The Hateful Eight (Tarantino, 2015) – Movie Review

Originally conceived as a sequel to his hit western, and my favourite of his, Django Unchained. However, upon further thought, Tarantino didn’t wish to ruin Django’s perfect ending and so went on to create a wholly original idea. The Hateful Eight released in 2015 and featured a heavy hitting cast featuring Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Michael Marsden, and Channing Tatum, among others. So, let’s take a look at The Hateful Eight…

Details of The Hateful Eight

Distributor: The Weinstein Company
Production Companies: The Weinstein Company, Shiny Penny, Film Colony, Double Feature Films, & Visiona Romantica Inc
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Producers: Richard N. Gladstein, Stacey Sher, & Shannon McIntosh

Scriptwriters: Quentin Tarantino

Main Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Demian Bichir, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Bruce Dern, James Parks, & Channing Tatum

Released: 25th December 2015

Running Time:  210 Minutes (Extended Version)
Certificate: 18

Story of The Hateful Eight

Set years after the Civil War, the story starts with a travelling bounty hunter on his way to take a bounty to town.  When he stumbles across another bounty hunter wandering in the snow. On happen chance, the two know each other. Uneasily, he allows him in the cart. Along the road they come across another traveller. Someone who claims their meant to be appointed Sheriff of the town the bounty’s at- Red Rock. Of course, the two bounty hunters don’t believe him. The travel forth, visiting a local stagecoach stop they both have frequented before. Only for the regular workers not to be anywhere in sight. The only people at the shop are strangers. With a blizzard blowing fierce outside they have no choice but to wait out the storm inside.

Unknown to the bounty hunters, the bounty their travelling with has had their gang setup a rescue. They have killed the owners of the stop and are waiting on enacting their plan. Pure and utter chaos ensues. With the audience unclear as to when **** is going to hit the fan. Something Tarantino excels at.

Analysis of The Hateful Eight

Cast of Characters

Like all Tarantino films the characters shine throughout. Delivering many memorable lines, actions, and fights/arguments. The cast all performed perfectly. I really loved the opening dynamic between the two bounty hunters and Daisy. All three actors/actresses play brilliantly off each other. With it being a Western the added dynamic between everyone is trust. No one can tell who is telling the truth, and who isn’t. Everyone has something to risk, but who is trying to take it? You can see the characters try to analyse one another as they deduce what their deal is. The unease creates a tension so thick it couldn’t be cut with a diamond-bit chainsaw. All the while you’re at the edge of your seat unsure which second it’s all going to ignite like a powder keg. Any moment could be it and you’ll be damned if you miss it!

The Letter from the President

Samuel L Jackson’s character is shown from early on to be in possession of a very important letter. A letter from President Lincoln himself. Reportedly only one of several. As he “was pen pals with him,” as said by the other bounty hunter. This is later revealed to be a lie, something he created to help white people trust him. As he mentions folks don’t give him the benefit of the doubt a lot. However, a black man with a letter from Lincoln tends to get looked upon more favorably. It was his secret weapon. Something cleverly created to elevate his position in the eyes of problematic racists.

Summary of The Hateful Eight

Tarantino has clearly found a genre he excels at. Django Unchained and The Hateful Eight are some of the best westerns of all time. And for damn sure the best modern day westerns. The Hateful Eight somehow even manages to have better characters than Django Unchained. With the film being centred around a bunch of characters and their mistrust of each other. Characters was given more time to shine.  Plus more dialogue to reveal more about their character, backstory and possibly intentions. The number of twists and turns in this film has it looking like a Hotwheels track. Each one has you get pulled into the story more and more. Until finally the explosive climax brings the amazing film to a fiery end.

Overall Rating: 10 – Masterpiece!

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