10 Horror Films Based On Shocking True Events

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a 1974 horror film that is, nowadays, considered a classic of the genre. Directed by Tobe Hooper and starring Marilyn Burns, Edwin Neal and Paul Partain, the film has long been a firm favourite of those who love a good old scary movie. As part of its marketing blitz at the time, it was said that events depicted in the production were based on true events.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is allegedly based - admittedly lightly - on the crimes of serial killer Ed Gein. Ed Gein was known as the Butcher of Plainfield and was responsible for the deaths of several people as well as having exhumed bodies from local graveyards to create keepsakes and trophies made of their body parts.

The star of the horror film, Leatherface, was in part inspired by Gein, including the creepy mask he wore which was made out of human skin. The crimes of Gein have had a lasting impact and have inspired several books and films in modern culture (including Psycho). Whilst The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is creepy enough, Gein's true life encounters and crimes are enough to scare anyone.