What is a western?
A Western is a genre of various arts, such as film,
television, radio, fiction and art. Westerns are devoted to telling stories set
primarily in the later half of the 19th century in the American Old West, hence
the name. Many feature cowboys, bandits, lawmen, soldiers and Indians, as well
as spectacular mountain scenery.
What is a spaghetti western?
A Spaghetti western or Italian western is a sub-genre of
western films that emerged in the 1960's. The term was used by critics due to
the fact that the films were produced and directed by Italians. These movies
were originally released in Italian, but as most of the films featured
multilingual casts and sound was post-synched, most "western
all'italiana" do not have an official dominant language. Most Spaghetti Westerns were made on low
budgets, using inexpensive locales. Many of the stories take place in the semiarid
landscapes of the American South West and Northern Mexico.
What is a blaxploitation film?
Blaxploitation or is a film genre that emerged in the United
States in the 1970s. It is considered an ethnic sub-genre of the general
category of exploitation films. Blaxploitation films were originally made
specifically for an urban black audience, although the genre's audience appeal
soon broadened across racial and ethnic lines.
Blaxploitation films were the first to regularly feature soundtracks of
funk and soul music as well as primarily black casts.
Which three films does Django Unchained take its name from?
Django Unchained takes its name from a variety of classic
western films. The first is the 1966 western 'Django.' Whilst producing 'Django
Unchained', director Tarantino opted to name his lead character after the
original, as well as using the same opening theme tune. Actor Franco Nero, who
played the original 'Django', also plays a cameo role in Tarantino's movie. The
second film which 'Django Unchained' developed its name from is the 1959 Western
titled 'Hercules Unchained'. Another inspiration which is clear to see in the
'Django Unchained' is the 1975 film 'Mandingo' which features black American
slaves who are trained to fight other slaves. Tarantino also included scenes in
the snow as a homage to the 1968 western 'The Great Silence'.
Why does Franco Nero appear in the film and what is the
significance of the dialogue with Jamie Foxx?
Nero appeared in the film due to the fact that Tarantino is
a huge fan of the original 1966 film. Tarantino gave Nero a cameo appearance to
highlight the post modernism of the film. Whilst appearing in the film, Nero
and Foxx exchange words during the bar scene. Nero, who plays the character of
a Mandingo slaver walks to bar and asks Foxx what his name is, Foxx replies
with his name, i which Nero responds "Can you spell it?" Foxx's
character then replies with "D-J-A-N-G-O, the D is silent." At this
point Nero's character stares blankly at Foxx and replies with the words
"I Know." This particular piece of dialogue is extremely significant
as it highlights the importance of Nero's role, and clearly portrays to the
audience that he was the original Django.
What song plays over the final credits and how does this
film connect to the original film 'Django'?
'Trinity' by Titoli is the song which plays over the final
credits of 'Django Unchained'. This particular song connects with both the
story of the movie, as well as the original 'Django', as this piece of music
gives 'Django Unchained' the spaghetti western feel, which allows it to connect
with the 1966 version.
Which other song from 'Django' features in 'Django
Unchained' ?
The song which features in both movies is the Django theme
song. Whilst producing the film, director Tarantino opted to use the same
opening song, produced by American singer Rocky Roberts and Argentinian-Italian
composer Luis Bacalov, to once again
give his movie the typical spaghetti western feel.
Who or what is Mr Ed?
Mr Ed or Mister Ed was an American comedy television
programme which aired from 1961-1966. The show featured a talking horse and
various other comedy characters.
What is the significance of the red mask worn by Zoe Bell as
Django murders the killers of d'Artangnan?
The red mask worn by Zoe Bell during 'Django Unchained' is
in fact a significant aspect of Mise En Scene. The red mask appears moments
before mass violence and death occurs in the film. The colour of the mask is
used to connote a variety of different things, including blood and danger. The
red mask appears on a number of occasions throughout the film. It first appears
when the group are travelling to Candie land, and Di Caprio's character has a
Mandingo slave attacked by a pack of viscous dogs. The red mask appears once
more when Django seeks revenge, and attacks d'Artangnan's killers.
The name of the saloon which Django and Dr Schultz drink in
is called Minnesota Clay, why?
Minnesota clay is a 1965 spaghetti western which was
directed by Sergio Corbucci, the director of 'Django' and 'The Great Silence.'
Whilst filming Django Unchained, Tarantino opted to name the bar after this
film to pay tribute to Corubucci and add another one of his references into the
film.
Who Is Ennio Morricone?
Ennio Morricone is an Italian composer, orchestrator and
conductor, who has written movies for over 500 motion picture and television
series. His career includes a wide range of composition genres, making him one
of the world's most versatile, prolific and influential film composers of all
time. Morricone's music has been used in more than 60 award-winning films.
What connects him to both Django Unchained and director
Sergio Corbucci?
Morricone's music has been reused for television and in
movies including Quentin Tarantino films such as Kill Bill Vol. 1, Inglorious
Basterds and Django Unchained.
What is the significance of the name Von Shaft?
It was noted by Quentin Tarantino during the 2012 Comic-Con
panel that Broomhilda von Shaft and Django Freeman from his movie Django
Unchained are intended as the great-great-great-great grandparents of John
Shaft, from the Shaft movie series. Shaft is a 1971 American Blaxploitation
film directed by Gordon Parks, released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. An action film
with elements of film noir, Shaft tells the story of a private detective, John
Shaft, who travels through Harlem and to the Italian mob neighbourhoods in
order to find the missing daughter of a black mobster.
What TV western does Django's western style outfit pay homage to?
Whilst choosing the costumes for Django, Tarantino took
inspiration from the western TV show Bonanza. When Dr. Schultz and Django begin
their bounty hunting, Django is pictured wearing a green shirt, cream trousers
and a brown cowboy hat. This outfit is virtually identical to the one used in
Bonanza.
