Pulp Fiction: The Complete Story of Quentin Tarantino's Masterpiece

by Jason Bailey

When Pulp Fiction was released in theaters in 1994, it was immediately hailed as a masterpiece. The New York Times called it a "triumphant, cleverly disorienting journey," and thirty-one-year-old Quentin Tarantino, with just three feature films to his name, became a the next great American director. Nearly twenty years later, those who proclaimed Pulp Fiction an instant classic have been proven irrefutably right. In Pulp The Complete Story of Quentin Tarantino's Masterpiece , film expert Jason Bailey explores why Pulp Fiction is such a brilliant and influential film. He discusses how the movie was revolutionary in its use of dialogue ("You can get a steak here, daddy-o," "Correct-amundo"), time structure, and cinematography--and how it completely transformed the industry and artistry of independent cinema. He examines Tarantino's influences, illuminates the film's pop culture references, and describes its phenomenal legacy. Unforgettable characters like Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson), Vincent Vega (John Travolta), Butch Coolidge (Bruce Willis), and Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman) are scrutinized from all-new angles, and memorable scenes--Christopher Walken's gold watch monologue, Vince's explanation of French cuisine--are analyzed and celebrated. Much like the contents of Marcellus Wallace's briefcase, Pulp Fiction is mysterious and spectacular. Illustrated throughout with original art inspired by the film, with sidebars and special features on everything from casting close calls to deleted scenes, this is the most comprehensive, in-depth book on Pulp Fiction ever published.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, Media Tie In, Pop Culture

200 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Tressa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this big book jam-packed with facts about Quentin Tarantino and how his movie Pulp Fiction came into existence, was cast, and got made.

[Roman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Интересная подборка фактов о культовой классике Тарантино. История создания сценария, подбора актеров, съемок, деталей проката, список отсылок на другие фильмы и так далее. Оформлено все красиво, от прочтения кайфанул.

[Ben Malczewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would’ve thought a book could outdo any DVD or interactive video assemblage on a film or filmmaker? Bailey (film editor, Flavorwire) not only culls the complete story of Quentin Tarantino’s most influential work (arguably his masterpiece) but does so with visual panache and verbal wit and style using Tarantino techniques such as nonlinear structure, cutaways, and enlightening reveals. The book provides an immersive treasure trove of illusory and original photos, posters, maps, and infographics, thereby making local and linear the film’s nonchronological order. There are album covers, product labels, pulp film posters, and book jackets, not to mention guest essays (on music, pulp novels, the F-word, and blaxploitation). Even those who are not fans of Tarantino must acknowledge that cinema has never been the same since Pulp Fiction, with its eccentric characters, deadpan violence, Rashomon-like revisitations of scene and perspective, metamovie commentary, and small-talk dialog—and Bailey eruditely reveals why. In the same manner as Q.T., he makes us more cinematically aware and intelligent viewers in the process. http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/201...

[Matthew Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Movie geeks like me were thrilled beyond words when Tarantino first arrived on the movie scene back in 1992. With RESERVOIR DOGS, he showed us that filmmaking didn’t have to be bland and lifeless; it could be violent, vibrant, and saturated with dramatic intensity. I’m sure there are very few people in the industry that would argue the fact that he truly helped to reinvent American cinema. As a result, a whole new era of filmmaking was brought forth, and the entertainment world will never be the same.

Tarantino’s second film, PULP FICTION, would become his magnus opus and forever solidify his name as an iconic filmmaker. This film is the focus of Jason Bailey’s recent release, an epic undertaking that shows us the methodology behind the madness that is PULP FICTION. This amazing inside look lets us peek into Tarantino’s mind and show us the inner-workings within.

If you are any kind of fan of Tarantino’s films, then this book will be a must-own for you. It doesn’t just show behind-the-scenes footage of the film, it lets you into Tarantino’s psyche. It describes his inspirations, his ambitions, and more. One might even say it is semi-biographical, as it relates how specific milestones in his life can be found reflected in his films.

PULP FICTION: THE COMPLETE STORY OF QUENTIN TARANTINO’S MASTERPIECE is amazingly thorough and chocked full of articles and photos related to PULP FICTION and Tarantino himself. My favorite aspect of this book is how it shows the influence the film has had on everyday life, not just in the movie industry. The impact it has had on pop culture is almost immeasurable. From quotes to gestures to facial expressions, we can see this film almost everywhere in both subtle and straightforward features.

PULP FICTION: THE COMPLETE STORY OF QUENTIN TARANTINO’S MASTERPIECE is not just a tome devoted to a movie...it is a chronicle of a generation-inspiring film that filmmakers for generations to come will study and analyze. I highly recommend this book and suggest you pick it up asap. It is available now.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive book, and will be enjoyed mostly by fans of the movie of which I am one. I am a big fan of Tarantino's movies, and I liked learning all about the film. This book is a mix of history of the production, quotes from the filmmakers, scholarly essays by film professors, critics opinions, trivia, and historical context. Unlike the movie the book is linear in structure. There are six chapters:
I - the Movie Geek (A bio of QT)
II - The Script that Changed Everything (Preproduction)
III - Making Fiction (Shooting the Movie)
IV - Let's Get Down to Brass Tacks, Gentleman (Essays about several aspects of the film: language, Black Culture, Violence, and Genres)
V -The Release and Aftermath (Cannes film Festival, Release, Awards, and Influence
VI - The Tarantinoverse (A short chapter about the relationships between Tatantino's films)

The book os lusciously illustrated with photos, film still, diagrams, and fan art.
A short 2-3 hours read, and lots of satisfying info on the film.

[Burd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicely done. If you're a Pulp Fiction fan, you will enjoy this book filled with behind the scenes info, fun facts, trivia, interviews and tons of Pulp-related art and photos. Lots of anecdotal stuff about Tarantino's other gems like Reservoir Dogs, Jackie Brown, True Romance, Kill Bill, Inglorious Basterds and Django Unchained. Fun read.
If you are not a Pulp Fiction fan, that can only mean you've never seen the movie. You need to fix that ASAP.

[Ozana Ozzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pulp fiction movie marks beggining of one era of movie making, brutal, fun, cruel at times and bloodie with great music and humor.

[Chickens McShitterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pulp Fiction is my favorite film of all time, and this has a lot of fun information and analysis. However, I was expecting a deeper analysis, and some of this got a bit repetitive at points, but it was still a nice little trip through a film that heavily impacted me.
The 18 year old me clearly did not appreciate this in the same way that the 41 year old me does, that is for same sure.

[Mak Hoeksema · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ 5/10 - It’s a coffee table book. It’s good, it’s fun, it’s informing, but overall, it’s just a nerdy info dump on a movie most people have seen and just don’t care to read a book over. Pulp Fiction is without doubt one of the best movies of all time with Tarantino being one of the greatest directors and storytellers.

[Katherine Coble · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
The “making of” bits are quite fun. Unfortunately there’s also a not insignificant amount of ponderous analysis of Tarantino’s work in general. That sort of thing can be interesting but it’s not what I came to this book for.

[Eric Lawless · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and amusing compendium of obscure movie facts...about 'Pulp Fiction'!

[Jamie Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for a fan of Quentin.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 4 out of 5]

248 - 2018

[Chris Cox, a librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book for fans of the movie. Inspired me to re-watch it for the umpteenth time.

[Richie James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic Shoot em up bang banG BABY!

[Frank Marzano · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining read which gives the history of "Pulp Fiction", and examines it from a number of different angles. (Note: The Kindle edition has some jumbled text here and there.)

[Buddy Scalera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caution: Reading this book will compel you to rewatch Tarantino films.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quentin is my man. Super fun film bro book that spares no detail on the best movie of the ‘90s. One of my favorite reads this year.

[David Klingenberger · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s nothing wrong here, but there’s not much right either.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent compilation of different critical reviews of the film, fan art, and production history, all packaged into a colorful, informative and entertaining volume. I have read other texts and watched many of the special features about and with Tarantino on various DVDs and Blu-ray discs, and the information presented here is consistent with what I have seen elsewhere, which makes me trust the parts that were new to me. It is a must-read for any Tarantino and/or "Pulp Fiction" fan.

[Jack Herbert Christal Gattanella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I keep trying to write a review and it doesn't post. let's try this again. this book works for people who love the movie and have seen it a hundred times (like me) and newcomers or casual fans. Also a solid primer for Tarantinos aesthetic and has some fun trivia and factoids. not an all time great book, but I read it in a day and was worth every minute.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not necessarily a huge fan of Tarantino, but I've always loved Pulp Fiction, and this is a fun book if that's the case. You get some of the behind the scenes stuff on how the movie made it to the screen, how casting was done, etc. A good read for a fan of the movie.

[Stewart Tame · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cool! Everything you ever wanted to know about Pulp Fiction is probably waiting within these covers. The book is lavishly illustrated and almost obsessively researched. As far as coffee table books go, this one is several cuts above the rest.

[Salomon Askenazi · Rating 5 out of 5]

De lo mejor que he leido. Gran libro de coleccion para fans de Tarantino.

[Edward Linder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful for one of my favorite movies.