The Kill Bill Diary

by David Carradine

David Carradine is Bill—the complex, charismatic master assassin from the critically acclaimed, monstrously successful Kill Bill films. Throughout the filming of Quentin Tarantino's brilliant, violent epic, Carradine kept a daily diary—capturing all the action, the genius, the madness, and the magic that combined to make a masterpiece. More than simply an insider's close-up look at the filmmaking process and the astonishing cast and crew—director Tarantino, star Uma Thurman, and all the other artists whose extraordinary skills helped create something glorious— The Kill Bill Diary illuminates the fine points of the serious actor's craft, as a truly unique talent takes us along with him on a quirky, breathtaking, no-holds-barred, and altogether miraculous journey. It is a must-own volume for anyone who loves the movies.

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

320 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2006

About the author

John Arthur "David" Carradine was an American actor best known for his work in the 1970s television series Kung Fu and more recently in the Kill Bill films. He appeared in more than 100 feature films and was nominated four times for a Golden Globe Award.

Reviews

[Niki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Finally done with this. "Finally" not because it was unpleasant or anything, but it should have been half the length.

First of all: David Carradine just wasn't in the movie enough to be writing a 400 page book about it (it was 388 pages on my Kobo). He had 5 scenes (in the chapel; talking to Elle on the phone; talking to Sofie after her encounter with the Bride; talking to Budd before he's killed; and the final showdown between him and the Bride), and two of those are just his voice and hands. He had an extra scene with Michael Jai White that was cut that I didn't know about (at least I got some new information out of this book), for which both had to practice extensively and it took up a lot of space in Diary, but the book is still ridiculously padded and rambly.

There's descriptions of a lot of interviews he did before and after Kill Bill, and also all the promotion after the movie, something I didn't particularly care about. There was a lot of "I'm basically a Kung Fu master"/ "Quentin loved EVERYTHING I did, he wanted me to just be myself because I'm just that awesome, didn't even need to get into the role, THEY also consulted ME on what my character should be like" unbelievable self-pat-on-the-back, there was a lot "the studio execs are assholes but I still managed to get my way", there were even copy-pasted blog entries of some rando dude that was somehow present during filming and at a first screening. I don't care about all that! I want to read some behind-the-scenes about my favourite movie by one of the actual actors working on it, not promo interiews!

Yeah, I have nothing more to say. The book should have been at least 50% shorter and sweeter.

Oh, I should also mention that the book feels kind of like a cash-grab. He keeps mentioning that he's a bit short on money, and the book didn't really have any reason to exist (all things considered) other than profit for him. He never says anything THAT valuable in the book.

[Coraline Riley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kill Bill is my favorite movie of all time, so I felt I needed to see "Bill's" aspect of the making of the film. I liked the diary aspect of the writing, but some comments about a particular Harvey we all hate haven't aged well.

[Kurt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish that I could say that even if you didn’t like Quentin Tarantino’s movies, you would find this book a fascinating peek into the inner workings of the Hollywood machine. I would also like to say that even if you aren’t familiar with David Carradine, you will be charmed by peeking into the inner workings of his character. Unfortunately, I can’t say either. I needed the hook of being a big Tarantino fan and always considering David Carradine an enlightened and elevating presence for any movie (mostly crap) he happened to pop up in to keep me engaged in this book. Let the word DIARY being in the title alert you that quite often when something catches your interest it will suddenly evaporate into a mist of personal distractions or self-aggrandizing vapor. That Carradine considered himself a brilliant actor might have been necessary for his craft but it is a tad off putting. That everyone he meets is the most wonderful or beautiful person ever or they vanish from sight may beautify his personal world but it fails to inform me of anything useful or interesting. Since I do like Tarantino and have a soft spot for Carradine largely because I liked the TV series KUNG FU when I was a kid, I found it easier to forgive these transgressions and there were just enough tantalizing nuggets dropped my way to keep me looking for the next. I would recommend reading it in one or two sittings—the good stuff feels closer together. I wish he had talked about his famous father and brothers more and less about his girlfriend and their travel habits. If you are a Tarantino fan, there are significant portions about his approach to making KILL BILL to fascinate you. The never-ending reinvention even as the filming is underway is rather awe-inspiring. His ability to keep coming up with marvelous ideas to replace merely very good ones gives insight into why his movies turn out the way they do. So this isn’t for everyone but if it is, you know who you are.

[Kevin Hogan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exactly what it says it is. Entries in David Carradine's diary from March 21 2002 through June 26 2004. Along with photos.

Not deep, but an entertaining look into two years of David Carradine's life ... as well as a bit of movie industry behind-the-scenes and a lot of David Carradine between-the-ears. Reading this, I felt as though I had a sense for who David Carradine actually was.

Don't expect any secrets to be revealed (secrets of moviemaking, secrets of the universe, or otherwise), and don't expect much dirt to be dished.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous writing on his experience making the best movie of his later life. Some very ironic sections, his hoping when he died he would die well like a warrior could or should. And that dignity was important to him. Five years after this book was published he died without dignity...so sad. He was a bright, talented, unique man and I could wish the memory of him was not sullied by his ending. His writing is witty, humorous, intelligent and cohesive.

[Ana Carolina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is great when it focuses on the backstage of the film (SPECIALLY the scene at Bill’s hacienda, really nice) but terribly boring in the rest. The author repeatedly brings a lot of unnecessary stuff about 2 of his previous roles, just like a grandad who only tells the same stories that you already know word by word. They even seem like phrases of self-affirmation for him to convince himself of who he wants to be.

Also, why theres a few blog entrances (and whoooole entrances, no kiddin) from this random guy thats NOT the author? No sense at all.

But what made me roll my eyes the most were the descriptions of his wife, who seem to have been the Gone Girl’s “cool girl” monologue inspiration, NO DOUBT.

[Jessie Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book left me feeling calm and relaxed after finishing it.
Kill Bill 1&2 are my favorite movies for personal reasons and so I was extremely excited to read this book. It did not disappoint at all. David Carradine (RIP) wrote a candid and entertaining diary of his time just before and shortly after his life as Bill. He knew that people would want to hear about QT as much and he was generous with all the stories about his time with QT. I highly suggest and strongly urge fans, and anyone really, to read this book. Like, today!

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Carradine one of my favourite actors died in highly embarrassing circumstances. I have read a number of his written works and was always interested in his strange career and life. This book, from the point of view of an actor of some fame and notoriety is a fascinating behind the scenes look at making a major motion picture. David always had a way with words, he died too young.

[Adam Cormier · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a Quentin Tarantino fan, and enjoyed Kill Bill 1 & 2, I would highly recommend this book to you. David's writing style is very fluid and will pull you into the making of the scenes like you were onset watching. It also gives glimpses into the behind the scenes Hollywood movie making world. Highly enjoyable, and it has me all geared up to watch these amazing films again.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a Carradine fanatic for 40 years, so I'm biased -- this diary was great, in my opinion. There's lots of behind the scenes information about preparation, his contract, his day-to-day life before, during and after the filming of Kill Bill. If you're a Tarantino fan or just like the movie Kill Bill, I think you'll find the book entertaining.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conversational in style, his affection and respect for Tarantino displays frequently. I grew to really like David and his cinematic view of life along with his incredible movie history.
A really enjoyable and ‘warm’ experience. Not a feeling I usually look for in my book choices.

[Jin Kyun · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief "behind the scene" book written by David Carradine, the one who played 'Bill' in Quentin Tarantino's movie, "Kill Bill".

Although you can briefly taste the film's catharsis, the book can be repetitive throughout.

[John Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-reading this years later, after Carradine's bizarre death and the public shaming of Harvey Weinstein, is interesting. Kill Bill seemed like a troubled, indecisive shoot from David's description, but his insights on acting methods and the daily minutiae of the films make for good reading.

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh. Sycophantic and, worse, boring.

[Brett McDowall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting account of being around Tarantino and David’s own personal “grasshopper” observations.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It would have been way better without the brief glimpses of racism and sexism. I’m pretty sure Carradine didn’t even realize he was doing it.

[Anna Krjatian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved learning the behind the scenes of the making of Kill Bill and learning about David Carradine at a deeper level.

[Jo Joy Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I might read his autobiography. Anticipate a pretty eventful life and death. So, he didn't get to do much post this film then?....

[Kevin Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great first person account of the mundanities of making a movie, no less one of the most awesome movies ever made, written by one of Hollywood’s chillest cats.

[Macy White · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're a fan of Tarantino and his movies, you will more than likely enjoy this book, as it delves into personal accounts of working with him and the other folks involved with the film. Also it is a great insight into filmmaking in general: Carradine records entries about the pre-production, production, the post-release media mania, and the politics of working with Miramax.

The first thing you should note is the word "diary" in the title. These are mostly the day to day thoughts and entries, in diary form, of a movie star and should be read keeping that fact in mind. Having said that, the diary is a mostly fascinating read about the 'behind the scenes' making of Kill Bill and Carradine's experience with the film.

Carradine is insightful, funny, and greatly descriptive--however, these aspects of his writing come and go with fluid inconsistency, which is true to form for diary or journal writing. It was interesting to see Carradine's attitude shift from 'I'm a humble underrated actor' in the beginning entries to 'How can they treat a legend this way?' with the entries after the film's completion.

Unfortunately, some entries deteriorate into gush fests of praise for Tarantino and even for Carradine as he reprints some of Harry Knowles' "articles" which read like gushy diary entries themselves and seem to represent Knowles' fandom more than objective review. This isn't a huge detractor, but it is tiresom.

Reading this did make me want to read "Endless Highway", Carradine's autobiography.

[David Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm gonna be generous with this one because Mr Carradine is not a writer I particularly connected with. But man do I love these movies and any extra insight into them or the process of making them is alright with me.

[JDK1962 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked up the book because I'm a Tarantino fan, not because I'm a Carradine fan. Frankly, could have done with more Tarantino and less Carradine.

I certainly admit that he was excellent in his role in Kill Bill. But for me, it was the case of an actor being great in a role that was created for him, with a script comprised of the notes he could hit, rather than, say, Daniel Day Lewis being freaking amazing in anything because he's Daniel Day Lewis. And from the book, I got the impression that Carradine had a much much higher opinion of himself and his (mainly) B-movie acting career than anyone else did. And I'm saying this as someone who bought tickets for the original theater releases of Bound For Glory AND Lone Wolf McQuade. At the end of this book, I was just as happy to be leaving his company. Though I was happy for him having Kill Bill at the end of his career...a great note for anyone to go out on.

[Amber · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not finish this book despite the random behind the scenes scraps Carradine tosses to the reader from time to time. Its not worth reading through his self indulgent monologues about not having any money, not being given a personal driver, not being able to hire his own friends as part of the crew, etc. just to read a sentence or two about Tarantino's process or going through kung fu training with the cast. Its a bunch of boo-hooing and lot of stream of consciousness emails to his friends. Give me a break.

[Ashley Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cool book. Despite the eye-roll inducing title, Carradine offers a really interesting, first-hand account of what happened before, during, and post-filming Kill Bill.

Did you know that Quentin Tarantino was originally going to play the part of Pei Mei? Crazy, but true, and that is just one of the secrets Carradine divulges to us in this neat book. Also, there are a lot of sweet, insider pictures included.

[Don]

Best know for his portrayal of Kwai Chang Caine in the 70’s television series Kung Fu, Carradine has published excerpts from his diary written during the making of the film that returned him to stardom. While this book is not an exposé, nor does it give many technical details, it provides an interesting glimpse into the people involved in movie making, including co-star Uma Thurman and director Quentin Tarantino.

[Joe Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, especially for Carradine and Tarantino fans. Was disappointed to learn that Michael Jai White was originally in Kill Bill, Vol. 2, but his scenes ended up being cut out (they have been returned in the DVD set with special features). Having never seen the special features, it was really cool having Carradine describe the shooting of those scenes, as well as all of the special training most of the cast had to endure.

[Arkady · Rating 2 out of 5]

It has some funny stories about the shooting and the people he worked with (Tarantino, Uma Thurman, that other guy...), pictures and the diary of David Carradine while the movie was being produced (2 long years, I believe) until the first premieres. It's interesting if you're a fan of Kill Bill but sometimes it's too dense.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

not my fave book but not aweful either. a bit slow, gushy and full of obscure name dropping. its still a peek into the beautiful man that is David carradine as well as a bit of behind the scenes on kill bill. I wish there had been a more anecdotes about on set an d less gishing about being in love with the gurls and QT. oh well.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great incite on the filmmaking process and business, particularly that of Quentin Tarantino. Great incite on acting from a veteran screen legend. Excellent writing for a guy who's famous for punching and kicking. Wonderful personal moments in this memoir.

[Myke Reiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was awesome in deconstructing Hollywood screen mythos and so on and so forth and as an added bonus, one can imagine Carradine reading it in that "Yellow Book" mystical accent and speech pattern that he has. He can make the phrase "I ate a sandwich" sound exotic. This is cooler than cool.