10 Video Nasties That Became Horror Classics

10. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Even before the video nasty uproar Tobe Hooper’s groundbreaking horror The Texas Chainsaw Massacre had already caused a stir amongst British censors. Initially refused certification by the BBFC, the film remained banned until it was finally passed uncut in 1999 during which time the word ‘chainsaw’ was also prohibited from use in film titles.

It was deemed so worrisome that after an uncut screening of the film for the BFI, former BBFC examiner James Ferman allegedly said, “It’s all right for you middle-class cineastes to see this film, but what would happen if a factory worker in Manchester happened to see it?” Such concerns increased tenfold when The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was released on VHS during the video nasty rumpus and could be widely seen by Mancunian factory workers and other such easily influenced plebs.

Predictably, the people of Manchester didn’t turn into chainsaw-wielding maniacs upon the movie’s unbanning and today Hooper’s film is appreciated as one of the 20th century’s most important horrors.