Leatherface of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" Unskinned

[JamesG]

Leatherface - Original





Leatherface - Remake





Next up on the list is Leatherface aka Bubba/Junior of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre series; the cannibal, cross-dressing, mentally ********, and human skin wearing maniac.

Not much material here to work with because there is not that many films in the series (in comparison to the other ones) and that his face is hidden worse than Michael Myers. Here are the couple of times we see Leatherface unmasked... well unskinned.




Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III - 1990







We get to see Leatherface without the human skin mask in the very beginning of the film. He is making one of his new masks sitting in a workshed and first we see the back of his head.

He then gets startled and opens the sliding door of the shed and walks out. This is only for a very brief second and requires a freeze-frame to get a good look.

This is the only time in the original series Leatherface is shown without the human skin mask.





The Texas Chainsaw Massacre - 2003





In the 2003 remake of the original 1974 film they decided to a show a full unmasking scene. Leatherface is sitting at his sewing machine working on his new mask and he pulls the old one off ready to put the new one on.




*New Line took over the Chainsaw series with the third film in 1990. Originally they were planning on making three films that started with this one.
What I heard was that they were going to lead up to an unmasking scene in the later two films but after the TCM III failed in the box office the plans were scrapped and it never happened.

Then when the 2003 remake came about, New Line went ahead with their idea and decided to do the unmasking scene in this one where Leatherface is shown to be deformed. Although his face was never shown in the original series, except for that 1 second, it is never mentioned or implied he is deformed.

Also to note, after New Line scrapped their original idea a 4th film did come about. It was Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation and it is said to be more of a 'tribute film' to the original; not really considered a remake or re-imagining.

[Torgo]

I'm convenced Kim Henkel was on heavy medication when he wrote TCM: The Next Generation, but despite all of its absurdity, I find it extremely entertaining.

[JamesG]

Originally Posted by Torgo

I'm convenced Kim Henkel was on heavy medication when he wrote TCM: The Next Generation, but despite all of its absurdity, I find it extremely entertaining.

You know, I LOVE TCM: The Next Generation. The films makes no sense whatsoever and you are absolutely right, it is entertaining for sure.


I have an interpretation of this film that not many people agree with or realized:

One of the most random scenes in this movie, among many, was the appearance of Rothman; the middle-aged European man who arrives to the house in a black limo.

He arrives towards the last moments of the film and he expresses that he is not happy with the way the family is doing things and it is not what they are supposed to do; he wants people "to know the meaning of horror".



According to what was revealed here, Rothman is the leader of an unknown ancient organization whose purpose is to show people the meaning of horror and have them leave the ordeal with a spiritual experience.

So perhaps Rothman (or others under his control) were monitoring Leatherface and his family throughout the entire series; setting up similar scenarios (the sequels) of seemingly harmless people out in rural Texas to appear to help stranded strangers only to lure them into their trap.

Then eventually when the murdering family is doing their deeds wrong and not doing what they were intended to do (this is a metaphor of the sequels not living up to the original and failing) Rothman arrives at the house himself to voice his displeasure.



Perhaps, Rothman himself acts like a film-maker on a quest to capture what was originally intended again and failing at the attempt. Like he says in his last appearance with Renee in the limo; that he was disappointed and that it was an abomination, that it was supposed to be a spiritual awakening, and apologizes for what has happened to her and lets her go.

My interpretation of this is that he is a film-maker embarrased of what has become of his work (Kim Henkel to the TCM series) and he wants the viewer to appreciate what they have seen and leave the theater without disappointment (Renee having been the victim of the family who was supposed to "get" something out of it).


Then in the last scene of the film when Renee talks to the police the officer says "This is not the end of it"; meaning it is not over and more attempts will be made down the road.




This is clearly my own viewing on this film and as you can see I put a lot of thought into it; perhaps maybe things that the film-makers themselves did not make. I would appreciate if you or any other fans of this film can give their input on my theory.


Here is the last scene of the film with the appearance of Rothman in case you forgot who I am talking about - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvyA7Ut-GgQ

[Torgo]

Your theory makes sense considering Kim Henkel didn't like how part 2 turned out considering his original vision of the film . Also someone on the Next Generation board at IMDB posted a similar theory, so you're not alone.

I enjoyed the whole bit with Rothman(who looked like he came straight out of a Lynch or Cronenberg film), and the whole 'conspiracy theory' type background given to Vilmer.

Did you notice John Dugan(Grandpa), Paul A Partain(Franklin), and Marilyn Burns(Sally)from the original all make an appearance during the end hospital scene? John Dugan I didn't know until I read about it.

One scene I always find creepy is when characters go into one of the rooms and there is a cop standing in the corner.

For part 2, I would have loved to have seen Kim and Tobe's original vision they had planned- 'Beyond the Valley of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre', I've heard different variations but the most common was it would have been a town of cannibals, and The Hitchhiker having survived being hit by the truck was strapped to a tree and he slowly became part of the tree.

[HuntingtonM15]

I also love The Next Generation. To me, Lisa Newmyer completely made the movie.

[JamesG]

Originally Posted by Torgo

Your theory makes sense considering Kim Henkel didn't like how part 2 turned out considering his original vision of the film . Also someone on the Next Generation board at IMDB posted a similar theory, so you're not alone.

When you mentioned that I hopped on over to IMDB to look for it. I'm glad to see I am not alone in how people perceive the character Rothman. Actually thinking about it now, I'm surprised many people did not see this connection.

That person on IMDB said something I didn't think of, that this movie is a deconstruction of slasher films. Interesting.

Originally Posted by Torgo

I enjoyed the whole bit with Rothman(who looked like he came straight out of a Lynch or Cronenberg film), and the whole 'conspiracy theory' type background given to Vilmer.

You're right about that regarding Rothman. Another poster on IMDB mentioned about the conspiracy surrounding Vilmer. He asks bizarre questions to his victims and then mentions that everything is pointless anyway. He even mentions to Renee that there are cameras and eyes watching every moment of the house; or something like that.

Nothing in the film is revealed other than the purpose is for "spiritual experience".

Originally Posted by Torgo

Did you notice John Dugan(Grandpa), Paul A Partain(Franklin), and Marilyn Burns(Sally)from the original all make an appearance during the end hospital scene? John Dugan I didn't know until I read about it.

Yes, I read up on this after I saw the film the first time. At first viewing I had no idea who they were.

Paul Partain (Franklin) passed away recently.

I also heard that Jim Siedow (the cook from I and II) was asked to reprise his character by Henkel but he declined. He too has passed away.

Originally Posted by Torgo

One scene I always find creepy is when characters go into one of the rooms and there is a cop standing in the corner.

Lol, the stuffed cop was definitely out there. I loved when Renee decides to take his gun and try to shoot Leatherface with it only to realize that it's not loaded. After that she throws it at him and runs.

Originally Posted by Torgo

For part 2, I would have loved to have seen Kim and Tobe's original vision they had planned- 'Beyond the Valley of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre', I've heard different variations but the most common was it would have been a town of cannibals, and The Hitchhiker having survived being hit by the truck was strapped to a tree and he slowly became part of the tree.

No I haven't heard that about Part 2. I remember hearing that Henkel wasn't pleased with how Part 2 turned out but I didn't know why.

I don't know... the hitchhiker becoming part of a tree??

[JamesG]

Originally Posted by HuntingtonM15

I also love The Next Generation. To me, Lisa Newmyer completely made the movie.

Awesome!

She wouldn't die!! LOL

[HuntingtonM15]

Originally Posted by JamesG

Awesome!

She wouldn't die!! LOL

I love the ridiculous, campy lines that they gave her. Like after the car accident, they go walking into the woods a few feet and she suggests that they stop there to start a fire. I could not stop laughing the first time I saw that part.

[JamesG]

Originally Posted by HuntingtonM15

I love the ridiculous, campy lines that they gave her. Like after the car accident, they go walking into the woods a few feet and she suggests that they stop there to start a fire. I could not stop laughing the first time I saw that part.

The WHOLE movie was campy, lol.

Newmyer was "awesome" in this flick for sure. It's a shame she never went anywhere; she did bit parts in tv series and appeared in Sin City.

I had a laugh at this flick too and one point. Couple of friends of mine decide to watch this with someone who didn't see any of the Chainsaw films before. I know... what a movie to start them off with, right?

Anyway, near the end of the film Renee tries to escape into some eldery couple's RV and they keep driving saying "Don't stop! Don't stop!" My friend asked if they were part of the Chainsaw family and we were all laughing at that.

[Torgo]

Originally Posted by JamesG

The WHOLE movie was campy, lol.

Newmyer was "awesome" in this flick for sure. It's a shame she never went anywhere; she did bit parts in tv series and appeared in Sin City.

It's also my favorite Matthew McConaughey performance(next to his role as David Wooderson in Dazed and Confused), he plays crazy great.

[JamesG]

Originally Posted by Torgo

It's also my favorite Matthew McConaughey performance(next to his role as David Wooderson in Dazed and Confused), he plays crazy great.

Yep, Matt was a psycho in this film for sure. I also loved that homemade robot leg that his character built; he made it work with tv remotes lol. I heard, supposedly, that Matt still has the leg today.


Looking into it now majority of the cast of this movie, with the obvious exception of Renee and Matt, never really did much anything else. The other cast went on to do bit parts in tv and indie films. That dude Sean, Renee's boyfriend, went to the soap opera Guiding Light.

Also, I just found out that the dude who played Leatherface in this one died back in 2001.

[Torgo]

Originally Posted by JamesG

Yep, Matt was a psycho in this film for sure. I also loved that homemade robot leg that his character built; he made it work with tv remotes lol. I heard, supposedly, that Matt still has the leg today.


Looking into it now majority of the cast of this movie, with the obvious exception of Renee and Matt, never really did much anything else. The other cast went on to do bit parts in tv and indie films. That dude Sean, Renee's boyfriend, went to the soap opera Guiding Light.

Also, I just found out that the dude who played Leatherface in this one died back in 2001.

Love the scene where he's trying to find a remote that works and keeps grabbing one then throwing it away, grabs another...

That's sad about that Leatherface.

A couple of years ago I came across a movie on IMDB that was going into production- it was going to have 3 of the actors that played Leatherface- Gunnar Hansen, the guy from part 3, and the guy from the remake, but it seems to have vanished.

Gunnar Hansen seeing him in speaking parts in Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers and Skeeter he was really awful, so I was surprised at his really funny performance in Brutal Massacre- he made the movie for me.

I remember Edwin Neal(Hitchhiker) co-wrote a movie in the early 80's and appeared in it alongside Marilyn Burns, it was called Future Kill. Bill Johnson(Leatherface from part 2) has a bit part.

[JamesG]

Originally Posted by Torgo

A couple of years ago I came across a movie on IMDB that was going into production- it was going to have 3 of the actors that played Leatherface- Gunnar Hansen, the guy from part 3, and the guy from the remake, but it seems to have vanished.

Gunnar Hansen seeing him in speaking parts in Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers and Skeeter he was really awful, so I was surprised at his really funny performance in Brutal Massacre- he made the movie for me.

I remember Edwin Neal(Hitchhiker) co-wrote a movie in the early 80's and appeared in it alongside Marilyn Burns, it was called Future Kill. Bill Johnson(Leatherface from part 2) has a bit part.

I think I vaguely remember something like that being considered; the movie with the Leatherface's. Part III was R.A. Mihailoff and the remake series was Andrew Bryniarski.

I actually saw that Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers... I wasn't impressed lol. Brutal Massacre: A Comedy I enjoyed; I also liked Brian O'Halloran from Clerks who was in this as well.


Future Kill I never did see... I will look into that one soon.


In TCM II I loved Bill Mosley who played the Hitchhiker's brother.


Perhaps, my least favorite of all is TCM III. For one it wasn't even filmed in Texas; only one out of all of them not to be made in Texas.

That woman in the wheelchair was annoying; you know who I'm talking about...

The one who made it enjoyable, to me, was Ken Foree who played the black survivalist out in the woods.

Also, like how The Next Generation had Renee and Matt who were then-unknowns Part III had Viggo Mortensen.

[Torgo]

Originally Posted by JamesG

I think I vaguely remember something like that being considered; the movie with the Leatherface's. Part III was R.A. Mihailoff and the remake series was Andrew Bryniarski.

I actually saw that Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers... I wasn't impressed lol. Brutal Massacre: A Comedy I enjoyed; I also liked Brian O'Halloran from Clerks who was in this as well.


Future Kill I never did see... I will look into that one soon.


In TCM II I loved Bill Mosley who played the Hitchhiker's brother.


Perhaps, my least favorite of all is TCM III. For one it wasn't even filmed in Texas; only one out of all of them not to be made in Texas.

That woman in the wheelchair was annoying; you know who I'm talking about...

The one who made it enjoyable, to me, was Ken Foree who played the black survivalist out in the woods.

Also, like how The Next Generation had Renee and Matt who were then-unknowns Part III had Viggo Mortensen.

I love super cheesy horror movies, and Chainsaw Hookers is one of my favorites of those types- even got to see it on the big screen back in the early 90's

There were bits of III I liked but as a whole it wasn't my favorite either. Friends and I went and saw it when it premiered, the film broke about 15 minutes in, over half the audience left. I do love the trailer for it though.
I know the lady you're talking about, maybe they were trying to have a more annoying wheelchair bound character than the original

Brian O'Halloran was great.

[JamesG]

Originally Posted by Torgo

I love super cheesy horror movies, and Chainsaw Hookers is one of my favorites of those types- even got to see it on the big screen back in the early 90's

There were bits of III I liked but as a whole it wasn't my favorite either. Friends and I went and saw it when it premiered, the film broke about 15 minutes in, over half the audience left. I do love the trailer for it though.
I know the lady you're talking about, maybe they were trying to have a more annoying wheelchair bound character than the original

Brian O'Halloran was great.

I love cheesy horror flicks too but you have the "good bad" and the "bad bad" type of films. Chainsaw Hookers I didn't find enjoyable.

Really, people walked out of TCM III 15 minutes in at the premiere? Wow. I mean, for me, I didn't find it up to par with the original but not so bad I'd stop watching it.

What I also think is that they were looking to make that "The Saw is Family" chainsaw a trademark item. The way it was introduced with the music and the last shot of Leatherface when the saw rises up from the swamp and sinks; you could definitely tell they were looking to feature that in the sequels that were going to come. Obviously, this didn't quite pan out.

Yeah, the trailer for TCM III I liked and I also like the box cover art for it. TCM II is an obvious parody on The Breakfast Club lol.