15 Interesting Facts :-
-
Script Leak Controversy: Tarantino almost abandoned the project entirely after the original screenplay leaked online. He ultimately revised it and moved forward.
-
Stage Play Origins: Tarantino initially envisioned the story as a stage play and even held a live reading with actors before committing to film.
-
The Return of 70mm: Tarantino insisted on shooting with Ultra Panavision 70mm, a format rarely used since the 1960s, giving the film an epic, expansive aesthetic.
-
Freezing for Art: Most of the film was shot on location in Colorado, with cast and crew enduring brutal winter conditions for authenticity.
-
Blood and Goop: The special effects team created over 3,000 gallons of realistic fake blood for the film’s notoriously violent scenes.
-
Jennifer Jason Leigh’s Dedication: Leigh learned to play guitar for her role as Daisy Domergue and even insisted on being genuinely chained for certain scenes.
-
Score Trouble: Ennio Morricone, Tarantino’s frequent collaborator, initially refused but then won an Oscar for his original score.
-
One-Room Mystery: Much of the movie takes place in a single location, Minnie’s Haberdashery, ramping up the tension and claustrophobia.
-
Kurt Russell’s Mustache: Russell’s impressive, bushy mustache was his own, adding to the authentic Western feel of his character.
-
The Long Runtime: “The Hateful Eight” boasts an extended runtime (almost 3 hours), released as both a standard theatrical cut and a “Roadshow” version with an overture and intermission.
-
Inspired by Westerns and Beyond: Tarantino drew heavily from classic Westerns but also cited the board game “Clue” and television’s “The Virginian” as inspirations.
-
Chapter Structure: The film is divided into distinct chapters, a signature Tarantino device, heightening the narrative momentum.
-
Ensemble at its Finest: The film relies on a strong group of veteran actors, each delivering memorable, idiosyncratic performances.
-
Samuel L. Jackson Link: Tarantino has a penchant for using Jackson as a frequent collaborator, making “The Hateful Eight” their sixth movie together.
-
Minnie’s Absence: The character of Minnie, whose haberdashery becomes the central location, is never actually seen on screen.
Behind the scenes stories.
Introduction
Quentin Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight” is a masterclass in tension. It’s a film of biting dialogue, sudden violence, and long-simmering suspicion. Let’s venture behind the scenes and into the frozen wilderness to explore the challenges and controversies involved in bringing this unique Western to life.
Challenges: Weather, Filming Format, and More
- Frigid Reality: Colorado’s unpredictable weather often disrupted filming, leading to delays and testing the endurance of cast and crew.
- Ultra Panavision 70: The format required specialized lenses and equipment, adding logistical complexities.
- Location Woes: Minnie’s Haberdashery was a meticulously built set within a mountain lodge, creating its own spatial challenges for filming.
Accidents and Grit
While no major accidents plagued the set, the physically demanding shoot undoubtedly took a toll. Kurt Russell accidentally smashed an antique guitar during a scene (not the one used in earlier parts of the film). The cast endured the cold to deliver the look Tarantino strived for.
Anecdotes: Script Leaks, Dedication, and Tarantinian Tension
- The Leak Fallout: Tarantino’s near-cancellation led to a live script reading event. It built hype and ultimately, defiance against the leak.
- Daisy’s Authenticity: Jennifer Jason Leigh’s commitment to the role, including getting roughed up on camera, highlights the cast’s intensity.
Released Date: December 25, 2015 (limited release), December 30, 2015 (wide release)
Genre: Western, Mystery
Detail Plot: Years after the Civil War, a blizzard forces a group of strangers to take shelter in a remote mountain stopover. Among them are two bounty hunters, John Ruth (Kurt Russell) and Major Marquis Warren (Samuel L. Jackson), their fugitive Daisy Domergue (Jennifer Jason Leigh), and a man claiming to be the town’s new sheriff (Walton Goggins). As tensions rise and buried connections emerge, lies, betrayal, and violence erupt.
Cast
- Samuel L. Jackson as Major Marquis Warren
- Kurt Russell as John “The Hangman” Ruth
- Jennifer Jason Leigh as Daisy Domergue
- Walton Goggins as Chris Mannix
- Demián Bichir as Bob (“The Mexican”)
- Tim Roth as Oswaldo Mobray (“The Englishman”)
- Michael Madsen as Joe Gage (“The Cow Puncher”)
- Bruce Dern as General Sanford Smithers
Crew
- Director: Quentin Tarantino
- Writer: Quentin Tarantino
- Producer: Richard N. Gladstein, Stacey Sher, Shannon McIntosh
- Cinematographer: Robert Richardson
- Composer: Ennio Morricone
Public Rating
- IMDb: 7.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 75% (89% audience score)
Reviews
Generally positive, praising Tarantino’s direction, the performances, cinematography, and tense atmosphere. Some criticism focused on violent content and the portrayal of race relations.
Trivia
- It is the eighth film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino
- The original script contained a different (and much darker) ending.
- The film was nominated for three Oscars and won one for Ennio Morricone’s score.
Notable Quotes
- “When you get to hell, tell them Daisy sent you.” – Daisy Domergue
- “I only trust the dead.” – John Ruth
- “One of them fellas is not what he says he is.” – Major Marquis Warren
- “Justice delivered without dispassion is always in danger of not being justice.” – Oswaldo Mobray
Budget and Box Office Collection
- Budget: $44 – 62 million
- Box Office: $156 million
Awards, Nominations, or Achievements
- Academy Award: Best Original Score
- Golden Globe Award: Best Supporting Actress (Jennifer Jason Leigh)
- BAFTA Award: Best Original Score
- Numerous nominations from critic’s associations and film festivals