Leatherface.

History of a horror character

Leatherface

Leatherface is the main rival character in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre horror films, series and spin-offs. His first appearance being made in 1974 and having 6 remakes and continuations. The Wisconsin killer names Eddie Gein was supposeably the inspiration of the character who wore a mask made of human skin.

The Caption for the 1974 film : "After you stop screaming, you'll be talking about it".

He comes from a small family consisting of his brothers, Drayton, Nubbins, Choptop and his grandfather. They were all portrayed to work as a cow-killer at a meat factory. The killer is shown to be a 'big baby' who only kills in self-defense because he feels threatened of other people. He and his brothers would bring in fresh meat for his eldest brother to cook up, the fresh meat they brought home to serve was human and the grandfather would drink the blood of them. Leatherface would then butcher the skin and dress the meat, then went on to make masks from the flesh and use the bones to make furniture, however the original series of the film never showed his face without one of his human faces on. Eventually, the family would turn the victims  into barbecue and chili, which the older brother sells at his restaurant/gas station.The film portrays him not to be such of an evil horror character, but one who is mentally retarded. Throughout the film he only does what his family tells him to do and not his own decisions. 

His appearance comes across as one of a cross dresser, but mainly dressed in a scruffy shirt and baggy tie. His face is never revealed and is only the masks of his victims killers, usually with messy curly hair attatched. His iconic weapon is the chainsaw, which he does most of his damage with, chopping and desolating anyone that comes near or enters his house. He also uses a Mallet in various parts as well. He is a very big character, somewhat around the 6ft mark and is also on the bulky side as well. 

Since the first film was brought out in 1974 there has been 6 remakes and follow ups of the film and another one on the way in 2015. There was also a Atari video-game launched in 1982 and a series of comics released aswell. Leatherface being included in all of these. The characteristics of Leatherface barely changes throughout the remakes of the film, slight changes to the detail of the face masks, for a more realistic feel, and more blood splattering costumes. The famous chainsaw has held its own throughout the films aswell.

The trailer for the 1974 Texas Chainsaw Massacre film.

The trailer for the 2013 Texas Chainsaw Massacre film.

As you can see, they don't change the villain at all apart from making it more detailed, there are also references to the first film in the new film as well so the viewers do not get confused. The key qualities of the character are all still there, with the mask and the chainsaw, it just has been reinvented to their taste, and evolved into a better and more iconic character in my opinion, Also making him one of the most scariest horror characters of all time.