It didn't take long after his first film that Quentin Tarantino became one of the most well-known directors of the modern era. He's a filmmaker with a storied history, despite only directing nine feature films thus far in his career (if you consider Kill Bill as one film). He has written and brought to life some of the most iconic characters ever to be put on film and is a master of appropriating lesser-known films and combining them into Frankenstein's monster-like amalgams.
His films are as successful and praised as they are, at times, controversial. One thing that can be said about each one of his projects is that they have a defining scene or scenes that stand out as a timeless little moment that's self-contained and special. These are the most essential moments in Quentin Tarantino's films.
The following list may contain spoilers.
10 The Ear-Slicing Scene in Reservoir Dogs Reservoir Dogs R Where to Watch streamrentbuy
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*Availability in US Release Date September 2, 1992 Director Quentin Tarantino Cast Harvey Keitel , Tim Roth , Michael Madsen , Chris Penn , Steve Buscemi , Lawrence Tierney Writers Quentin Tarantino , Roger Avary Studio Artisan Entertainment
This feature film directorial debut and breakout movie for Quentin Tarantino, Reservoir Dogs features some of the most intense and cool gangster moments in crime film history. One of those moments comes when Mr. Blonde, brother of Pulp Fiction's Vincent Vega, is having his way with a police officer being held hostage.
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Dancing around to the hit song "Stuck in the Middle With You," Mr. Blonde proceeds to mentally and physically torture the police officer, going as far as slicing off the officer's ear and comically talking into it. The scene is brutal in nature and announces to the world that Tarantino, as a feature director, is here to wreak havoc on Hollywood. You can stream Reservoir Dogs on Freevee.
9 Vincent and Jules Arrive at the Apartment in Pulp Fiction Pulp Fiction R Where to Watch streamrentbuy
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*Availability in US Release Date September 10, 1994 Director Quentin Tarantino Cast John Travolta , Samuel L. Jackson , Tim Roth , Amanda Plummer , Eric Stoltz , Bruce Willis Main Genre Crime
"I will execute great vengeance on them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I lay My vengeance upon them." - Ezekiel 25:17. A simple bible verse spoken by Samuel L. Jackson's Jules Winnfield in Pulp Fiction.
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There is a lot that stands out about this classic film, but perhaps nothing more so than the image of Samuel L. Jackson, dressed in a suit, gun pointed out and ready to fire. It's a solid screenwriting masterclass that turns little comic details into tension and ultimately gasp-inducing violence. It's a prototype of sorts for many future Tarantino scenes that incorporate the eccentricities of one unnerving character with comic reactions before introducing violence.
8 O'ren Ishii's Origins in Kill Bill Vol. 1 Kill Bill Vol. 1 R Where to Watch streamrentbuy
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*Availability in US Release Date October 10, 2003 Director Quentin Tarantino Cast Uma Thurman , Lucy Liu , Vivica A. Fox , Daryl Hannah , David Carradine , Michael Madsen Main Genre Action
All of Tarantino's films have something experimental about them. He often throws in some curious soundtrack choices and makes his movies visually unique. However, for Kill Bill Vol. 1, Tarantino would find a way to add a format to what was already a very original film. This is the iconic anime scene in the martial arts film.
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In "Chapter 3: The Origin of O-Ren," the director uses the animated format to bend and almost shatter the rules. In this segment of the film, we explore the past of O-Ren Ishii, a Yakuza leader who had previously been part of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad (the ones in charge of almost killing the Bride). The anime sequence shows a child swearing revenge after seeing her parents get brutally killed by Yakuza bosses and the outcome that turns her into one of the world's greatest assassins.
7 The Bar Scene in Inglourious Basterds Inglourious Basterds R Where to Watch streamrentbuy
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*Availability in US Release Date August 19, 2009 Director Quentin Tarantino Cast Brad Pitt , Mélanie Laurent , Christoph Waltz , Eli Roth , Michael Fassbender , Diane Kruger Main Genre Adventure
In one of the many noteworthy scenes in the war movie Inglourious Basterds, the American crew known as the Basterds team up with Lt. Archie Hicox in order to gather some intel that will allow them to make their final movie in another operation called "Kino" (i.e. "cinema"). They must meet a double agent in La Louisiane.
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Bridget von Hammersmark is in the bar with some Nazi officials, and the rendezvous turns into a very, very tense gathering where, eventually, the Germans find out Bridget's guests are not exactly Nazis. The bloodshed that follows is an action sequence that will leave you shaking as you try to figure out the physics behind Tarantino's design of the scene.
6 The Club Fight in Kill Bill Vol. 1 Close
The Bride's fight with the Crazy 88s towards the end of Kill Bill Vol. 1 is one of the most brutal and blood-filled battle scenes ever seen. As she brutally and methodically takes down the members of the gang, she does so with violent precision. From the blood-soaked scene to the classic yellow and black jumper, everything about this moment is essential viewing for any Tarantino fan or a fan of film in general.
An Exceptional Display of Martial Arts Cinema
Sure, the bloodshed is gloriously exaggerated to appeal to martial arts fans, but Tarantino also uses the scene to prove his craftmanship at accomplishing impossible camera moves that blend well with a plethora of homages that he condenses into one of his best third acts.
5 Colonel Handa's Intro in Inglourious Basterds Close
Inglourious Basterds is considered by many to be Quentin Tarantino's masterpiece as a filmmaker, and that is surely hard to disagree with. From the opening scene, you can tell the director is firing on all cylinders. It is that very opening scene that encompasses everything that makes a Quentin Tarantino film great. Tension-filled dialogue, elements of humor, intended or not, and, of course, violence. Throw in Christoph Waltz's Oscar-winning performance as Hans Landa, and you have all the elements of essential viewing.
How to Introduce a Character?
In the scene, Colonel Hans Landa interrogates a man who lives in the middle of nowhere in the French countryside. Landa suspects he may be harboring Jewish refugees, but Monsieur LaPadite bravely holds himself. The problem is that the film's character is a ruthless monster with a sadistic drive to play with his food before exterminating his enemies.
4 Doing Some Business in Django Unchained Django Unchained R Release Date December 25, 2012 Director Quentin Tarantino Cast Leonardo DiCaprio , Jonah Hill , Samuel L. Jackson , Jamie Foxx , Kerry Washington , Christoph Waltz Main Genre Adventure
Leonardo DiCaprio's performance as Calvin Candie in Django Unchained is one of the best bad guy performances in any of Quentin Tarantino's films and helped to create one of the most vile men ever to be put on screen.
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DiCaprio, who is typically cast as the good guy, plays the bad so well in the film and no better than towards the film's climax after he discovers he has had the wool pulled over his eyes by Django and Dr. King Schultz. Going on a vicious rant regarding a former slave his father owned when he was a kid, Calvin Candie's intensity progresses to a fever pitch before smashing a glass with his bare hand. Something DiCaprio was legitimately injured on as his hand was sliced open. Despite the cut to his hand, the actor continued delivering his lines, which is the final version seen in the film. You can stream Django Unchained on The Roku Channel.
3 The Theater Scene in Inglourious Basterds Close
In the film's introduction to the third act, the Basterds manage to attend the premiere of a propaganda film in the theater known as La Gamaar. The cinema is run by none other than Shoshanna, the Jewish survivor living undercover and planning her own revenge against the Nazis.
Changing History With Cinema
Operation Kino begins right as the lights dim for the showing of "Nation's Pride." Colonel Landa is probably aware that the Basterds are there, but he manages to escape the massacre. Shoshanna decides to burn down her theater if it means sacrificing Nazi souls. In the sequence, Tarantino literally changes history using the cinema, as the Basterds are able to exterminate Adolf Hitler as the flames engulf what's left of hundreds of Germans.
2 The Ranch Scene in Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood Once Upon a Time in Hollywood R Where to Watch streamrentbuy
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*Availability in US Release Date July 24, 2019 Director Quentin Tarantino Cast Margot Robbie , Brad Pitt , Leonardo DiCaprio , Damon Herriman , Dakota Fanning , Sydney Sweeney Main Genre Crime
Cliff Booth's arrival at the Spahn Ranch in Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood has been called by Tarantino as one of the best things he's ever accomplished on film. It's the most terrifying scene in the movie that's anything but horror and the director recognizes it completely changes the mood, because for the first time he plays with the idea that one of the film's main characters will possibly die.
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Cliff's car pulls over, and the cult members get alarmed by his presence. The wide shots, the gritty setting, and the sound design make us feel we're in the middle of a Western stand-off. The tension builds up when Cliff asks for the ranch's owner. Suddenly, he realizes he's surrounded and walks over to where the owner might be. A lack of answers and a girl's shady attitude make Cliff think something's off. Eventually, he finds George and realizes the old man is alive and well. Rick Dalton's stunt double walks off and attempts to leave, when he sees one of his tires is slashed. The girls protest when Cliff forces one of the few men present to change his tire, and he leaves before Charlie's minion, Tex, can arrive to serve justice.
1 Vincent and Mia's Date Progression Into "Death" in Pulp Fiction Close
Pulp Fiction is chocked full of classic scenes and imagery throughout its uniquely structured story. One of the most essential moments comes during Vincent Vega and Mia Wallace's dinner at a 1950s-themed restaurant, Jack Rabbit Slims. Deciding to enter a "Do the Twist" contest, the two proceed to showcase their dance moves on stage, with the hit man beginning to fall for his boss' girlfriend.
The Love That Never Was
It's an iconic dance scene that then flows into a hallucinatory nightmare after Vega takes her home, and she overdoses on his drugs. He decides to seek the help of his dealers in a quickly edited adrenaline rush of a scene (no pun intended). Mia is ultimately brought back to life with a now iconic needle-stabbing scene that shoots adrenaline directly into her chest, with the dying woman waking up in a sweaty gasp, and one of the best examples of why Tarantino is a master at his craft, regardless of who he steals from.