{"id":2055977,"date":"2025-09-28T18:16:04","date_gmt":"2025-09-28T18:16:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2055977"},"modified":"2025-09-28T18:16:04","modified_gmt":"2025-09-28T18:16:04","slug":"this-classic-horror-movie-made-japan-fear-texas-and-its-barbecue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/this-classic-horror-movie-made-japan-fear-texas-and-its-barbecue\/","title":{"rendered":"This classic horror movie made Japan fear Texas (and its barbecue)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chron.com\/culture\/tv\/article\/texas-chainsaw-massacre-reboot-movie-20370774.php\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:The Texas Chain Saw Massacre;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">The Texas Chain Saw Massacre<\/a> <\/em>is <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chron.com\/culture\/article\/texas-chainsaw-massacre-canon-18437701.php\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:firmly in the Texas canon;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">firmly in the Texas canon<\/a> as one of the scariest and influential horror flicks of the 20th century. The classic film, directed by Tobe Hooper, left a haunting impression on theater goers in 1974 and has since continued to hold up as one of the scariest slasher movies ever. It turns out <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chron.com\/culture\/tv\/article\/texas-films-national-film-registry-2024-19985866.php\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:the movie was so scary;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">the movie was so scary<\/a> that it left Japanese audiences terrified of the entire Lone Star State, according to Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The firsthand account of Japanese audiences&#8217; reactions to the horror classic was documented in <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/darkskyfilms.com\/film\/chain-reactions\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Chain Reactions;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><em>Chain Reactions<\/em><\/a>, a documentary reflecting on the lasting impact the film has had since its release. The doc, opening nationwide on Sept. 26, features commentary from Miike, comedian and actor Patton Oswalt, film critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, author Stephen King and filmmaker Karyn Kusama.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Miike, best known for his 2001 horror action thriller <em>Ichi The Killer, <\/em>recalled first seeing the movie when he was 15 years old and explained how <em>The Texas Chain Saw Massacre <\/em>left audiences in Japan with a terrifying (but inaccurate ) perception of Texas.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;Charlie Chaplin&#8217;s <em>City Lights<\/em> was having a revival. I went to watch it, but the screening was sold out,&#8221; Miike recalled.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The sellout forced Mike to attend a screening of<em> Texas Chain Saw<\/em>, localized as T<em>he Devil&#8217;s Sacrifice<\/em> in Japan. He noted that his mindset was not particularly prepared for the horror flick, as he was anticipating seeing a Chaplin romantic comedy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;I went into it by chance, with a good disposition since I&#8217;d originally planned on watching <em>City Lights<\/em>,&#8221; Miike says in the documentary. Then, the movie started. It was an old theater, Shochikuza in Osaka. There were pillars in the theater. It was perfect for horror.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>The Texas Chain Saw Massacre <\/em>stars Jim Siedow, Marilyn Burns, and Gunnar Hansen. It follows a group of friends who are hunted and killed by the cannibalistic murderer Leatherface and his equally horrifying family members. Despite the film&#8217;s nature, Mike found himself transfixed by Hooper&#8217;s terrifying vision of the quiet terror that pervades small-town Texas.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>1974&#8217;s &#8220;The Texas Chainsaw Massacre&#8221; terrified audiences at home and abroad. (Bryanston Pictures)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;Up until that point, movies had been something safe,&#8221; Miike said. &#8220;For the first time, I felt that movies could be something dangerous. As I watched the film, the characters became more endearing. I started to feel affection for them. By the end, I was rooting for them and laughing out loud.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Meanwhile, Japan itself, he says, saw Texas as one of the most horrific places on earth after witnessing Leatherface in action.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;I had never experienced a film like that. In Japan, at the time, because of that film, everyone thought Texas was a dangerous place. How can I put it? A desolate landscape,&#8221; Miike explained.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">While Japanese audiences had their perception of Texas altered, the film inspired future filmmakers like Miike to lean into horror. <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.littletexas.jp\/index-e.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Tokyo has Texas-themed bars,;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Tokyo has Texas-themed bars,<\/a> and the wild west cowboy aesthetic is looked at as what Texas is, which is sort of accurate but much better than the terrifying place the movie branded the state as.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The impact of <em>The Texas Chainsaw Massacre <\/em>franchise still persists today, and it&#8217;s future is now much clearer after production studio<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/deadline.com\/2025\/09\/texas-chainsaw-massacare-a24-jt-mollner-glen-powell-1236530511\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:A24 has nabbed its film rights,;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"> A24 has nabbed its film rights, <\/a>with a return to the big screen rumoured to be preceded by a television series from filmmaker and writer JT Mollner (<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chron.com\/culture\/article\/texas-chainsaw-jt-mollner-remake-21030643.php\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:who had previously denied any involvement;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">who had previously denied any involvement<\/a>) and Austin&#8217;s own Glen Powell.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>More Culture<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chron.com\/culture\/article\/king-hill-series-joss-hardwick-tribute-20805014.php\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Yee-haw | Whataburger teams up with Texas company for western wear line;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><strong>Yee-haw |<\/strong> Whataburger teams up with Texas company for western wear line<\/a><br \/><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chron.com\/culture\/music\/article\/beyonce-new-act-jeans-20804765.php\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Explainer | Another tribal casino is coming to Texas. How is it legal?;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><strong>Explainer |<\/strong> Another tribal casino is coming to Texas. How is it legal?<\/a><br \/><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chron.com\/culture\/article\/mattress-mack-horse-racing-houston-texas-21062998.php\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Impact | Mattress Mack no longer has any love for this sport;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><strong>Impact |<\/strong> Mattress Mack no longer has any love for this sport<\/a><br \/><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.chron.com\/sports\/astros\/article\/jeopardy-host-ken-jennings-athletics-rips-astros-21067062.php\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Sports | Even 'Jeopardy' is clowning the Astros' late-season collapse;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><strong>Sports |<\/strong> Even &#8216;Jeopardy&#8217; is clowning the Astros&#8217; late-season collapse<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>For the latest and best from\u00a0Chron,\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/link.chron.com\/join\/signup-chron\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:sign up for our daily newsletter here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">sign up for our daily newsletter here.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is firmly in the Texas canon as one of the scariest and influential horror flicks of the 20th century. The classic film, directed by Tobe Hooper, left a haunting impression on theater goers in 1974 and has since continued to hold up as one of the scariest slasher movies ever. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2055978,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[377059,350238,365489,382505,26630,382506,359868,382504,382503,377060,339720],"class_list":["post-2055977","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-chain-reactions","tag-film-critic","tag-horror-flick","tag-horror-flicks","tag-japan","tag-japanese-audiences","tag-lone-star-state","tag-marilyn-burns","tag-takashi-miike","tag-texas-chain-saw-massacre","tag-tobe-hooper"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/This-classic-horror-movie-made-Japan-fear-Texas-and-its.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2055977","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2055977"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2055977\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2055978"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2055977"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2055977"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2055977"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}