Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained" -- The Dark(er) Side of the Old, Weird America

Destroy the Brain offers an exciting and very very interesting script review by Michael Haffner of Quentin Tarantino's DJANGO UNCHAINED, anticipated as the filmmaker's unique take on the spaghetti western -- and slavery -- in 19th century America.

However, Haffner observes: "while it is said by many to be Tarantino’s take on the “spaghetti-western” films that served as an inspiration for him.  Though it includes nods to the genre made famous by Sergio Leone, it doesn’t exactly fit into this category.  In a lot of ways, it feels more like a  period-piece, character drama than anything else.  Sure, it takes place in the west and includes a few well staged gun-fights, but based on the structure of this script, never did I feel it would fit in that genre.  Like most of Tarantino’s scripts, it relies way too much on a larger cast of “colorful” characters to ever feel the gritty loneliness of “The Man With No Name” films.  This, I feel, is completely intentional.  Tarantino has set out to make his own film that incorporates elements of this gritty west, while also wanting to make a film that captures the times of the slavery movement in the south.  This script is much more concerned with recreating this landscape of hate, racism, and greed, than recreating iconic large-scale gun battles. .. It details this disgusting world so vividly that it will without a doubt offend people.  There is no doubt about it. "

Mr. Haffner's excellent full review appears here

DITHOB's Two Cents:  This script and concept seems to fit snugly with the entire Tarantino oeuvre, as well as the director's rumored "John Brown" film. Like roots music, Bob Dylan, and outsider/folk art, Tarantino seems to be peering under the wagon tarp to get a good look at American culture today by givings its antecedents a good going over. You've got to be in it to win it.