Gunnar Hansen. Whether you know the name or not, you will know his most iconic role. Gunnar played the original Leatherface in Tobe Hooper’s 1974 masterpiece The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. However, there was a lot more to the man behind the mask. Michael Kallio’s Dinner with Leatherface is the perfect documentary to learn about who Gunnar really was. It’s steeped in personal stories, experiences, and footage from his friends, colleagues, and Gunnar himself. Almost a decade since his passing, this doc supplies us with a beautiful retrospective of Gunnar’s personal and professional life, looking into not just his role as Leatherface but his other performances in the indie horror industry.
This film is clearly the product of love and admiration, with Kallio dedicating eight years to its production, ensuring he does Gunnar’s legacy justice. He has achieved that and then some. He wasn’t just the man with the chainsaw, he was multifaceted and in Kallio’s own words “a walking documentary”.
Overall, Dinner With Leatherface has the rugged indie charm that we’ve loved and seen in many of Gunnar’s roles. It stays true to the roots that were initially put down when Gunnar started in the industry. You’ll come out feeling reinvigorated, passionate, and hopefully oozing in the same zest for life Gunnar had. It’ll sit as a reminder to spend time with your friends because, ultimately, life is short. Be like Gunnar, filled with ideas, stories, and true kindness.
