Kill Bill: Volumes 1 and 2 & the Whole Bloody Affair (Quentin Tarantino, 2003-2004)

[Noiretirc]

So nobody saw this yet, huh? (Or is there a Kill Bill thread?)

I live in Hicksville. That's my excuse.

[pianocrash]

The more I've heard about it, the less I've been inclined to spend $13.88 after taxes (flyover state perks!) to see four hours of this, which I've always adored as two brilliant, separate films (as both an act of compromise & grasp of time-stretching the narrative of the whole story).

I admit I was very intrigued when the Japanese blu ray was available so many years ago, but I'm not sure what purpose rereleasing this edition of the films right now, aside from QT just being able to do so without the Weinsteins involved anymore on the business end (also: Fortnite cash grab :-# ).

Also, I cannot imagine this movie not beginning with the Klingon proverb, so maybe I have my priorities in a different place than all the people having their minds blown by 4.25hrs in one go :-k

itsthechildrenwhoarewrong.gif

[FrauBlucher]

Tarantino trashes Paul Dano
During the same podcast he did the same to Owen Wilson and
Matthew Lillard

[therewillbeblus]

Tarantino trashes Paul Dano
During the same podcast he did the same to Owen Wilson and
Matthew Lillard

Already being discussed here

[FrauBlucher]

Why private?

[Noiretirc]

Well, that was Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair then.

Anyone fancy a pint?

[therewillbeblus]

And if so, what is the point? I say as a fan of the originals, which I put second in the QT filmography.

This is a much, much better film when consumed this way. There are decisions made around the end of part 1 and beginning of part 2 that make it a much stronger experience overall, in my view. It's absolutely worth the effort expended here.

Absolutely - the way The Bride and Bill's relationship is fleshed out in Chapter Six, with just a bit more lingering on their outside encounter and the added double kiss (the return back to him for another is surprisingly powerful) before the shooting makes a huge difference, as does a lot of the Final Chapter

Spoiler

Speaking of which, the decision to withhold the 'twist' is obviously a better choice, but the relationship between Beatrix and her daughter is given so much more time and content in that last chapter. From the opening toy gunfight to their time spent curling up together, it just breathes. I loved the additions to the goldfish story - which now feels cheap and superfluous in the original version, since the entire purpose of the story is cut... the dichotomy of life and death, with life as floundering alone on the floor, representing Beatrix's loneliness. And then there's Bill and Beatrix's subsequent exchanges on her loneliness and their dynamics and history that enrich the relationship so much more. I believe there's also an additional question asked in the 'truth serum' bit about Beatrix enjoying all the killing, and her painful affirmation is devastating, working in great contrast to her motherly identity.

I dunno, I could go on but I was really floored by how emotional The Whole Bloody Affair is compared to the original cuts. It's still primarily a vibrant action pastiche, but it seemed like Tarantino sucked most of the emotional core out of the movie in the original versions. The tones are well-balanced and fuller here.

The additional animation scene is fine. It's outrageous and shouldn't be included beyond maybe a deleted scene extra, as it doesn't flow as well when we transition into O-Ren's adulthood, but it's a fun inclusion. I noticed a bunch of other small additions that were also worth cutting (especially watching Budd and his friend nailing the coffin, just witnessing it viscerally from her perspective was much more effective), though I liked the extended Esteban scene. Some of the music cues are a bit off in The Whole Bloody Affair, clearly tightened up for the theatrical versions, but it wasn't bothersome.

As to the quality of the 70mm print, I thought it looked pretty bad. No better than the compromised blu-ray or 4K transfers, especially in the early scenes. But the film itself is wonderful and now I just want to watch this version forever

[Zot!]

Thanks for that review, therewillbeblus. And though I don't think you mean it that way, but it feels like pretty faint praise unfortunately, with what sounds little more than a fully-fatted version....but I am intrigued by your and mfunk's insistence that the dramatic elements are hugely elevated by the revised structure....even with an intermission. They kind of botched promoting any kind of 70mm/35mm screenings in major metros. Just trying to find out where the film screenings are was painful.

[Lowry_Sam]

Just trying to find out where the film screenings are was painful.

Not to mention the price, almost $40 for the 70mm in SF.

[Noiretirc]

Hmmm. Maybe the chances of a Disc release go up if even us forumites are pained trying to see this!?

I'm especially interested in the extension of the Esteban scene. I still struggle with the why of this scene in KB2. Hopefully the new presentation confirms or realigns my theories.

[Lowry_Sam]

2nd week the SF Alamo Drafthouse has a Baby Day Matinee 70mm screening for $11, go figure.

AGE POLICY: All minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Children ages 6+ admitted. Children 5 and under (including infants) are ONLY admitted during specifically designated "All Ages" and "Family Friendly" screenings.

Watch with screaming babies and children running around and save almost $30.

[Noiretirc]

...But...the bloodbath...now in colour...

[therewillbeblus]

It's not just in color, there's even more material in the fight sequence

[JamesF]

I saw the 35mm print in London on Sunday and while I haven’t seen the controversial 4Ks of the other two films, was pretty shocked by how blotchy and smeary much of the film looked right from the start, so can’t imagine how a 70mm blow-up would fare! I’d watched a pretty good fan recreation of TWBA earlier this year so had been somewhat spoilt for this, but as TWWB notes above, there are other smaller extensions throughout beyond the additional anime sequence (fun but totally superfluous) and what was on the Japanese DVDs.

I have to say, QT’s griping about Paul Dano being “weak sauce” in There Will Be Blood feels pretty ironic given the last couple of viewings of Kill Bill cemented me the feeling that his fatal miscalculation in the second half is the casting of David Carradine, who totally stinks up the joint in comparison to Thurman, who works overtime to hold the whole thing together. Now if only Michael Parks had played Bill…

[domino harvey]

Once you realize the part was written for Beatty, it’s hard to not see what he would have done with it

[therewillbeblus]

Part of what works about Carradine's performance for me is that his demeanor seems so harmless, even sweet, but also not particularly endearing, so there's a mystery we're not privy to of why is he so hated, dangerous, and attractive to people throughout the world. That gives him a mysterious quality that then becomes both attractive and softly frightening. Beatty probably would've pulled the same thing off, though.

I do think that The Whole Bloody Affair's additions to Carradine's scenes in Part Six and Ten completely change the relationship between him and The Bride to an affecting degree. He's more of a non-entity in the original cuts, but his pain and love are clearer here, just as The Bride's are

[Mr Sausage]

Carradine also brings a cultural weight to the pastiche. Like Gordon Liu and Sonny Chiba he’s martial arts royalty. And at the same time, casting him as the bad guy is like Leone casting Henry Fonda as the bad guy in OUATITW. So while there may’ve been better actors, few of them could bring such an appropriate cinematic shadow.

[beamish14]

So, for those of us who have seen the French-subtitled Cannes cut of The Whole Bloody Affair, it doesn’t seem like there is much to warrant splurging on this unless you’re truly dying for Production I.G.’s new sequence?

[hearthesilence]

Carradine also brings a cultural weight to the pastiche. Like Gordon Liu and Sonny Chiba he’s martial arts royalty. And at the same time, casting him as the bad guy is like Leone casting Henry Fonda as the bad guy in OUATITW. So while there may’ve been better actors, few of them could bring such an appropriate cinematic shadow.

This is one reason why it’s such a surprise to hear that Beatty was the preferred choice, but it would’ve been interesting to see Beatty - it probably would’ve been the stylistically boldest film he’s done since the 1960s.

[Noiretirc]

Once you realize the part was written for Beatty, it’s hard to not see what he would have done with it

I must confess that it is hard for me to imagine anyone other than Carradine in this. To each their own, but James F is clearly not seeing what I see. And if, as TWBB states, Carradine is expanded here, then I'm all in for this.

[Zot!]

Carradine also brings a cultural weight to the pastiche. Like Gordon Liu and Sonny Chiba he’s martial arts royalty. And at the same time, casting him as the bad guy is like Leone casting Henry Fonda as the bad guy in OUATITW. So while there may’ve been better actors, few of them could bring such an appropriate cinematic shadow.

This is one reason why it’s such a surprise to hear that Beatty was the preferred choice, but it would’ve been interesting to see Beatty - it probably would’ve been the stylistically boldest film he’s done since the 1960s.

Agreed that Beatty would have been interesting, and very different, I didn't know he was the first choice. Dick Tracy had plenty of style, but not much else....this role might have helped wipe that particular slate clean. Oh well, Carradine is totally fine ultimately, if a bit reserved in the role, and as mentioned is an icon himself. It's ultimately a Thurman vehicle, and she does well.

[flyonthewall2983]

I heard Kevin Costner was in contention at some point too for Bill

[beamish14]

I heard Kevin Costner was in contention at some point too for Bill

Yes. He likely dropped out due to Open Range (still probably his best film, or at least neck and neck with Wyatt Earp)

[aox]

Wyatt Earp is a Lawrence Kasdan film.

I'm a big Costner fan for the most part, but I don't see him in this role.

[beamish14]

Wyatt Earp is a Lawrence Kasdan film

Oh, I know. I just meant as a vehicle for him (and he did produce it)