Published By: Sayan Paul

Birthday Special: Movies That Inspired Quentin Tarantino - A Peek Into His Favorites

Quentin Tarantino's films have inspired many filmmakers worldwide - but which films inspired him to tell stories?

Speaking about his journey to filmmaking, Quentin Tarantino once dropped a line as iconic as his work: "I never went to any film school, I went to films." And honestly, that says it all. Watch any of his films, and you’ll see the magic of his influences at play—Hong Kong crime thrillers, French New Wave, Japanese samurai flicks, Western classics—you name it. But the point here is that it's not imitation or paying homage just for the sake of it. He blends different storytelling styles, flips perspectives, and adds his own wild, unapologetic touch. The Tarantino style, as we call it, is so distinct that you know it's him within seconds of a film. That’s because, before being a filmmaker, he’s a die-hard cinephile, who worships cinema, through his camera.

A recipient of several accolades, including two Academy Awards, Quentin Tarantino celebrates his 62nd birthday today. On this occasion, let's have a look at his favorite movies - the ones that inspired him.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Sergio Leone's spaghetti western masterpiece, 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly,' is renowned for its intricate storytelling and stylistic flair. Tarantino has cited this film as a major influence, particularly evident in ‘Django Unchained' and 'The Hateful Eight,' where he employs a similar use of wide shots and close-ups to build tension. The former film's iconic standoffs and Ennio Morricone's haunting score have also left an indelible mark on Tarantino's approach to crafting suspenseful sequences.

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City on Fire 

Ringo Lam's Hong Kong crime thriller, 'City on Fire,' is often noted for its narrative and stylistic parallels to Tarantino's 'Reservoir Dogs'. The undercover cop storyline, the climactic warehouse shootout, and the themes of betrayal in 'City on Fire' are present in Tarantino's debut film as well. Especially, the final 20 minutes of both films are very similar. However, Tarantino infuses his version with non-linear storytelling and his signature sharp dialogues, elevating the narrative complexity and character development to the next level.

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Foxy Brown

Jack Hill's blaxploitation classic, 'Foxy Brown', starring Pam Grier, has had a significant impact on several of Tarantino's works. His 1997 film 'Jackie Brown' is not only a homage to this genre but also features Grier in the titular role. He adopts the strong, independent female protagonist archetype and incorporates the funky soundtrack and stylistic elements of 1970s blaxploitation cinema, blending them seamlessly into his modern narrative.

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Breathless

Jean-Luc Godard's French New Wave film, 'Breathless', is known for its unconventional narrative structure and editing style (especially jump cuts). Tarantino channels this innovative spirit in 'Pulp Fiction', employing a non-linear storyline and sharp, rapid dialogue. By embracing and expanding upon Godard's avant-garde techniques, he creates a film that challenges traditional storytelling norms while remaining more accessible and engaging.

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The Killer

John Woo's action-packed film, 'The Killer', showcases stylized violence and complex character relationships. Tarantino draws inspiration from Woo's choreography of action sequences and the moral ambiguity of his characters. In 'Reservoir Dogs' and 'Pulp Fiction', he incorporates similar themes of loyalty and betrayal, along with meticulously designed action scenes that pay homage to Woo's influence.

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Rolling Thunder

John Flynn's revenge thriller, 'Rolling Thunder', has been acknowledged by Tarantino as a significant influence. The film's themes of vengeance and its depiction of a traumatized war veteran seeking justice resonate in Tarantino's 'Kill Bill' series. He adopts the relentless pursuit of retribution and infuses it with his stylized action sequences and rich character development.

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Lady Snowblood

Tarantino’s 'Kill Bill' franchise is practically a love letter to 'Lady Snowblood' (1973), a Japanese revenge thriller packed with style and gore. The influence isn’t just surface-level—it’s in everything from storytelling to visuals to technical execution. 'Lady Snowblood' unfolds non-linearly, and uses flashbacks to piece together the protagonist’s tragic past—just like Tarantino does with The Bride. Then there’s the cinematography: stark compositions, extreme close-ups, and poetic wide shots, all lifted straight from Toshiya Fujita’s school of filmmaking. Even the snow-covered showdown in 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' is a direct homage to the Japanese film’s iconic final battle. And the result is a masterpiece that feels both like a tribute and a reinvention, proving Tarantino’s talent for transforming influence into something entirely his own.

(Credit: World Cinema)

The Street Fighter

Starring Sonny Chiba, 'The Street Fighter' is a martial arts film that left a lasting impression on Tarantino. He cast Chiba in ‘Kill Bill: Volume 1' as Hattori Hanzō, a master swordsmith. The brutal fighting techniques and the anti-hero persona from 'The Street Fighter' have inspired Tarantino's choreography of combat scenes and his creation of morally complex characters.

Bande à part

Jean-Luc Godard’s 'Bande à part' heavily influenced 'Pulp Fiction', both in terms of style and storytelling. Thematically, both films revolve around small-time criminals and their casual, often philosophical conversations, making crime feel intimate and unpredictable. Tarantino borrows Godard’s non-linear storytelling but breaks traditional structures to keep audiences engaged. The famous dance scene between Vincent Vega and Mia Wallace echoes Bande à part’s spontaneous “Madison dance” sequence, adding charm and cool detachment to the characters. And visually, Tarantino adopts Godard’s jump cuts and handheld camera work, giving 'Pulp Fiction' its raw, energetic feel. Even the film’s self-aware dialogue, packed with pop culture references, is similar to Godard’s playful approach to cinema.

(Credit: Agustin Casas Solaro)

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Godard, in one of his interviews, said a very important thing about influence: "It's not where you take things from. It's where you take them to." Well, Tarantino's filmography is the biggest example of that!