suggesting that they may be getting punished for being immoral. However the binary opposition is the vergin is one of the last people to die this is portrayed in both the old film and the remaking of Texas Chainsaw Maserca.

In the 1974 film the main serial killer “Leather Face” is shown to be the most powerful man as he kills anyone who comes in his way weather it being male or female, However in comparison to this in the 2003 edition we see leather face getting his had chopped on which can easily link to the idea of the new man not being ashamed to be represented as week and powerless, therefore “Struts” theory comes in to practise as we as audience notice binary oppositions between a male being strong and week.

Similarly in both films leather face kills all the teenagers that come across him however due to the modern technology that has come about the iconography and props used in the 1974 film are less realistic and therefore bring a less thrill to the audience. However the killings of the teenagers in the 2003 film were mush more realistic and graphic making the audience associate with the film more. Furthermore there is a shot in the 2003 film of a camera being able to go right through a girls head. This proves how advance technology has become as before their were not a camera trick that was able to do such as shot.

Therefore in conclusion it is obvious to say that the film has changed through the idea of modern technology however the storyline of both the films are more or less similar, however in the updated version it could be said that certain parts are emphasised, such as the murders are much more graphic in comparison to the first version were it is less graphic and much more subtle. Therefore films like Texas Chainsaw Maserca are still known to be the “Granddaddy” of the slasher genre as they are highly entertaining as well as satisfying towards the audience.