A group of friends travelling to a relative’s house in Texas pick up an odd hitchhiker who acts out violently. Shaken up, the five travel to the abandoned house where they soon run into a psychotic family of cannibals – most memorably the human skin-wearing Leatherface . Tobe Hooper made some good films after this, but never again came close to maching the quality here, which is really the final word when it comes to 70s exploitation horror. Terrifyingly real- though not quite as based in reality as the John Larroquete opening narration would have you believe –  the film remains surprising in its lack of onscreen violence, but the combination of unique, affecting sound effects and startling images linger in your mind long after the film ends. Followed by multiple sequels and a remake, none of which come close to touching it.