Made in Austin: Chainsaw Massacre 2

From major box office hits to cult classics, Austin has provided a spectacular landscape for filmmakers to bring their vision to life. Visitors have flocked to destinations featured in iconic locally made films like "Dazed and Confused" and "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." With over 50 years of production, there are many film tourism locations in the Austin area to experience including those seen in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2."

About "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2"

In a departure from the original, Tobe Hooper’s "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre II" is more of a dark comedy. Set 13 years after the events of the first film, Chainsaw-wielding maniac Leatherface returns (this time played by Bill Johnson), along with his twisted clan, including the equally disturbed Chop-Top (Bill Moseley). Leatherface sets his sights on terrorizing disc jockey Vanita Brock (Caroline Williams), but Vanita teams up with Texas lawman Lefty Enright (Dennis Hopper) to take on the chainsaw wielding psychopath, tracking the family of cannibals to their abandoned amusement park lair.

Details: Cannon / Rated R / 101 minutes / Action, Horror, Comedy
Director: Tobe Hooper
Cast: Dennis Hopper, Caroline Williams, Bill Johnson, Bill Moseley, Lou Perryman, Jim Siedow, Barry Kinyon and Chris Douridas
Streaming On: @PrimeVideo, @iTunes

Locations

Scene: The Bridge Chase

Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 screengrab, showing a car chase on a Bridge at night

Yuppie teenagers Buzz (Kinyon) and Rick (Douridas) have a grisly encounter with a passing truck on the Colorado River Bridge. On the flatbed of the vehicle, a chainsaw wielding Leatherface (Johnson) refuses to let them drive past, causing the teens to crash. The bridge has since been turned into a pedestrian walkway, after a larger bridge was built next to it.

Location: Colorado Pedestrian Bridge (Loop 150 Bastrop, TX 78602)
 

Scene: Cut-Rite Chain Saws

Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 screengrab, showing the exterior of an old building with a sign reading Cut Rite Chainsaws

Seeking vengeance on the death of his niece and nephew at the hands of Leatherface (Johnson), Lieutenant “Lefty'' Enright (Hopper) shops for an arsenal of chainsaws at a local hardware store. During the filming, this building was an actual chainsaw repair shop. In 2004, the location was converted into a popular Johnny Cash-themed honky-tonk bar, the Mean-Eyed Cat. When you walk through the front door, notice the original ‘Cut-Rite Chain Saws’ sign hanging proudly above the bar.

Location: Mean-Eyed Cat (1621 W Fifth St, Austin, TX 78703)

Iconic Filming Location Map

 

Explore more iconic filming locations during your next visit to Austin. The Austin Film Tourism Guide has details on the where scenes from your favorite movie and television series were filmed in and around Austin.