Deseret News | Movie review: Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III

Reader comments
Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III

DeWayne England | 7:19 a.m. March 27, 1999

My view of this movie is very different from others. One I feel that the lovable character of LEATHERFACE was better portrayed in TC3. When he looked in to the mirror and saw his face he showed a real human quality of sadness. I felt for him when he touched his face and realized that MONSTER wasn't what he felt inside. After all in this film he was also a family man. He sat his daughter in his lap just like any proud Poppa would and let her listen to his music. There is not that many fathers like that left in the world today. So he has one weakness and that is people are FOOD. Who am I to judge?

Calum Waddell | 7:35 a.m. April 15, 1999

This is the one of the worst sequels of all time. The first
was a classic, the followup was an original slasher spoof
with just the right amount of suspense to be classified as a
work of considerable genius. Then, came this. I swear,
director Jeff Burr deserves to be stuck where he is now
(directing video orientated schlock like the "Puppet Master"
sequels after blowing his shot at terror history).
Make no mistake about it, this is not a Tobe Hooper film.
Burr hyped himself to high heaven when this came out... he
rubbished part two and boasted about his "terrifying" part
three. Instead you get a totally different Leatherface (with
long brown hair), a totally different family of chainsaw
killers and, get this, old flesh face had a daughter! Who
did Leatherface have sex with then? Now this should alert
you to what utter crap this film actually is, but the worst
is to come...
For a start the new family are dislikable racist foul
mouthed scum, a far cry from the lunacy of Jim Seidow and Ed
Neal in the original. There is nothing in the way of scares,
the heroine (Kate Hodge) is given nothing to do but scream
because scripter David Schow forgot to include such elements
as characterisation. "Dawn of the Dead" star Ken Foree pops
up to conclude the film with a sudden, wretched shoot out
ending. There is no blood or gore, but there is a typical
"Friday the 13th" cop out ending.
This is a disaster, an insult to anyone who loved the
first two and as good a reason as any as to why everyone
involved with this mess should never be allowed to work
again. It is that bad! Oh yeah, and Burr pretty much dis
owned the final product as did scriptwriter Schow. Studio
medling and all that. Not like this turkey was a lost cause
to begin with.

Tex | 9:13 a.m. June 22, 1999

I am a big fan of horror flicks. Well for one I will have
to say that texas chainsaw massacre 3 was a good movie.
Granted it had nothing to do with the other two, but it was
original and had an interesting story line. would have to
say this movies deserves at least 3 stars. Oh and if you
get a chance, do rent texas chainsaw massacre 4 < Great
Movie!!!!

Comments continue below

tjt | 12:05 a.m. Aug. 1, 1999

When I first saw this movie I thought it sucked, but then I
heard about this special unrated version. I figured if the
movie was as bad as it was a few minutes of extra gore
wouldn't change anything, but I'll never know, because the
video I got proclaimed "original uncut classic" on the case-
85 minutes and unrated, but the video tape read 81 min.
and R-rated. This could have been some mistake and the
movie was really uncut, but it still sucked just as much as
it did before. Flat direction, a stupid cannibal family
that gets more screen time than Leatherface himself, and an
idiotic ending sink this loser that definitely doesn't
deserve to be called "Texas Chainsaw Massacre."

DAVID RAMOS | 11:24 a.m. Aug. 9, 1999

THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE MEANS ALOT MORE TO ME THAN JUST
A HORROR FILM. IT REPRESENTS WHAT EVERY HORROR FILM IS
SUPPOSE TO BE ABOUT. THATS WHY YOU CAN CALL IT THE DADDY OF
HORROR FILMS. THE SEQUEL TO THIS FILM I FELT WAS DONE VERY
NICELY. IT INTRODUCED YOU TO NEW CHARACTERS AND GAVE YOU A
STORY YOU COULD ACTUALLY BELIEVE. THE END OF THE MOVIE
MARKED THE FINAL SAWYER FAMILY STAND. THE TEXAS CHAINSAW
PART 3 IS THE WORSE RENDITION OF THE CHAINSAW MASSACRE I'VE
SEEN. IT BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES WHEN I SAW THE PREVIEW
FOR THE FIRST TIME. WHEN YOU SEE A SEQUEL LIKE THIS THE
DIRECTOR SHOULD MAKE IT SOME HOW BELIEVABLE OR SIMILAR TO
THE MOVIE THAT PRECEDED IT. THIS MOVIE ACCCORDING TO THE
TWO FILMS BEFORE IT COULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED. FIRST OFF
THERE WERE NO CHARACTERS FROM THE OTHER FILMS ACCEPT FOR
LEATHERFACE.. BUT WAIT DIDN'T HE GET BLOWN UP BY A GRENADE,
GUTTED WITH A CHAINSAW, AND HIT OVER THE HEAD WITH A MALLET.
IN THIS FILM THEY SHOULD HAVE HAD STRETCH OR CHOP TOP
SOMEHOW SURVIVE AND CREATE A NEW FAMILY. THIS FILM WAS
TOTALLY UNCALLED FOR. THE DIRECTOR SHOULD BE TARRED AND
FEATHERED FOR EVEN THINKING ABOUT THIS. GUNNAR HANSON, BILL
MOSELEY MANNN THESE GUYS ARE LEGENDS AND YOU MAKE A MOCHARY
OUT OF THERE WORK. YOU ALL WANNA SEE A GOOD FILM, GO RENT
CHAINSAW ONE AND TWO, GET AN OLD COAT HANGER, SOME CHEAP
BEER, AND SOME GOOD BARBAQUE. HAVE A BLAST WATCHING THE
WHOLE SAWYER FAMILY SLAUGHTER THERE WAY THRU TEXAS!!!!!!!!!
OH YEAH LICK MY PLATE!!!!!!!!!!!!

nick hamilton | 10:03 p.m. Aug. 10, 1999

If you would have done your research a little bit better,
then you would have realized that leatherface was the first
faceless killer who had no emotion. Even though TCM 3 is no
comparison to the first, I really do not think that you
should be able to critique a movie without knowing the
background and history of the movie.
Jason, Michael, and all the rest were fashioned in some
way of the character that Gunner Hansen(leatherface, TCM 1)
had created. Even though this is the third movie that you
are talking about. The movie is most likely a diffrent
story, but based on the some thing. A good example of this
is Evil Dead 1 and Evil Dead 2, watch them and find out
what I mean.
Anyway, I think that this is a good movie overall, and I
think that you should not critique movies, because, well,
frankly you can't critique a movie.

GG | 2:11 p.m. Sept. 10, 1999

First I would like to say that the little girl is not
Leatherface's daughter, but his sister.
All right , now that that's clear, TCM III is a fair movie,
if only for the presence of Ken Foree, who is perhaps one
of
the most underrated actors in recent cinematic history, and
Leatherface himself, who is NOT underrated, and who is the
greatest, most chilling villain ever imagined. Forget smug
Lecter and corny Krueger, Leatherface is killer instinct
incarnate, a 6'4, est.290 pound monster that sears his own
gut-wrenching brand of savagery into our nightmares.
As for this movie, I suggest you rent it by itself. It
pales
in comparison to the almost hallucinogenic insanity of the
first two, but judged alone, it stands above the average
horror movie, having a modicum of suspense (the
booby-trapped swamp was a nice touch).
The acting ranges, with the exception of Foree, from
serviceable to blah. Foree generates real desperation,
disgust, and humor. If the rest of the cast had been up to
his standard, then it would have been a formidable movie
indeed, maybe something on the line of Dawn of the Dead,
which Foree and three other fine actors drove to become a
classic.
But...
I can't complain. I love horror. So check TCM III out when
you don't have anything else to do.

D. | 10:10 p.m. Sept. 16, 1999

Granted, Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III does
moderately resemble its more elabotare and gory
predecessor,
only on a more mediocre level. Despite that drawback, the
third installment of this series proves to be quite
enjoyable and even humerous at certain intervals. On the
positive level, I found the actors very believeable,
the death scenes rather graphic (although it takes a bit
more to freak me out), and a really neat soundtrack.
However, on the down side, the character of Leatherface
seemed to have lost his heartless and malevolent
persona that made him so memorable in the original. Also,
TCM III follows the basic on-the-road then in-the-backwoods
scheme that set the tone for the first movie. The ending
was
not as great as I had hoped; if you haven't seen it,
I won't give it away, but I will say this: it opened the
door (I mean WAY open) to a terribly lame sequel which is
best left on the shelf. If anyone sides with me in the
sense
that Leatherface had lost his touch in part three, don't
expect a sudden boost of testosterone level in the next
one.
All in all, TCM III was fairly good....if you don't mind
watching a watered down version of the most bizarre horror
flick to hit the movie scene.

Robert hepstall | 3:40 p.m. Oct. 26, 1999

Like the previouse two,tyhe 3rd one is pretty good.The
4th one,dont waste your time or money.The fact that The
Texas Chainsaw Massarce is a cult favorite is of no suprise.
However,if they would just keep making them as good as the
first one and the 3rd one they would all be kewl.Yes,the
second one was good but could have been better.If you
notice in the 3rd one where they got a Caroline Williams
look alike to walk across the screen at the part where the
two drivers are driobing threouh where the body parts are
you will see how they try to carry each previouse film over
into the next.Caroline Williams played the DJ Stretch in
the second one.

Tim | 1:11 p.m. Oct. 30, 1999

I love gorey movies, but this one just Reaked. It had
almost no plot, no since of direction. In the first TCM
movie, Leatherface wore a leg brace, whatever happened to
it. And in the TCM "The NExt GEneration, he has another
brother, what is going on. And whatever happened to the one
guy in the first movie, who lived with the chainsaw
wielding family.

john judson | 4:39 p.m. Dec. 24, 1999

this movie is so lame there is no words that can express
this garbage.It seems the makers are trying to make this
leatherface character be just like michael myers but with a
chainsaw.if you are thinking of watching this trash you are
wasting your time.

Russ Slater | 1:33 p.m. Jan. 27, 2000

Hello. I have to say, that I must disagree with the review
posted on the site. Obvioucly the "critic" din't
quite "get" the whole meaning of the movie. No character
devolopment? Not only is it a lie, but what would you
expect? Leatherface, in this film, is NOT the one seen in
previous two films. He devolopes very much so, when he
stands up from himself in the scene with his older
brother ... making him reach into the oven to get his head
phones. And this film shows his wanting to learn, when he
does "his studies" in the shed with the electrinic game.
Also, i take offense about the degrating statements
concerning other horror film icons, Michael Myers, and
Jason. These characters are well known to the horror
genre, and liked by many. As a professional screenwriter
(and i have written several horror) I must give this movie
4 stars. The actor that portrayed Leatherface, R.A.
Mihailoff, is a very talented and nice man, as is Kane
Hodder, and George Wilbur (those are Jason and Michael -
just in case you didn't know). It is clear that the
reviewer was opposed against all horror pictures in general
from his writing style and wording.
What did you expect from "Leatherface" - academy award
performance or what? Go see "shine" or some other trash.
As a horror fan, I say that Chainsaw 3 was very good.
Thank you,
Russ Slater

lewd_louis | 12:05 a.m. Feb. 8, 2000

sick man sick the sawyers are #1, (sing along now) THE
SAWYERS ARE #1. LEATHERFACE IS REALLY MY BROTHER
BUBBA???????????????????????

jason | 5:40 p.m. Feb. 24, 2000

i liked the movie but i dont like what it stands for

Ray Carapella | 3:59 p.m. March 1, 2000

This film is a very mediosre horror film. This third sequel
to what I thought was the best horror film ever made. Show
no respect for the first one. The third one isn't as
gory as the the second film. There is some etertainment to
be seen here. Tobe Hooper should be dissapointed.
2 stars

megan | 8:35 p.m. March 15, 2000

I have to tell you, I'm a huge horror fan! I also work in
the horror industry and quite frankly this movie was one of
the absolute worst i've seen in a long time! To think they
had so many stars in one movie and they still couldn't pull
it off! What a pity! I only hope there isn't going to be a
part 4

frank thomas | 8:22 p.m. April 18, 2000

man this movie was horrible
i couldnt even bear to watch it
the violence i could take but the lack or acting skills
gimme a break

ray carapella | 1:42 p.m. May 12, 2000

The original texas chainsaw massacre was my favorite film
of alltime and terrified more than any other film. The
Third entry has no power or energy to terrify it's viewer.
If your making a texas chainsaw massacre sequel your goal
should be to make your viewer feel unsettled and to be
very raw and not have a smirk on your face well doing it.
Viewers do not want to laugh they want to be terrified.

This film is not raw and the filmmakers make leatherface
and im sorry to say but a fagit. Leatherface has gone from
being a terrifying brutal killer in the first one. To a
a killer who was in love "part 2" to a killer who just
loves to listen to his walkman and plays childish games.
I rather laugh at him then anything else.

HOOPER SAVE THE FRANCHISE.

Lucie | 6:00 p.m. Nov. 19, 2000

Okay lets all be honest and admit that this movie was less
than wondeful, but some times thats what makes a movie. I
have to say that I am one of the biggest supporters of the
horror movie industry and this movie did very little to
promote our cause to be taken seriously. But were it did
lack that oscar worthy feel to it. I think that it did at
least give us a funny kinda take on the who TCM. Here we
have a stupid leather face who can spell but just cant tell
the difference between a friggin clown and food. Well
anyways as for as movies go this one was just some thing to
do on a boring night any way. I hope they make another one
that does justice to the orginals

jo | 11:29 p.m. Dec. 31, 2005

for sum reason the texas chainsaw massacre movie has stuck
in my brain. please can some1 tell me if its a true story
or not! what an horrific thing to survive! is this tough
brave girl stil alive, and how has she survived the
trauma? if its true i would love to meet the lady. it
would b gr8 if she could share her story with us.

zinnie | 4:13 p.m. March 3, 2007

to any and all of those who have the audacity to say that
the texas chainsaw massacre series is not as tastefully
written and directed as it is gruesomely horrifying maybe
scary movies aren't your thing, especially the bone head
who wrote that first submission, give me two, even one
scary movie that has half as much fortitude as the
texas chainsaw massacre. giving exception to the fact that
the story line might not be as deep as some might hope, but
if you recall the cult classic from 1974 what's missing? oh
yeah an indepth story line. what would you like, possibly a
soap opera come on now children, the mere fact that these
movies are based and inspired by actual events seems like
plot enough to me ehh? the texas chainsaw massacre is an un-
surpassed masterpiece although few have tried i.e. saw and
will forever define the (leather)face of horror for years
and generations to come

Anonymous | 11:47 p.m. June 10, 2009

To Jo. Dec 31 2005. The story of The Texas chainsaw massacre was loosely inspired by the true story of Ed Gein. A serial killer who murdered and skinned two people in Wisconsin. It was also part of the inspiration for The Silence of the lambs. As for the tough brave girl, her character was a work of fiction for the movie.

Tery | 1:21 a.m. July 12, 2009

To David Ramos, no, Leather didn't get blown up by a grenade, it was granpa and he didn't get gutted, that was Chop Top...actually, Leather did get blown up by the grenade and granpa was the one who blew them up when he blew himself up...no it wasn't granpa, it was Stretch...I think anyhoo TCM 3 was pretty disappointing and it wasn't even filmed in Texas, it was filmed in Canada. What a jip.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.

Movie Info

Rated R for violence, profanity, vulgarity.

FIND LOCAL MOVIE SHOWTIMES