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{{Short description|1992 American crime film by Quentin Tarantino}} | |||
{{For|the video game based on the film|Reservoir Dogs (video game)}} | |||
{{About|the film|the video game|Reservoir Dogs (video game){{!}}''Reservoir Dogs'' (video game)|the Bliss n Eso song|Reservoir Dogs (song)}} | |||
{{Dablink|"Mr. Blonde" redirects here. For the video game character, see ].}} | |||
{{Good article}} | |||
{{Use American English|date=September 2019}} | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}} | |||
{{Infobox film | {{Infobox film | ||
| name = Reservoir Dogs | | name = Reservoir Dogs | ||
| image = Reservoir |
| image = Reservoir Dogs.png | ||
| caption = Theatrical release poster | | caption = Theatrical release poster | ||
| alt = <!-- see ] --> | |||
| director = ] | | director = ] | ||
| producer = ] | | producer = ] | ||
| writer = Quentin Tarantino | | writer = Quentin Tarantino | ||
| starring = ] |
| starring = {{Plainlist| | ||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
}} | |||
| cinematography = ] | | cinematography = ] | ||
| editing = ] | | editing = ] | ||
| studio = ] | | studio = {{Plainlist| | ||
* ] | |||
* Dog Eat Dog Productions | |||
}} | |||
| distributor = ] | | distributor = ] | ||
| released = {{Film date|1992|10| |
| released = {{Film date|1992|1|21|]|1992|10|9|United States}} | ||
| runtime = 99 minutes | | runtime = 99 minutes<ref name="mojo" /> | ||
| country = |
| country = United States | ||
| language = English | | language = English | ||
| budget = $1.2–3 million<ref name="mojo" /><ref name="Hartl" /><ref name="AFI">{{cite web|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59373-RESERVOIR-DOGS?sid=42970444-4925-491e-8c2f-0758d4687027&sr=11.324329&cp=1&pos=0|title=Reservoir Dogs (1992)|work=]|access-date=June 6, 2020|archive-date=June 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606005627/https://catalog.afi.com/Film/59373-RESERVOIR-DOGS?sid=42970444-4925-491e-8c2f-0758d4687027&sr=11.324329&cp=1&pos=0|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
| budget = ]1.2 million | |||
| gross = $2.9 million<ref name="mojo" /> | |||
| gross = $14,661,007 <ref></ref> | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''''Reservoir Dogs''''' is a 1992 American ] written and directed by ] in his feature-length directorial debut. It stars ], ], ], ], ], ], Tarantino, and ] as diamond thieves whose heist of a jewelry store goes terribly wrong. ], ], and ] also play supporting roles. The film incorporates many motifs that have become Tarantino's hallmarks: violent crime, pop culture references, profanity, and ]. | |||
'''''Reservoir Dogs''''' (1992) is an American ] marking ] and writer ]. It depicts the events before and after a botched diamond ], but not the heist itself. ''Reservoir Dogs'' stars an ]: ], ], ], ], ], and ]. Tarantino has a minor role, as does criminal-turned-author ]. It incorporates many themes that have become Tarantino's hallmarks: violent crime, ] references, profuse ], and a ]. The film contains key elements similar to those found in ]'s 1987 film '']''.<ref>{{cite book | title=What Happens Next: A History of American Screenwriting | last=Norman | first=Marc | year=2007 | publisher=] | location=New York | isbn=978-0307393883 | page=458 | quote=ebsites posted lengthy exegeses comparing ''Reservoir Dogs'' side by side with ''City on Fire'' . But Tarantino had always advertised his sources; ''The Taking of Pelham One Two Three'', a 1974 thriller and the ''Reservoir Dogs'' screenplay title page dedicated the movie to, among others, Roger Corman, Chow Yun Fat, Godard, Melville, and the obscure 1950s action director Andre De Toth.}}</ref> | |||
The film has become a classic of ] and a ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/reservoir-dogs,16744/?utm_source=channel_the-new-cult-canon |title=The New Cult Canon - Reservoir Dogs |first=Scott |last=Tobias |authorlink=Scott Tobias |publisher=] |date={{Start date|2008|12|18}} |work=] |accessdate={{Start date|2011|8|28}} }}</ref> It was named "Greatest Independent Film of all Time" by '']''. ''Reservoir Dogs'' was generally well received, and the cast was praised by many critics. Although it was never given much promotion upon release, the film was a modest success by grossing ]2,832,029, which made its $1.2 million budget back. However, it did become a major hit in the ], grossing nearly ]6.5 million, and it achieved higher popularity after the success of Tarantino's next directorial effort, '']''. | |||
The film is regarded as a classic of ] and a ].<ref>{{cite web |first=Scott |last=Tobias |title=The New Cult Canon – Reservoir Dogs |url=https://www.avclub.com/reservoir-dogs-1798215377 |work=] |publisher=] |date=December 18, 2008 |access-date=August 28, 2011 |archive-date=September 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110915034925/http://www.avclub.com/articles/reservoir-dogs,16744/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Although controversial at first for its depictions of violence and heavy use of profanity, ''Reservoir Dogs'' was generally well-received, and the cast was praised by many critics. Despite not being heavily promoted during its theatrical run, the film became a modest success in the United States after grossing $2.9 million against its scant budget. It achieved higher popularity after the success of Tarantino's next film, '']'' (1994). A soundtrack was released featuring songs used in the film, which are mostly from the 1970s. It was named "Greatest Independent Film of All Time" by the British film magazine '']'', who in 2008 also named it the 97th-greatest film ever made.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Empire Magazine's 500 Greatest Films of All Time (2008) |url=https://www.imdb.com/list/ls528731286/ |access-date=2024-10-22 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
A soundtrack titled ''Reservoir Dogs: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'' was released featuring songs used in the film, mostly from the 1970s. In 2006, a ] was released which was banned in some jurisdictions for its violence. | |||
==Plot== | ==Plot== | ||
Eight men eat breakfast at a diner. All but the boss and his son, Joe Cabot and "Nice Guy" Eddie Cabot, use aliases: Mr. Brown, Mr. White, Mr. Blonde, Mr. Blue, Mr. Orange, and Mr. Pink. | |||
]" by the ]]] | |||
The film begins with eight men eating breakfast at a Los Angeles diner. Six of them are using aliases: Mr. Blonde (]), Mr. Blue (]), Mr. Brown (]), Mr. Orange (]), Mr. Pink (]), and Mr. White (]). With them are gangster Joe Cabot (]) and his son, "Nice Guy" Eddie (]). | |||
The men carry out a diamond heist. White flees with Orange, who was shot during the escape and is bleeding profusely in the back seat of a car driven by White. At their hideout, White and Orange rendezvous with Pink, who believes that the job was a ] and that the police were waiting for them. White informs him that Brown is dead, Blue and Blonde are missing, and Blonde murdered several civilians during the heist. White is furious that Joe, his old friend, would employ Blonde, whom he describes as a psychopath. Pink has hidden the diamonds nearby and argues with White over whether to get medical attention for Orange, and the pair draw guns on each other. They stand down when Blonde arrives with a kidnapped policeman, Marvin Nash. | |||
Sometime earlier, Blonde meets with the Cabots, having been ] after a four-year prison sentence. To reward him for not giving Joe's name to the authorities, they offer him a ]. Blonde is grateful but insists that he wants to get back to "real work", and they recruit him for the heist. | |||
Mr. Blonde, who has been watching them from a distance, steps forward and ends the dispute. Mr. White berates him for his deadly rampage, but Mr. Blonde calmly dismisses the criticism. He tells the others to stay as Nice Guy Eddie is on his way. Mr. Blonde has captured a police officer, Marvin Nash (]), and the three men beat Nash in an attempt to find out who the informant is. Eddie then arrives at the warehouse, and orders Mr. Pink and Mr. White to assist him in retrieving the stolen diamonds and disposing of the hijacked vehicles, while Mr. Blonde stays with Nash and the unconscious Mr. Orange. | |||
In the present, White and Pink beat Nash for information. Eddie arrives and orders them to go with him to ditch the getaway vehicles, leaving Blonde in charge of Nash and Orange. Nash denies knowledge, but Blonde ignores him and resumes the torture, cutting off Nash's ear with a straight razor. He prepares to set him on fire, but Orange shoots Blonde dead. Orange reveals to Nash that he is an ], and that the police will arrive when Joe comes to the warehouse. | |||
Eddie, |
When Eddie, Pink, and White return, Orange tries to convince them that Blonde planned to kill them all and steal the diamonds for himself. Eddie shoots and kills Nash and accuses Orange of lying, since Blonde was loyal to his father. Joe arrives with news that the police have killed Blue. He is about to execute Orange, who he suspects is the traitor behind the setup, but White intervenes and holds Joe at gunpoint, insisting that Orange is not a police officer. Eddie aims his gun at White, creating a ]. All three fire. Both Cabots are killed, and White and Orange are hit. | ||
Pink takes the diamonds and flees, but a crash is heard outside and gunshots follow. As White cradles the dying Orange in his arms, Orange confesses that he is a police officer. White presses his gun to Orange's head. The police storm the warehouse and order White to drop his gun. White is killed by the police after he ]. | |||
Joe is about to execute Mr. Orange when Mr. White pulls his gun on Joe, and Eddie in turn trains his gun on Mr. White. A ] ensues. Suddenly Joe shoots Mr. Orange, wounding him again, Mr. White shoots and kills Joe in response, Eddie shoots Mr. White, severely wounding him, and Mr. White shoots and kills Eddie. | |||
== Cast == | |||
Mr. Pink, who hid under the stairs to avoid the shootout, takes the diamonds and flees the warehouse. Police sirens and shouting are heard outside, followed by several shots. As Mr. White cradles Mr. Orange in his arms, Mr. Orange reveals that he is in fact an undercover cop. This devastates Mr. White, who begins sobbing in frustration and points his gun at Mr. Orange's head. The police storm the warehouse, demanding that he drop his gun; Mr. White refuses and shoots Mr. Orange, and the police open fire on Mr. White as the film ends. | |||
]" by the ]]] | |||
<!-- Cast per opening tombstone credits, order and roles per closing credits scroll --> | |||
==Cast== | |||
{{Cast listing| | |||
===The Reservoir Dogs=== | |||
*] as Larry Dimmick |
* ] as Larry Dimmick / Mr. White | ||
*] as Freddy |
* ] as Freddy Newendyke / Mr. Orange | ||
*] as Vic Vega |
* ] as "Toothpick" Vic Vega / Mr. Blonde | ||
*] as Nice Guy Eddie Cabot | * ] as "Nice Guy" Eddie Cabot | ||
*] as Mr. Pink | * ] as Mr. Pink | ||
*] as Joe Cabot | * ] as Joe Cabot | ||
*] as |
* ] as Holdaway | ||
*] as |
* ] as Marvin Nash | ||
* ] as Mr. Blue | |||
* ] as Mr. Brown | |||
* ] as Sheriff #2 | |||
* ] as K-Billy DJ (voice) | |||
}} | |||
Rich Turner played Sheriff #1. ] played police officer Jody McClusky; her scenes were deleted from the theatrical release.<ref>{{cite web |date=January 11, 2013 |title='Reservoir Dogs': Where Are They Now? |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/reservoir-dogs-gallery-1.89294?pmSlide=1.101656 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808093113/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/reservoir-dogs-gallery-1.89294?pmSlide=1.101656 |archive-date=August 8, 2016 |access-date=March 19, 2022 |work=]}}</ref> There is an unseen accomplice of Joe and Eddie who speaks to Eddie on the phone. His name is Dov Schwarz, named after the sound editor on '']''.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Barnes|first1=Alan|last2=Hearn|first2=Marcus|url=https://archive.org/details/tarantinotozedfi0000barn/page/104/mode/2up?q=Thrill+killers&view=theater|title=Tarantino A to Zed: The Films of Quentin Tarantino|publisher=B T Batsford Ltd|date=March 1, 1996|access-date=March 19, 2022|isbn=0713479906|via=]|page=169}}</ref> | |||
===Others/cameos=== | |||
*] as Holdaway | |||
*] as Marvin Nash | |||
*Rich Turner as Sheriff #1 | |||
*David Steen as Sheriff #2 | |||
*Tony Cosmo as Sheriff #3 | |||
*Stevo Poliy as Sheriff #4 | |||
*Michael Sottile as Teddy | |||
*Robert Ruth as Shot Cop | |||
*] as Young Cop | |||
*] as Shocked Woman | |||
*Suzanne Celeste as Shot Woman | |||
*] (voice) as the K-Billy DJ<ref name="Wright">{{cite web | |||
| last = Howe | |||
| first = Desse | |||
| title = Reservoir Dogs | |||
| url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/reservoirdogsrhowe_a0af27.htm | |||
| publisher = Washington Post | |||
| date = 1992-10-23 | |||
| accessdate = 2008-05-05 }}</ref> | |||
==Production== | == Production == | ||
Quentin Tarantino had been working at ], a video store in ], and originally planned to shoot the film with his friends on a budget of $30,000 in a ] black-and-white format, with himself playing Mr. Pink and producer ] playing both Nice Guy Eddie and a police officer chasing Mr. Pink.<ref>{{cite magazine | last = Taubin | first = Amy | title = The Men's Room | magazine = ] |url= https://archive.org/details/Sight_and_Sound_1992_12_BFI_GB/page/n3/mode/2up |pages=2–4 |volume=2 |number=8 |date=December 1992 |access-date=May 23, 2023}}</ref> Bender gave the script to his acting teacher, whose wife gave the script to Harvey Keitel.<ref>{{cite news |last=McKenna |first=Kristine |date=October 18, 1992 |title=MOVIES : Leaps of Faith : Harvey Keitel's search for God often involves confronting his darker self; case in point: 'Reservoir Dogs' |pages=Calendar; Page 7; Calendar Desk |work=] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-18-ca-681-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420144352/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-18-ca-681-story.html |archive-date=April 20, 2021}}</ref> Keitel liked it enough to sign as a co-producer so Tarantino and Bender would have an easier job finding funding; with his assistance, they raised $1.5 million.<ref name="Hartl" /> Keitel also paid for Tarantino and Bender to host casting sessions in New York, where the duo found Steve Buscemi, Michael Madsen, and Tim Roth.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/empire-classic-feature-reservoir-dogs/|title=The Making of Reservoir Dogs|last=Dawson|first=Jeff|magazine=]|issue=44|date=February 1993|access-date=February 10, 2016|archive-date=March 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311161528/http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/empire-classic-feature-reservoir-dogs/|url-status=live}}</ref> ] was asked to audition for the role of Mr. Pink, but he backed out at the last minute.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 5, 2016 |title=Jon Cryer dishes 'Pretty in Pink,' 'Superman 4' and Charlie Sheen anecdotes on 'Howard Stern' |url=https://uproxx.com/hitfix/jon-cryer-dishes-pretty-in-pink-superman-4-and-charlie-sheen-anecdotes-on-howard-stern/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004183303/https://uproxx.com/hitfix/jon-cryer-dishes-pretty-in-pink-superman-4-and-charlie-sheen-anecdotes-on-howard-stern/ |archive-date=October 4, 2021 |access-date=October 4, 2021 |website=]}}</ref> ] was also considered for Mr. Pink, but his agent turned it down without telling him.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brew |first=Simon |date=2014-02-25 |title=James Woods interview: Videodrome, The Hard Way, Hercules and more |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/james-woods-interview-videodrome-the-hard-way-hercules-and-more/ |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}}</ref> ] and ] also read for roles,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lyttelton |first=Oliver |date=October 23, 2012 |title=5 Things You Might Not Know About 'Reservoir Dogs' |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2012/10/5-things-you-might-not-know-about-reservoir-dogs-250511/ |website=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/viggo-mortensen-hateful-eight-i-783587/ | title=Viggo Mortensen on 'Hateful Eight': "I Wish It Had Worked Out" | website=] | date=March 23, 2015 }}</ref> while Tim Roth's agents originally wanted him to be Mr. Pink or Mr. Blonde, but he preferred Mr. Orange because he would "be an English actor pretending to be American playing a cop pretending to be a robber".<ref>{{Cite web|date=March 8, 2019|title=Tim Roth Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=driYdJ95HHs|url-status=live|website=]|publisher=]|access-date=November 17, 2021|archive-date=November 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119201125/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=driYdJ95HHs}}</ref> | |||
Tarantino had been working at ], a video store, in ], and was originally going to shoot the film with his friends on a budget of $30,000 in a ]<ref>{{cite news | |||
| last = Taubin | |||
| first = Amy | |||
| title = The Men's Room | |||
| publisher = Sight and Sound | |||
}}</ref> format with producer ] playing Nice Guy Eddie. When actor Harvey Keitel became involved he agreed to act in the film and co-produce.<ref>{{cite news | |||
| last = McKenna | |||
| first = Kristine | |||
| title = Harvey Keitel | |||
| work = Movies; Leaps of Faith; Harvey Keitel's Search for God Often Involves Confronting his Darker Self; Case in Point; "Reservoir Dogs" | |||
| pages = Calendar; Page 7; Calendar Desk | |||
| publisher = ] | |||
| date = 1992-10-18 | |||
}}</ref> Harvey Keitel was then cast as Mr. White. With Keitel's assistance, the filmmakers were able to raise $1.5 million to make the film.<ref name="Hartl"/> | |||
The film contains multiple homages to other films.<ref name="Vries" /> Tarantino himself has said that ''Reservoir Dogs'' was influenced by ]'s 1956 film noir '']'': "I didn't go out of my way to do a rip-off of ''The Killing'', but I did think of it as my 'Killing', my take on that kind of heist movie."<ref name="Hartl" /> The film's plot was also inspired by the 1952 film '']''.<ref name="Hughes 2006 186">{{cite book | last = Hughes | first = Howard | title = Crime Wave: The Filmgoers' Guide to the Great Crime Movies | publisher = I.B.Tauris | year = 2006 | location = London | page = 186 | isbn = 978-1-84511-219-6}}</ref> Additionally, ]'s 1955 film '']'' and ]'s 1966 ] '']'' inspired the scene where a police officer is tortured in a chair.<ref name="Hughes 2006 186" /><ref name=Slant>{{cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review/django|work=]|access-date=February 5, 2016|title=Django|date=December 20, 2012 |archive-date=February 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224095913/http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review/django|url-status=live}}</ref> Having the main characters named after colors (Mr. Pink, White, Brown, etc.) was first seen in the 1974 film '']''.<ref>{{cite web |author=Eder |first=Bruce |date=2008 |title=The Taking of Pelham One Two Three |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/48468/The-Taking-of-Pelham-1-2-3/overview |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913233042/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/48468/The-Taking-of-Pelham-1-2-3/overview |archive-date=September 13, 2008 |work=] |department=Movies & TV Dept.}}</ref> The film also contains key elements similar to those found in ]'s 1987 film '']''.<ref>{{cite book | title=What Happens Next: A History of American Screenwriting | url=https://archive.org/details/whathappensnexth00norm | url-access=registration | last=Norman | first=Marc | year=2007 | publisher=] | location=New York | isbn=978-0-307-39388-3 | page= | quote=ebsites posted lengthy exegeses comparing ''Reservoir Dogs'' side by side with ''City on Fire'' . But Tarantino had always advertised his sources; ''The Taking of Pelham One Two Three'', a 1974 thriller and the ''Reservoir Dogs'' screenplay title page dedicated the movie to, among others, Roger Corman, Chow Yun Fat, Godard, Melville, and the obscure 1950s action director Andre De Toth.}}</ref> Tarantino praised the film ''City on Fire'' and mentioned it as a major influence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Before 'Reservoir Dogs, 'there was 'City on Fire' |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1995-04-14-1995104053-story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229060108/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1995-04-14-1995104053-story.html |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |access-date=December 29, 2021 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en}}</ref> | |||
''Reservoir Dogs'' was, according to Tarantino, his version of ]'s '']''. Tarantino himself said that he " didn't go out of my way to do a rip-off of ''The Killing'', but I did think of it as my ''Killing'', my take on that kind of heist movie".<ref name="Hartl"/> The film's plot was suggested by the 1952 movie '']''.<ref name="Hughes 2006 186">{{cite book | |||
| last = Hughes | |||
| first = Howard | |||
| authorlink = | |||
| coauthors = | |||
| title = Crime Wave: The Filmgoers' Guide to the Great Crime Movies | |||
| publisher = I.B.Tauris | |||
| year = 2006 | |||
| location = London | |||
| page = 186 | |||
| url = | |||
| doi = | |||
| isbn = 1845112199, 9781845112196}}</ref> Additionally, ]'s '']'' inspired the scene where a cop is tortured in a chair.<ref name="Hughes 2006 186"/> Tarantino has denied that he plagiarized with ''Reservoir Dogs'' instead claiming that he does homages.<ref name="Vries"/> Also, the main characters being named after colors (Mr. Pink, White, Brown, etc.) was first seen in the 1974 film '']''. | |||
Tarantino said that everybody hated Lawrence Tierney by the end of the first week of production.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/jan/12/quentin-tarantino-bafta | title=Why Quentin Tarantino wants to be the next Howard Hawks | newspaper=The Guardian | date=January 12, 2010 | last1=Child | first1=Ben }}</ref> | |||
The actual heist is never shown. Tarantino has said that the reason was initially budgetary but that he always liked the idea of not showing it and stuck with that idea. He has said that the technique lets the viewer realize that the movie is "about other things".<ref name="Hartl"/> He compared this to the work of a novelist and has said that he wanted the movie to be about something that is not seen and that he wanted it to "play with a real-time clock as opposed to a movie clock ticking".<ref name="Accidents"/> | |||
The warehouse scenes were filmed in an unused mortuary filled with caskets, funeral equipment, embalming fluid, and a hearse. Mr. Orange's apartment was a room on the second floor of the mortuary, set to look like living quarters. The building has since been demolished.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/r/Reservoir-Dogs.php|title=Reservoir Dogs|website=Film Locations|access-date=July 22, 2018|archive-date=July 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722130029/http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/r/Reservoir-Dogs.php|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==Reception== | |||
''Reservoir Dogs'' opened in 19 theaters with a first week total of $147,839 in the United States.<ref name="boxoffice">{{cite web|title=Reservoir Dogs|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=reservoirdogs.htm|publisher=]|accessdate=2011-03-07}}</ref> The film was never released to more than 61 theaters there and totaled $2,832,029 at the box office.<ref name="boxoffice"/> After its success in Britain, it was shown at the ]. '']'' named it the "Greatest Independent Film ever made".<ref>{{cite web | |||
| last = Dirks | |||
| first = Tim | |||
| title = Empire's 50 Greatest Independent Films | |||
| url = http://www.filmsite.org/independentfilms3.html | |||
| publisher = Empire | |||
| accessdate = 2008-02-21 }}</ref> The movie has since come to be seen as an important and highly-influential milestone of ]making.<ref name="Book"/> ''Reservoir Dogs'' carries a 96% rating at ],<ref>{{cite web | |||
| url = http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/reservoir_dogs/ | |||
| title = Reservoir Dogs | |||
| publisher = Rotten Tomatoes | |||
| accessdate = 2008-10-03 }}</ref> while ] carries an average rating of 78/100, based on 23 critic reviews, indicating generally favorable reviews.<ref>. Metacritic.com.</ref> | |||
Tarantino's decision not to film the diamond robbery was twofold: for budgetary reasons, and to keep the details of the heist ambiguous. By not showing the robbery and having the characters describe it, Tarantino explained, the film is allowed to be "about other things", similar to the way in which the burglary in '']'' and its ] is discussed, described, and debated, but never shown.<ref name="Hartl" /> Tarantino compared the technique to the work of a novelist, and said he wanted the film to be about something not seen and to "play with a real-time clock as opposed to a movie clock ticking".<ref name="Accidents" /> | |||
''Reservoir Dogs'' has inspired many other independent films and is considered key in the development of independent cinema.<ref name="Water"/> The ] film '']'' (2002) from ] is considered an unauthorized remake of ''Reservoir Dogs'' featuring a similar plot and dialogue style.<ref>{{Cite news | |||
| last = Kehr | |||
| first = David | |||
| title = Film Review; Shot in Los Angeles, But Bombay All the Way | |||
| newspaper = ] | |||
| pages = Section E; Part 1; Column 5; Movies, Performing Arts/Weekend Desk; Pg. 32 | |||
| date = 2002-12-20 | |||
| nopp = true | |||
| postscript = <!--None--> }}</ref> ''Reservoir Dogs'' is itself considered to have taken inspiration from ]'s ] film '']'' (1987), which features a similar final segment.<ref>{{Cite book|title=City on fire: Hong Kong cinema|page=35|author=Lisa Odham Stokes & Michael Hoover|year=1999|publisher=]|url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=wmAton5zOPYC&pg=PA35|accessdate=2011-03-12|isbn=9781859842034}}</ref> | |||
== Reception == | |||
The film was screened out of competition at the ].<ref name="festival-cannes.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/30/year/1992.html |title=Festival de Cannes: Reservoir Dogs |accessdate=2009-08-17|work=festival-cannes.com}}</ref> It won the Critic's Award at the 4th ] in February 1993 which Tarantino attended.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://yubarifanta.com/index_pc.php?ct=archive.php&langue=21002|title=YUBARI INTERNATIONAL FANTASTIC ADVENTURE FILM FESTIVAL'90|publisher=|accessdate=2009-09-19}}</ref> | |||
=== Box office === | |||
''Reservoir Dogs'' premiered at the ] in January 1992. It became the festival's most talked-about film, and it was subsequently picked up for distribution by ].<ref name="cinema of outsiders">{{cite book |last=Levy |first=Emanuel |title=Cinema of Outsiders: The Rise of American Independent Film |publisher=NYU Press |year=2001 |isbn=978-0814751244 |location=New York |pages=16–17}}</ref> After being shown at several other film festivals, including in ], ], and ],<ref name="cinema of outsiders" /> ''Reservoir Dogs'' opened in the United States in 19 theaters on October 9, 1992, with a first week total of $147,839.<ref name="mojo">{{cite web | title = Reservoir Dogs | url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0105236/ | work = ] | access-date = March 7, 2011 | archive-date = December 6, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191206200104/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0105236/ | url-status = live }}</ref> It was expanded to 61 theaters on October 23, 1992, and totaled $2,832,029 at the domestic box office.<ref name="mojo" /> The film grossed more than double that in the United Kingdom,<ref>{{cite book |last=Mottram |first=James |title=Sundance Kids: How the Mavericks Took Back Hollywood |publisher=] |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-571-26149-9 |chapter=''Reservoir Dogs'' and the Class of '92 |access-date=November 13, 2015 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oRpFAAAAQBAJ&pg=PT55 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506213711/https://books.google.com/books?id=oRpFAAAAQBAJ&pg=PT55 |archive-date=May 6, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> where it did not receive a home video release until 1995.<ref name="BBFC">{{cite web |title=Case Studies: Reservoir Dogs |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/case-studies/reservoir-dogs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019153309/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/case-studies/reservoir-dogs |archive-date=October 19, 2014 |access-date=October 19, 2014 |website=British Board of Film Classification}}</ref> During the period of unavailability on home video, the film was re-released in UK cinemas in June 1994.<ref>{{cite web|title=12 Famous Movies That Have Been Banned In Certain Countries|url=https://www.nme.com/photos/12-famous-movies-that-have-been-banned-in-certain-countries/389109|website=NME|access-date=October 17, 2015|archive-date=October 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018012735/http://www.nme.com/photos/12-famous-movies-that-have-been-banned-in-certain-countries/389109|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
=== Critical reception === | |||
'''] Lists''' | |||
{{Anchor|Critics|Critical response}} | |||
*] - Nominated<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afi.com/Docs/100Years/thrills400.pdf |title=AFI's 100 Years...100 Thrills Nominees |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2011-08-26}}</ref> | |||
''Reservoir Dogs'' is regarded as an important and influential milestone of ]making.<ref name="Book" /><ref name="Water" /> Review aggregation website ] gives the film an approval rating of 90% based on 81 reviews, and an average rating of 8.9/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Thrumming with intelligence and energy, ''Reservoir Dogs'' opens Quentin Tarantino's filmmaking career with hard-hitting style."<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/reservoir_dogs/ | title = Reservoir Dogs (1992) | publisher = ] | work = ] | access-date = November 19, 2022 | archive-date = June 5, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200605042839/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/reservoir_dogs | url-status = live }}</ref> On ] the film has an average score of 81 out of 100, based on 24 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref>{{cite web |title=Reservoir Dogs |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/reservoir-dogs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726031659/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/reservoir-dogs |archive-date=July 26, 2020 |access-date=March 20, 2018 |work=] |publisher=]}}</ref> '']'' magazine named it the "Greatest Independent Film" ever made.<ref>{{cite magazine | last = Dirks | first = Tim | title = Empire's 50 Greatest Independent Films | url = http://www.filmsite.org/independentfilms3.html | magazine = Empire | access-date = February 21, 2008 | archive-date = October 27, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201027151543/https://www.filmsite.org/independentfilms3.html | url-status = live }}</ref> | |||
*]: | |||
**“Mr. Blonde” (Vic Vega) - Nominated Villain<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afi.com/Docs/100Years/handv400.pdf |title=AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes and Villains Nominees |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2011-08-26}}</ref> | |||
*]: | |||
**Stuck In The Middle with You - Nominated<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afi.com/Docs/100Years/songs400.pdf |title=AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2011-08-26}}</ref> | |||
*]: | |||
**"Are you gonna bark all day, little doggie, or are you gonna bite?" - Nominated<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afi.com/Docs/100Years/quotes400.pdf |title=AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes Nominees |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2011-08-26}}</ref> | |||
*] - Nominated Gangster Film<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afi.com/drop/ballot.pdf |title=AFI's 10 Top 10 Ballot |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2011-08-26}}</ref> | |||
At the film's release at the Sundance Film Festival, film critic ] of the '']'' compared the effect of ''Reservoir Dogs'' to that of the 1895 film '']'', when audiences supposedly saw a moving train approaching the camera and ducked. Bernard said that ''Reservoir Dogs'' had a similar effect and people were not ready for it.<ref name="Water">{{cite news |last=Persall |first=Steve |date=August 27, 2002 |title=The 'Reservoir' watershed |work=] |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2002/08/27/Floridian/The__Reservoir__water.shtml |url-status=dead |access-date=May 25, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070531202439/http://www.sptimes.com/2002/08/27/Floridian/The__Reservoir__water.shtml |archive-date=May 31, 2007}}</ref> ] of '']'' enjoyed the cast and the usage of non-linear storytelling. He similarly complimented Tarantino's directing and liked the fact that he did not often use close-ups in the film.<ref>{{cite news |last=Canby |first=Vincent |date=October 23, 1992 |title=Review/Film; A Caper Goes Wrong, Resoundingly |pages=Section C, page 14, column 1 |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/23/movies/review-film-a-caper-goes-wrong-resoundingly.html |access-date=May 23, 2023}}</ref> ] of the '']'' also enjoyed the film and the acting, particularly that of Buscemi, Tierney and Madsen, and said "Tarantino's palpable enthusiasm, his unapologetic passion for what he's created, reinvigorates this venerable plot and, mayhem aside, makes it involving for longer than you might suspect."<ref>{{cite news |last=Turan |first=Kenneth |date=October 30, 1992 |title=MOVIE REVIEW : 'Reservoir Dogs' Is a Brash Comic Opera of Violence |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-30-ca-760-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406020056/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-10-30-ca-760-story.html |archive-date=April 6, 2019}}</ref> Critic ] was of a similar opinion; he complimented both the cast and Tarantino's dialogue writing abilities.<ref>{{cite web |last=Berardinelli |first=James |title=Reservoir Dogs |url=http://preview.reelviews.net/movies/r/reservoir.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210172237/http://preview.reelviews.net/movies/r/reservoir.html |archive-date=December 10, 2019 |access-date=November 3, 2008 |website=ReelViews}}</ref> Hal Hinson of '']'' was also enthusiastic about the cast, complimenting the film on its "deadpan sense of humor".<ref>{{cite news | last = Hinson | first = Hal | title = Reservoir Dogs | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = October 24, 1992 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/reservoirdogsrhinson_a0a7c1.htm | access-date = March 11, 2008 | archive-date = May 11, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120511223725/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/reservoirdogsrhinson_a0a7c1.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> | |||
===Critical reaction=== | |||
At the film's release at the ], film critic ] of the '']'' compared the effect of ''Reservoir Dogs'' to that of the 1895 film '']'', whereby audiences putatively observed a moving train approaching the camera and scrambled. Bernard claimed that ''Reservoir Dogs'' had a similar effect and people were not ready for it.<ref name="Water">{{cite news|first=Steve|last=Persall|title=The 'Reservoir' watershed|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2002/08/27/Floridian/The__Reservoir__water.shtml|work=]|date=2002-08-27|accessdate=2007-05-25}}</ref> ] of the '']'' enjoyed the cast and the usage of non-linear storytelling. He similarly complimented Tarantino's directing and liked the fact that he did not often use close-ups in the film.<ref>{{cite news | |||
| last = Canby | |||
| first = Vincent | |||
| title = Vincent Canby review of ''Reservoir Dogs'' | |||
| pages = Section C, page 14, column 1 | |||
| publisher = New York Times | |||
| date = 1992-10-23 | |||
}}</ref> ] of the '']'' also enjoyed the film and the acting, particularly that of Buscemi, Tierney and Madsen, and said "Tarantino's palpable enthusiasm, his unapologetic passion for what he's created, reinvigorates this venerable plot and, mayhem aside, makes it involving for longer than you might suspect."<ref>{{cite news | |||
| last = Turan | |||
| first = Kenneth | |||
| title = Movie Reviews; City Mauls, N.Y. to L.A.; Reservoir Dogs, Tarantino's Brash Debut Film, Announces a Director to be Reckoned with | |||
| pages = Calendar; Part F; Page 1; Column 4; Entertainment Desk | |||
| publisher = LA Times | |||
| date = 1992-10-23 | |||
}}</ref> | |||
] was less enthusiastic |
] was less enthusiastic, as he felt that the script could have been better and said that the film "feels like it's going to be terrific", but Tarantino's script does not have much curiosity about the characters. He also said that Tarantino "has an idea, and trusts the idea to drive the plot." Ebert gave the film two and a half stars out of four and said that while he enjoyed it and that it was a very good film from a talented director, "I liked what I saw, but I wanted more."<ref>{{cite web |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |date=October 26, 1992 |title=Reservoir Dogs |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/reservoir-dogs-1992 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080210163122/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F19921026%2FREVIEWS%2F210260301%2F |archive-date=February 10, 2008 |access-date=September 2, 2012 |work=Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref> | ||
| last = Ebert | |||
| first = Roger | |||
| title = Roger Ebert review | |||
| work = Reservoir Dogs Looks Tougher Than It Really Is | |||
| pages = Section 2; Features; Movies; pg. 30 | |||
| publisher = Chicago Sun-Times | |||
| date = 1992-10-26 | |||
}}</ref> | |||
The film has received substantial criticism for its strong violence and language. One scene that viewers found particularly unnerving was the ear-cutting scene. Madsen himself reportedly had great difficulty finishing it, especially after Kirk Baltz ad-libbed the desperate plea "I've got a little kid at home."<ref>{{cite news | last= D'Angelo | first= Mike | title= Reservoir Dogs | url= https://www.avclub.com/reservoir-dogs-1798229427 | newspaper= ] | date= January 23, 2012 | access-date= April 20, 2020 | archive-date= November 11, 2013 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131111041906/http://www.avclub.com/articles/reservoir-dogs,67998/ | url-status= live }}</ref> Many people walked out during the film. During a screening at ], 15 people walked out, including ] director ] and ] artist ].<ref name=ClarksonW>{{cite book | last = Clarkson | first = Wensley | title = Quentin Tarantino – Shooting From The Hip | publisher = Piatkus | year = 1995 | location = London | pages = 180–181 | isbn = 0-7499-1555-2 }}</ref> Baker later told Tarantino to take the walkout as a "compliment" and explained that he found the violence unnerving because of its heightened sense of realism.<ref name=ClarksonW/> Tarantino commented about it at the time: "It happens at every single screening. For some people the violence, or the rudeness of the language, is a mountain they can't climb. That's OK. It's not their cup of tea. But I am affecting them. I wanted that scene to be disturbing."<ref name="Hartl">{{cite news |last=Hartl |first=John |date=October 29, 1992 |title='Dogs' Gets Walkouts and Raves |pages=Arts; Entertainment; page F5 |newspaper=The Seattle Times |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19921029/1521437/dogs-gets-walkouts-and-raves |url-status=live |access-date=January 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126084703/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19921029&slug=1521437 |archive-date=January 26, 2009}}</ref> | |||
The film has received substantial criticism for its strong violence and language. One scene that viewers found particularly unnerving was the ear-cutting scene; Madsen himself reportedly had great difficulty finishing it, especially after Kirk Baltz ad-libbed the desperate plea "I've got a little kid at home."<ref>{{cite news | last=Rensin | first=David | | title=Playboy- 20 Questions | url=http://www.playboy.co.uk/life-and-style/interview/80271/1/20Q-Michael-Madsen/commentsPage/1/contentPage/0 | publisher='']'' | year=1995}}{{Dead link|date=March 2011}}</ref> | |||
=== Analysis === | |||
Many people walked out during the film and Tarantino commented about it at the time: <blockquote> | |||
''Reservoir Dogs'' has often been seen as a prominent film in terms of on-screen violence.<ref name="Book">{{cite book | last = Gormley | first = Paul | pages = 137–139 | title = The New-brutality Film: Race and Affect in Contemporary Hollywood | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Ex-3dDhaS1wC&q=%22reservoir+dogs%22 | publisher = Intellect Ltd | date = August 1, 2005 | isbn = 1-84150-119-0 | access-date = October 3, 2020 | archive-date = March 3, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220303003605/https://books.google.com/books?id=Ex-3dDhaS1wC&q=%22reservoir+dogs%22 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | doi = 10.1525/fq.1993.46.4.04a00030 | last = McKinney | first = Devin | title = Violence: The Strong and the Weak | journal = ] | publisher = University of California Press | pages = 16–22 | volume=46 | issue = 4 |date=Summer 1993 | issn = 0015-1386 | jstor=1213142}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last = Brintnall | first = Kent L. | title = Tarantino's Incarnational Theology; Reservoir Dogs, Crucifixions and Spectacular Violence | journal = Cross Currents |volume=54 |number=1 |pages=66–75}}</ref> J. P. Telotte compared ''Reservoir Dogs'' to classic ] films and points out the irony in its ending scenes.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Telotte |first=J. P. |date=1996 |title=Fatal Capers, Strategy and Enigma in Film Noir |journal=] |volume=23 |issue=4 |page=163|doi=10.1080/01956051.1996.9943702 }}</ref> Mark Irwin also made the connection between ''Reservoir Dogs'' and classic American noir.<ref name="Irwin vol. 12; no. 1">{{Cite journal |last=Irwin |first=Mark |date=March 1998 |title=Pulp and the Pulpit: The Films of Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez |journal=Literature and Theology |volume=12 |issue=1|pages=70–81 |doi=10.1093/litthe/12.1.70 }}</ref> Caroline Jewers called ''Reservoir Dogs'' a "feudal epic" and paralleled the color pseudonyms to color names of medieval knights.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Jewers |first=Caroline |title=Heroes and Heroin: From True Romance to Pulp Fiction |journal=] |volume=33 |number=4 |date=2000 |pages=39–61, 45–46 |doi=10.1111/j.0022-3840.2000.3304_39.x |url= https://www.proquest.com/docview/195363594 |access-date=June 27, 2023|id={{ProQuest|195363594}} }}</ref> | |||
It happens at every single screening. For some people the violence, or the rudeness of the language, is a mountain they can't climb. That's OK. It's not their cup of tea. But I am affecting them. I wanted that scene to be disturbing.<ref name="Hartl">{{cite news | |||
| last = Hartl | |||
| first = John | |||
| title = `Dogs' Gets Walkouts and Raves | |||
| url = http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19921029&slug=1521437 | |||
| pages = Arts; Entertainment; page F5 | |||
| publisher = The Seattle Times | |||
| date = 1992-10-29 | |||
| accessdate = 2009-01-18}}</ref></blockquote> During a screening of the movie at a ] in ], fifteen people walked out, including ] director ] and ] artist ].<ref name=ClarksonW>{{cite book | last = Clarkson | first = Wensley | authorlink = Wensley Clarkson | title = Quentin Tarantino – Shooting From The Hip | publisher = Piatkus | year = 1995 | location = London | pages = 180–181 | isbn = 0-7499-1555-2 }}</ref> Baker later told Tarantino to take the walkout as a "compliment" and explained that he found the violence unnerving because of its heightened sense of realism.<ref name=ClarksonW/> | |||
Critic John Hartl compared the ear-cutting scene to the shower murder scene in '']'' and Tarantino to ]. He furthermore explored parallels between ''Reservoir Dogs'' and '']''.<ref name="Hartl"/> After this film, Tarantino was also compared to ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="Vries"/> |
Critics have observed parallels between ''Reservoir Dogs'' and other films. For its nonlinear storyline, ''Reservoir Dogs'' has often been compared to ]'s '']''.<ref name="Vries">{{cite news |last=de Vries |first=Hilary |date=September 11, 1994 |title=Cover Story: A Chat with Mr. Mayhem: Quentin Tarantino |pages=Calendar, p. 6, Calendar desk |newspaper=] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-11-ca-37458-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629155709/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-11-ca-37458-story.html |archive-date=June 29, 2019}}</ref> Critic John Hartl compared the ear-cutting scene to the shower murder scene in ]'s '']'' and Tarantino to ]. He furthermore explored parallels between ''Reservoir Dogs'' and '']''.<ref name="Hartl" /> Todd McCarthy, who called the film "undeniably impressive", was of the opinion that it was influenced by '']'', '']'', and ]'s '']''.<ref>{{cite magazine | last = McCarthy | first = Todd | title = Reservoir Dogs | url = https://variety.com/1992/film/reviews/reservoir-dogs-1200429146/ | magazine = Variety | date = January 27, 1992 | access-date = March 11, 2008 | archive-date = March 7, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080307063523/http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=review&reviewid=VE1117794411&categoryid=31&query=reservoir+dogs&display=reservoir+dogs&cs=1 | url-status = live }}</ref> After this film, Tarantino himself was also compared to ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="Vries" /> | ||
| last = de Vries | |||
| first = Hilary | |||
| title = Cover Story; A Chat with Mr. Mayhem; Quentin Tarantino Quickly Acquired Quite the Reputation for Violence; His 1992 Film, "Reservoir Dogs", was a Cult Hit, Now Comes "Pulp Fiction". Is he Trying to Outgun Himself or all of Hollywood? | |||
| pages = Calendar, p. 6, Calendar desk. | |||
| publisher = ] | |||
| date = 1994-09-11 | |||
}}</ref> Critic ] was of a similar opinion; he complimented both the cast and Tarantino's dialogue writing abilities.<ref>{{cite web | |||
| last = Berardinelli | |||
| first = James | |||
| title = Reservoir Dogs | |||
| url = http://www.reelviews.net/movies/r/reservoir.html | |||
| publisher = ReelViews | |||
| accessdate = 2008-11-03 }}</ref> Hal Hinson of '']'' was also enthusiastic about the cast, complimenting the film on its "deadpan sense of humor".<ref>{{cite web | |||
| last = Hinson | |||
| first = Hal | |||
| title = Reservoir Dogs | |||
| publisher = Washington Post | |||
| date = 1992-10-24 | |||
| url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/reservoirdogsrhinson_a0a7c1.htm | |||
| accessdate = 2008-03-11 }}</ref> Todd McCarthy called the film "undeniably impressive" and was of the opinion that it was influenced by '']'', '']'' and '']''.<ref>{{cite web | |||
| last = McCarthy | |||
| first = Todd | |||
| title = Reservoir Dogs | |||
| url = http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=review&reviewid=VE1117794411&categoryid=31&query=reservoir+dogs&display=reservoir+dogs&cs=1 | |||
| publisher = Variety | |||
| date = 1992-01-27 | |||
| accessdate = 2008-03-11 }}</ref> | |||
Reservoir Dogs also ranks at number 97 in '']'' magazines list of the 500 Greatest Films of All Time..<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.empireonline.com/500/80.asp|title=The 500 Greatest Movies Of All Time|work=Empire|publisher=Bauer Media Group|accessdate={{nowrap|August 17, 2011}}|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6100w1klu|archivedate={{nowrap|August 17, 2011}}| deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
A frequently cited comparison has been to Tarantino's second and more successful film '']'',<ref name="Accidents">{{cite journal | doi = 10.1177/026327698015002004 | last = Botting | first = Fred |author2=Scott Wilson | title = By Accident: The Tarantinian Ethics | journal = ] | volume = 15 | page = 89 | year = 1998 | issue = 2 | s2cid = 143804267 }}</ref><ref name="Irwin vol. 12; no. 1" /> especially since the majority of audiences saw ''Reservoir Dogs'' after the success of ''Pulp Fiction''. Comparisons have been made regarding the black humor in both the films, the theme of accidents,<ref name="Accidents" /> and more concretely, the style of dialogue and narrative that Tarantino incorporates into both films.<ref name="Race">{{cite news | last = Crouch | first = Stanley | title = Film Comment; Pulp Friction: Director Quentin Tarantino's Movies are Best Known for their Wit and Mayhem, but What You Don't Hear About is their Original Take on Race | work = ] | pages = Calendar; Page 5; Calendar Desk | date = October 16, 1994 |url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-10-16-ca-51005-story.html |access-date=May 24, 2023 }}</ref> Specifically the relationship between white people and black people plays a big part in the films{{mdash}}though underplayed in ''Reservoir Dogs''. Stanley Crouch of '']'' compared the way the white criminals speak of black people in ''Reservoir Dogs'' to the way they are spoken of in Scorsese's '']'' and '']''. Crouch observed the way black people are looked down upon in ''Reservoir Dogs'', but also the way that the criminals accuse each other of "verbally imitating" black men and the characters' apparent sexual attraction to black actress ].<ref name="Race" /> | |||
===Critical analysis=== | |||
''Reservoir Dogs'' has often been seen as a prominent film in terms of on-screen violence.<ref name="Book">{{cite book | |||
| last = Gormley | |||
| first = Paul | |||
| pages = 137–139 | |||
| title = The New-brutality Film: Race and Affect in Contemporary Hollywood | |||
| url = http://books.google.com/?id=Ex-3dDhaS1wC&dq=%22reservoir+dogs%22 | |||
| publisher = Intellect Ltd | |||
| date = 2005-08-01 | |||
| isbn = 1841501190 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | |||
| doi = 10.1525/fq.1993.46.4.04a00030 | |||
| last = McKinney | |||
| first = Devin | |||
| title = Violence: The Strong and the Weak | |||
| work = Film Quarterly | |||
| publisher = University of California Press | |||
| pages = 16–22 | |||
| volume=46 |issue= 4 | |||
| journal = Film Quarterly |date=Summer, 1993 | |||
| issn = 0015-1386 | |||
| jstor=1213142}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | |||
| last = Brintnall | |||
| first = Kent L. | |||
| title = Tarantino's Incarnational Theology; Reservoir Dogs, Crucifixions and Spectacular Violence | |||
| publisher = Cross Currents | |||
}}</ref> J.P. Telotte compared ''Reservoir Dogs'' to classic ] films and points out the irony in its ending scenes.<ref>{{cite news | |||
| last = Telotte | |||
| first = J.P. | |||
| title = Fatal Capers, Strategy and Enigma in Film Noir | |||
| year = 1996 | |||
| publisher = Journal of Popular Film and Television | |||
| page = 163 }}</ref> Mark Irwin also made the connection between ''Reservoir Dogs'' and classic American noir.<ref name="Irwin vol. 12; no. 1">{{cite news | |||
| last = Irwin | |||
| first = Mark | |||
| title = Pulp and the Pulpit: The Films of Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez | |||
| publisher = Literature and Theology | |||
| pages = vol. 12; no. 1 | |||
| date = March 1998 | |||
}}</ref> | |||
In February 2012, as part of an ongoing series of live dramatic readings of film scripts being staged with the ] (LACMA), director ] cast black actors in the originally white cast: ] as Mr. White; ] as Mr. Blonde; ] as Mr. Pink; ] as Mr. Orange; ] as Joe Cabot; ] as Nice Guy Eddie (Joe Cabot's son); ] as both Mr. Brown and Officer Nash (the torture victim of Mr. Blonde), and ] as Holdaway (the mentor cop who was originally played by Randy Brooks, the only black actor in the film). Critic ] suggested that Reitman's version of the script was taking the source material back to its roots since the characters "all sound like black dudes."<ref>{{cite news|last=Breznican|first=Anthony|title=Laurence Fishburne as Mr. White! Inside the all-black (almost) 'Reservoir Dogs' reading|url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/02/17/laurence-fishburne-as-mr-white-inside-the-all-black-almost-reservoir-dogs-reading/|access-date=April 9, 2012|newspaper=]|date=February 17, 2012|archive-date=April 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423013330/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/02/17/laurence-fishburne-as-mr-white-inside-the-all-black-almost-reservoir-dogs-reading/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
A notable motif in Tarantino's films is the use of accidents to move the plot further. In ''Reservoir Dogs'', the major plot event is also moved by an accidental occurrence; in this case the robbery going awry.<ref name="Accidents"/> Caroline Jewers called ''Reservoir Dogs'' a "feudal epic" and compared it to '']''. She paralleled the color pseudonyms to color names of medieval knights.<ref>{{cite news | |||
| last = Jewers | |||
| first = Caroline | |||
| title = Heroes and Heroin: From True Romance to Pulp Fiction | |||
| page = 7 | |||
| publisher = University of Kansas | |||
}}</ref> | |||
=== Accolades === | |||
A frequently cited comparison has been to Tarantino's second and more successful film ''Pulp Fiction'',<ref name="Accidents">{{cite journal | |||
{{Anchor|Awards}} | |||
| doi = 10.1177/026327698015002004 | |||
The film was screened out of competition at the ].<ref name="festival-cannes.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/30/year/1992.html |title=Festival de Cannes: Reservoir Dogs |access-date=August 17, 2009 |work=festival-cannes.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807002342/http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/30/year/1992.html |archive-date=August 7, 2012}}</ref> | |||
| last = Botting | |||
It won the Critic's Award at the 4th ] in February 1993, which Tarantino attended.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://yubarifanta.com/archive.php?num=1993&langue=21002 |title=Archive: Yubari International Fantastic Adventure Film Festival '93 |website=yubarifanta.com |access-date=February 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040407040236/http://yubarifanta.com/index_pc.php?ct=archive.php&langue=21002 |archive-date=April 7, 2004 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The film was also nominated for the ] of the ].<ref>{{cite news |last=De Decker |first=Jacques |date=January 10, 1994 |title=Le Grand Prix de l'UCC, "Raining Stones" vainqueur |language=fr |page=8 |journal=] |url=http://archives.lesoir.be/le-grand-prix-de-l-ucc-raining-stones-vainqueur_t-19940110-Z07P9M.html |url-status=dead |access-date=October 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602065253/http://archives.lesoir.be/le-grand-prix-de-l-ucc-raining-stones-vainqueur_t-19940110-Z07P9M.html |archive-date=June 2, 2013}}</ref> ] won the 1992 ].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Wiener|first1=Tom|title=The Off-Hollywood Film Guide: The Definitive Guide to Independent and Foreign Films on Video and DVD|date=August 13, 2002|publisher=Random House Publishing Group|location=Reservoir Dogs|isbn=9780679647379|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BvLNn3boZjoC&pg=PT526|access-date=May 11, 2016|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819010247/https://books.google.com/books?id=BvLNn3boZjoC&pg=PT526|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Reservoir Dogs'' ranks at {{Abbr|No.|Number}} 97 in '']'' magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Films of All Time.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 500 Greatest Movies Of All Time |url=http://www.empireonline.com/500/80.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011071232/http://www.empireonline.com/500/80.asp |archive-date=October 11, 2011 |access-date=August 17, 2011 |work=Empire |publisher=Bauer Media Group}}</ref> In 2024, ''Reservoir Dogs'' was ranked second on the list of the ]'s Top 10 films of All Time based on a survey conducted with 500 filmmakers and critics in honor of the festival's 40th anniversary.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-01-16 |title=Alliance of Women Directors Announces Inaugural Rising Director Fellowship Class – Film News in Brief |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/film-news-in-brief-jan-16-2024-1235873931/ |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bergeson |first=Samantha |date=2024-01-16 |title='Whiplash' Named Top Sundance Film of All Time in Festival Poll of Over 500 Filmmakers and Critics |url=https://www.indiewire.com/news/breaking-news/sundance-top-10-films-all-time-whiplash-1234944417/ |access-date=2024-04-10 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
| first = Fred | |||
| coauthors = Scott Wilson | |||
| title = By Accident: The Tarantinian Ethics | |||
| url = http://tcs.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/15/2/89 | |||
| journal = Theory, Culture & Society | |||
| volume = 15 | |||
| page = 89 | |||
| year = 1998 | |||
| accessdate = 2008-03-25 | |||
| issue = 2 }}</ref><ref name="Irwin vol. 12; no. 1"/><ref>{{cite news | |||
| last = Jewers | |||
| first = Caroline | |||
| title = Heroes and Heroin: From True Romance to Pulp Fiction | |||
| publisher = University of Kansas | |||
}}</ref> especially since the majority of audiences saw ''Reservoir Dogs'' after the success of ''Pulp Fiction''. Comparisons have been made regarding the black humor in both the films, the theme of accidents,<ref name="Accidents"/> and more concretely, the style of dialogue and narrative style that Tarantino incorporates into both of his movies.<ref name="Race">{{cite news | |||
| last = Crouch | |||
| first = Stanley | |||
| title = Film Comment; Pulp Friction: Director Quentin Tarantino's Movies are Best Known for their Wit and Mayhem, but What You Don't Hear About is their Original Take on Race | |||
| work = ] | |||
| pages = Calendar; Page 5; Calendar Desk | |||
| date = 1994-10-16 }}</ref> Also, the theme of racism plays a big part in the films, specifically the relationship between whites and blacks. Stanley Crouch of '']'' compared the way the white criminals speak of blacks in ''Reservoir Dogs'' to the way they are spoken of in Scorsese's '']'' and '']''. Crouch observed the way the blacks are looked down upon in ''Reservoir Dogs'', but also the way that the criminals accuse each other of "verbally imitating" the blacks and the characters' apparent sexual attraction to black actress ].<ref name="Race"/> | |||
* ]: | |||
==Home releases== | |||
** Mr. Blonde – Nominated Villain | |||
] DVDs of ''Reservoir Dogs'' have been released multiple times. The first release was a single two-sided disc from ], released in June 1997 and featuring both ] and ] versions of the film.<ref>. ].</ref> Five years later, Artisan did a two-disc 10th anniversary edition featuring multiple covers color-coded to match the nicknames of five of the characters (Pink, White, Orange, Blonde and Brown) and a disc of bonus features such as interviews with the cast and crew.<ref name="Artisan">{{cite web | |||
| last = Rivero| first = Enrique | |||
| title = 'Dogs' DVD Develops Multiple Personalities : Anniversary 'Reservoir Dogs' DVD Has Extras and Five Different Styles to Boot.('Reservoir Dogs' DVD released by Artisan Home Entertainment)(Brief Article) | |||
| url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-87089526.html | |||
| work=Video Store (magazine) | publisher = HighBeam Research | |||
| date = 2002-05-26 | |||
| accessdate = 2008-04-25 }}</ref> | |||
== Home media == | |||
For the 15th anniversary of the film, ], which had purchased Artisan in the interim, produced a two-disc 15th anniversary edition with a remastered ] transfer, a new supplement, but not all of the extra features from the 10th Anniversary edition.<ref name="monsters">{{cite web | |||
In the United Kingdom, release of the VHS rental video was delayed until 1995 due to the ] initially refusing the film a home video certificate (UK releases are required to be certified separately for theatrical release and for viewing at home).<ref name="BBFC" /> The latter is a requirement by law due to the ].<ref name="BBFC" /> Following the UK VHS release approval, ] released a "Mr Blonde Deluxe Edition",<ref>{{cite web|title=Reservoir Dogs |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000057QG8|website=Amazon UK|date=November 6, 1995|access-date=September 10, 2017|archive-date=March 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303003549/https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000057QG8|url-status=live}}</ref> which included an interview with Tarantino and several memorabilia associated with the character Mr. Blonde, such as sunglasses and a chrome toothpick holder. | |||
| title = DVD Review: Reservoir Dogs (15th Anniversary Edition) | |||
| url = http://www.monstersandcritics.com/dvd/reviews/article_1215898.php | |||
| publisher = monstersandcritics.com | |||
| accessdate =2008-05-27 }}</ref> In particular, interviews with the cast and crew were dropped, and a new 48-minute-long feature called "Tributes and Dedications" was included.<ref name="monsters"/> The packaging for the 15th anniversary edition is fancier: the discs are enclosed in a large ], and the matchbook is in a thin aluminum case made to resemble a gas can. | |||
] DVDs of ''Reservoir Dogs'' have been released multiple times. The first release was a single two-sided disc from ], released in June 1997 and featuring two versions of the film: the original ] 2.35:1 widescreen version and an ] 1.33:1 full screen version.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Holm|first1=D.K.|title=Quentin Tarantino: The Pocket Essential Guide|date=December 1, 2004|publisher=Summersdale Publishers|isbn=978-1-84839-866-5|page=48|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NAL0CQAAQBAJ&pg=PA48|access-date=October 17, 2015|archive-date=October 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018012735/https://books.google.com/books?id=NAL0CQAAQBAJ&pg=PA48|url-status=live}}</ref> Five years later, on August 27, 2002, Artisan Entertainment (who changed their name from LIVE Entertainment in the interim) released a two-disc 10th anniversary edition on DVD and VHS featuring multiple covers color-coded to match the nicknames of five of the characters (Pink, White, Orange, Blonde, and Brown) and a disc of bonus features such as interviews with the cast and crew.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rivero |first=Enrique |date=May 23, 2002 |title=Dogs' DVD Develops Multiple Personalities |url=http://www.hive4media.com/news/html/product_article.cfm?article_id=3168 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020604225155/http://www.hive4media.com/news/html/product_article.cfm?article_id=3168 |archive-date=June 4, 2002 |access-date=September 10, 2019 |website=hive4media.com}}</ref> However, the full screen version on the second disc was a ] transfer from the 2.35:1 widescreen version, as opposed to open matte like the 1997 DVD. | |||
==Soundtrack== | |||
{{Infobox album | |||
| Name = Reservoir Dogs | |||
| Cover = Reservoir Dogs soundtrack.jpg | |||
| Type = Soundtrack | |||
| Artist = Various Artists | |||
| Released = October 13, 1992 | |||
| Length = 30:50 | |||
| Genre = ] | |||
| Label = ] | |||
| Producer = | |||
| Reviews = ] {{Rating|4.5|5}} | |||
| Chronology = ] film soundtracks | |||
| Last album = | |||
| This album = '''''Reservoir Dogs'''''<br/>(1992) | |||
| Next album = '']''<br/>(1994) | |||
}} | |||
The ''Reservoir Dogs: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'' was the first soundtrack for a ] film and set the structure his later soundtracks would follow.<ref>{{cite web | |||
| last = Stovall | |||
| first = Natasha | |||
| title = Jackie Brown Original Soundtrack | |||
| publisher = Salon | |||
| url = http://www.salon.com/music/sharps/1997/12/22sharps.html | |||
| date = 1997-12-22 | |||
| accessdate = 2008-05-05 }}</ref> This includes the use of snippets of dialogue from the film. The soundtrack has selections of songs from the 1970s. The radio station "K-Billy's Super Sounds of the Seventies" played a prominent role in the film.<ref>{{cite web | |||
| last = Strauss | |||
| first = Neil | |||
| title = The Pop Life Tarantino's music | |||
| url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F07E2DD1E3AF93AA1575AC0A962958260 | |||
| publisher = New York Times | |||
| date = 1994-09-29 | |||
| accessdate = 2008-05-05 }}</ref> The DJ for the radio was chosen to be ], a comedian known for his deadpan delivery of jokes.<ref name="Wright"/> | |||
For the film's 15th anniversary, ] (which had purchased Artisan in the interim) produced a two-disc anniversary edition with a remastered ] transfer and a new supplement, but not all of the extra features from the 10th Anniversary edition.<ref name="monsters">{{cite web |title=DVD Review: Reservoir Dogs (15th Anniversary Edition) |url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/dvd/reviews/article_1215898.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601064458/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/dvd/reviews/article_1215898.php |archive-date=June 1, 2008 |access-date=May 27, 2008 |website=monstersandcritics.com}}</ref> In particular, the interviews with the cast and crew were removed, and a new 48-minute-long feature called "Tributes and Dedications" was included.<ref name="monsters" /> | |||
An unusual feature of the soundtrack was the choice of songs. The film uses music from the 1970s. Tarantino has said that he feels the music to be a counterpoint to the on-screen violence and action.<ref name="Breen">{{cite web | |||
| last = Breen | |||
| first = Marcus | |||
| title = Woof, Woof: The real bite in Reservoir Dogs | |||
| publisher = Australian Humanities Review | |||
| month = December | year = 1996 | |||
| url = http://www.lib.latrobe.edu.au/AHR/archive/Issue-Dec-1996/breen.html | |||
| accessdate = 2008-03-10 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080303144739/http://www.lib.latrobe.edu.au/AHR/archive/Issue-Dec-1996/breen.html |archivedate = March 3, 2008}}</ref> He also stated that he wished for the film to have a 1950s feel while using '70s music.<ref name="Breen"/> A prominent instance of this is the torture scene to the tune of "]".<ref>{{cite web | |||
| last = Jardine | |||
| first = Dan | |||
| title = The Killing Fields (on Reservoir Dogs) | |||
| url = http://www.thefilmjournal.com/issue10/reservoirdogs.html | |||
| publisher = The Film Journal | |||
| accessdate = 2008-03-10 }}</ref> | |||
Lionsgate Home Entertainment celebrated the 30th anniversary of ''Reservoir Dogs'' with a ] release, which was released in the U.S. on November 15, 2022.<ref>{{Citation |title=Reservoir Dogs 30th Anniversary 4K Blu-ray |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=31134 |access-date=August 22, 2022}}</ref> | |||
;Track listing | |||
#"And Now Little Green Bag..." (Dialogue extract performed by Steven Wright) – 0:15 | |||
#"]" by ] – 3:15 | |||
#"Rock Flock of Five" (Dialogue extract performed by Steven Wright) – 0:11 | |||
#"]" by ] – 2:53 | |||
#"Bohemiath" (Dialogue extract performed by Steven Wright) – 0:34 | |||
#"]" by ] – 2:27 | |||
#"]" by Bedlam – 5:10 | |||
#"Madonna Speech" (Dialogue extract performed by ], ], ], ] and ]) – 0:59 | |||
#"Fool for Love" by Sandy Rogers – 3:25 | |||
#"Super Sounds" (Dialogue extract performed by Steven Wright) – 0:19 | |||
#"]" by ] – 3:23 | |||
#"Harvest Moon" by Bedlam – 2:38 | |||
#"Let's Get a Taco" (Dialogue extract performed by ] and ]) – 1:02 | |||
#"Keep on Truckin'" (Dialogue extract performed by Steven Wright) – 0:16 | |||
#"]" by ] – 3:50 | |||
#"Home of Rock" (Dialogue extract performed by Steven Wright) – 0:05 | |||
== |
== Soundtrack == | ||
{{Main|Reservoir Dogs (soundtrack)}} | |||
The ''Reservoir Dogs: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack'' was the first soundtrack for a Tarantino film and set the structure his later soundtracks would follow.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stovall |first=Natasha |title=Jackie Brown Original Soundtrack |work=Salon |url=http://www1.salon.com/music/sharps/1997/12/22sharps.html |date=December 22, 1997 |access-date=March 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208103310/http://www.salon.com/music/sharps/1997/12/22sharps.html |archive-date=February 8, 2011 }}</ref> This includes the extensive use of snippets of dialogue from the film. The soundtrack has selections of songs from the 1960s to '80s. Only the group Bedlam recorded original songs for the film. Reasoning that the film takes place over a weekend, Tarantino decided to set it to a fictional radio station 'K-Billy' (presumably KBLY)'s show "K-Billy's Super Sounds of the Seventies Weekend", a themed weekend show of broadcasts of songs from the seventies. The radio station played a prominent role in the film.<ref>{{cite news |last=Strauss |first=Neil |date=September 29, 1994 |title=The Pop Life |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/29/arts/the-pop-life-382523.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207213029/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F07E2DD1E3AF93AA1575AC0A962958260 |archive-date=December 7, 2008}}</ref> The DJ for the radio was chosen to be ], a comedian known for his deadpan delivery of jokes.<ref name="Wright">{{cite news | last = Howe | first = Desson | title = Reservoir Dogs | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/reservoirdogsrhowe_a0af27.htm | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = October 23, 1992 | access-date = May 2, 2013 | archive-date = November 8, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121108073933/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/reservoirdogsrhowe_a0af27.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> | |||
An unusual feature of the soundtrack was the choice of songs; Tarantino has said that he feels the music to be a counterpoint to the on-screen violence and action.<ref name="Breen">{{cite web |last=Breen |first=Marcus |date=December 1996 |title=Woof, Woof: The real bite in Reservoir Dogs |url=http://www.lib.latrobe.edu.au/AHR/archive/Issue-Dec-1996/breen.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303144739/http://www.lib.latrobe.edu.au/AHR/archive/Issue-Dec-1996/breen.html |archive-date=March 3, 2008 |access-date=March 10, 2008 |website=Australian Humanities Review}}</ref> He also stated that he wished for the film to have a 1950s feel while using '70s music.<ref name="Breen" /> A prominent instance of this is the torture scene to the tune of "]".<ref>{{cite web |last=Jardine |first=Dan |title=The Killing Fields (on Reservoir Dogs) |url=http://www.thefilmjournal.com/issue10/reservoirdogs.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214055601/http://www.thefilmjournal.com/issue10/reservoirdogs.html |archive-date=December 14, 2007 |access-date=March 10, 2008 |website=The Film Journal}}</ref> | |||
== Video games == | |||
{{Main|Reservoir Dogs (video game)}} | {{Main|Reservoir Dogs (video game)}} | ||
A video game based on the film was released in 2006 for ], ], and ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/09/15/reservoir-dogs-mark-release-territory|title=Reservoir Dogs Mark Release Territory|website=]|author=IGN Staff|date=September 15, 2006|access-date=November 28, 2024|archive-date=November 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241128081722/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/09/15/reservoir-dogs-mark-release-territory|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the game does not feature the likeness of any of the actors with the exception of ]. The game was received unfavorably, with ] calling it "an out and out failure".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/reservoirdogs/ |work=] |title=Reservoir Dogs |access-date=March 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014153606/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/reservoirdogs/ |archive-date=October 14, 2007 |publisher=] |date=October 24, 2006}}</ref> It caused controversy for its amount of violence and it was banned in Australia,<ref>{{cite press release |title=''Reservoir Dogs'' computer game Refused Classification |work=] |date=June 28, 2006 |url=http://www.classification.gov.au/Public/Resources/Documents/2006%20media%20releases/ReservoirDogs.pdf |access-date=July 7, 2006 |first=Brinsley |last=Marlay |publisher=], ] |archive-date=May 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501124233/http://www.classification.gov.au/Public/Resources/Documents/2006%20media%20releases/ReservoirDogs.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Germany and New Zealand.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Reservoir Dogs Computer Game Banned |publisher=] |date=July 7, 2006 |url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00059.htm |access-date=July 7, 2006 |work=] |archive-date=July 16, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060716092216/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00059.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
A video game based on the film was released in 2006 for ], ] and ]. However, the game does not feature the likeness of any of the actors with the exception of ]. GameSpot called it "an out and out failure".<ref>{{cite web | |||
| url = http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/reservoirdogs/ | |||
Another video game, ''Reservoir Dogs: Bloody Days'', was released in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kollar |first=Philip |title=There's a new Reservoir Dogs video game, and it actually looks cool |work=] |date=March 10, 2017 |url=http://www.polygon.com/2017/3/10/14879234/reservoir-dogs-bloody-days-gameplay-reveal-quentin-tarantino-video-game-time-back-system |access-date=March 10, 2017 |publisher=] |archive-date=March 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311193639/http://www.polygon.com/2017/3/10/14879234/reservoir-dogs-bloody-days-gameplay-reveal-quentin-tarantino-video-game-time-back-system |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
| publisher = Gamespot | |||
| title = Reservoir Dogs | |||
On December 14, 2017,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Payday 2™: Reservoir Dogs Heist Out Now |url=https://www.starbreeze.com/2017/12/payday-2-reservoir-dogs-heist-out-now/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010080120/https://www.starbreeze.com/2017/12/payday-2-reservoir-dogs-heist-out-now/ |archive-date=October 10, 2019 |access-date=October 10, 2019 |website=Starbreeze |language=en-US}}</ref> ] added a heist to '']'' inspired by ''Reservoir Dogs'' in which the player is contracted to rob a jewelry store in Los Angeles with the Cabot family. It is unique in that the heist is played in reverse order, with day two occurring prior to day one, similar to how the film's plot is out of chronological order. | |||
| accessdate = 2008-03-10 }}</ref> It caused controversy for its amount of violence and was banned in Australia<ref name="Australia">{{cite press release|title=''Reservoir Dogs'' computer game Refused Classification (PDF)|publisher=Australian Office of Film and Literature Classification|date=2006-06-28| url=http://www.oflc.gov.au/resource.html?resource=858&filename=858.pdf|format=PDF| accessdate=2006-07-07}}{{Dead link|date=March 2011}}</ref> and New Zealand.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Reservoir Dogs Computer Game Banned|publisher=New Zealand Office of Film and Literature Classification|date=2006-07-07|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00059.htm| accessdate=2006-07-07}}</ref> | |||
== Remakes == | |||
'']'', a ] film released in 2002, is a remake of ''Reservoir Dogs'', combined with elements of ''City on Fire''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/jul/27gupta.htm |title=Who is the surprise package of Kaante? |date=July 27, 2002 |work=] |access-date=November 16, 2014 |first=Sanjay |last=Gupta |author-link=Sanjay Gupta (director) |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021090412/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/jul/27gupta.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The film also borrows plot points from '']'' and '']''. Tarantino has been quoted as saying that ''Kaante'' is his favorite among the many films inspired by his work.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jha |first=Subhash K. |author-link=Subhash K. Jha |title=Tarantino likes the cop-y & robber tale |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/lucknow-times/Tarantino-likes-the-cop-y-robber-tale/articleshow/2029668.cms |access-date=January 31, 2015 |newspaper=] |location=Mumbai |date=May 11, 2007 |archive-date=October 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018012735/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/lucknow-times/Tarantino-likes-the-cop-y-robber-tale/articleshow/2029668.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> Tarantino later screened ''Kaante'' at his ] alongside ''Reservoir Dogs'' and ''City on Fire''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gaekwad |first=Manish |date=May 23, 2017 |title='Kaante' goes to Hollywood, where it always wanted to belong |work=] |url=https://scroll.in/reel/832509/kaante-goes-to-hollywood-where-it-always-wanted-to-belong |url-status=live |access-date=August 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106175855/https://scroll.in/reel/832509/kaante-goes-to-hollywood-where-it-always-wanted-to-belong |archive-date=January 6, 2019}}</ref> | |||
Tarantino revealed in June 2021 that he had at one point considered remaking ''Reservoir Dogs'' as his tenth and final directed film, though he quickly iterated that he "won't do it".<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 26, 2021|title=Quentin Tarantino Considered A Reservoir Dogs Reboot As His Final Film|url=https://screenrant.com/quentin-tarantino-final-movie-reservoir-dogs-reboot/|access-date=June 27, 2021|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US|archive-date=June 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626225305/https://screenrant.com/quentin-tarantino-final-movie-reservoir-dogs-reboot/|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==See also== | |||
{{Portal|Film|1990s}} | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* '']'' (2002), which was inspired by ''Reservoir Dogs'' | |||
* ] | |||
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* {{rotten-tomatoes|reservoir_dogs|Reservoir Dogs}} | |||
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Latest revision as of 06:49, 6 January 2025
1992 American crime film by Quentin Tarantino This article is about the film. For the video game, see Reservoir Dogs (video game). For the Bliss n Eso song, see Reservoir Dogs (song).
Reservoir Dogs | |
---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Quentin Tarantino |
Written by | Quentin Tarantino |
Produced by | Lawrence Bender |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Andrzej Sekuła |
Edited by | Sally Menke |
Production companies |
|
Distributed by | Miramax Films |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 99 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $1.2–3 million |
Box office | $2.9 million |
Reservoir Dogs is a 1992 American crime film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino in his feature-length directorial debut. It stars Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Chris Penn, Steve Buscemi, Lawrence Tierney, Michael Madsen, Tarantino, and Edward Bunker as diamond thieves whose heist of a jewelry store goes terribly wrong. Kirk Baltz, Randy Brooks, and Steven Wright also play supporting roles. The film incorporates many motifs that have become Tarantino's hallmarks: violent crime, pop culture references, profanity, and nonlinear storytelling.
The film is regarded as a classic of independent film and a cult film. Although controversial at first for its depictions of violence and heavy use of profanity, Reservoir Dogs was generally well-received, and the cast was praised by many critics. Despite not being heavily promoted during its theatrical run, the film became a modest success in the United States after grossing $2.9 million against its scant budget. It achieved higher popularity after the success of Tarantino's next film, Pulp Fiction (1994). A soundtrack was released featuring songs used in the film, which are mostly from the 1970s. It was named "Greatest Independent Film of All Time" by the British film magazine Empire, who in 2008 also named it the 97th-greatest film ever made.
Plot
Eight men eat breakfast at a diner. All but the boss and his son, Joe Cabot and "Nice Guy" Eddie Cabot, use aliases: Mr. Brown, Mr. White, Mr. Blonde, Mr. Blue, Mr. Orange, and Mr. Pink.
The men carry out a diamond heist. White flees with Orange, who was shot during the escape and is bleeding profusely in the back seat of a car driven by White. At their hideout, White and Orange rendezvous with Pink, who believes that the job was a setup and that the police were waiting for them. White informs him that Brown is dead, Blue and Blonde are missing, and Blonde murdered several civilians during the heist. White is furious that Joe, his old friend, would employ Blonde, whom he describes as a psychopath. Pink has hidden the diamonds nearby and argues with White over whether to get medical attention for Orange, and the pair draw guns on each other. They stand down when Blonde arrives with a kidnapped policeman, Marvin Nash.
Sometime earlier, Blonde meets with the Cabots, having been paroled after a four-year prison sentence. To reward him for not giving Joe's name to the authorities, they offer him a no-show job. Blonde is grateful but insists that he wants to get back to "real work", and they recruit him for the heist.
In the present, White and Pink beat Nash for information. Eddie arrives and orders them to go with him to ditch the getaway vehicles, leaving Blonde in charge of Nash and Orange. Nash denies knowledge, but Blonde ignores him and resumes the torture, cutting off Nash's ear with a straight razor. He prepares to set him on fire, but Orange shoots Blonde dead. Orange reveals to Nash that he is an undercover police officer, and that the police will arrive when Joe comes to the warehouse.
When Eddie, Pink, and White return, Orange tries to convince them that Blonde planned to kill them all and steal the diamonds for himself. Eddie shoots and kills Nash and accuses Orange of lying, since Blonde was loyal to his father. Joe arrives with news that the police have killed Blue. He is about to execute Orange, who he suspects is the traitor behind the setup, but White intervenes and holds Joe at gunpoint, insisting that Orange is not a police officer. Eddie aims his gun at White, creating a Mexican standoff. All three fire. Both Cabots are killed, and White and Orange are hit.
Pink takes the diamonds and flees, but a crash is heard outside and gunshots follow. As White cradles the dying Orange in his arms, Orange confesses that he is a police officer. White presses his gun to Orange's head. The police storm the warehouse and order White to drop his gun. White is killed by the police after he shoots Orange.
Cast
- Harvey Keitel as Larry Dimmick / Mr. White
- Tim Roth as Freddy Newendyke / Mr. Orange
- Michael Madsen as "Toothpick" Vic Vega / Mr. Blonde
- Chris Penn as "Nice Guy" Eddie Cabot
- Steve Buscemi as Mr. Pink
- Lawrence Tierney as Joe Cabot
- Randy Brooks as Holdaway
- Kirk Baltz as Marvin Nash
- Edward Bunker as Mr. Blue
- Quentin Tarantino as Mr. Brown
- David Steen as Sheriff #2
- Steven Wright as K-Billy DJ (voice)
Rich Turner played Sheriff #1. Nina Siemaszko played police officer Jody McClusky; her scenes were deleted from the theatrical release. There is an unseen accomplice of Joe and Eddie who speaks to Eddie on the phone. His name is Dov Schwarz, named after the sound editor on My Best Friend's Birthday.
Production
Quentin Tarantino had been working at Video Archives, a video store in Manhattan Beach, California, and originally planned to shoot the film with his friends on a budget of $30,000 in a 16 mm black-and-white format, with himself playing Mr. Pink and producer Lawrence Bender playing both Nice Guy Eddie and a police officer chasing Mr. Pink. Bender gave the script to his acting teacher, whose wife gave the script to Harvey Keitel. Keitel liked it enough to sign as a co-producer so Tarantino and Bender would have an easier job finding funding; with his assistance, they raised $1.5 million. Keitel also paid for Tarantino and Bender to host casting sessions in New York, where the duo found Steve Buscemi, Michael Madsen, and Tim Roth. Jon Cryer was asked to audition for the role of Mr. Pink, but he backed out at the last minute. James Woods was also considered for Mr. Pink, but his agent turned it down without telling him. Viggo Mortensen and George Clooney also read for roles, while Tim Roth's agents originally wanted him to be Mr. Pink or Mr. Blonde, but he preferred Mr. Orange because he would "be an English actor pretending to be American playing a cop pretending to be a robber".
The film contains multiple homages to other films. Tarantino himself has said that Reservoir Dogs was influenced by Stanley Kubrick's 1956 film noir The Killing: "I didn't go out of my way to do a rip-off of The Killing, but I did think of it as my 'Killing', my take on that kind of heist movie." The film's plot was also inspired by the 1952 film Kansas City Confidential. Additionally, Joseph H. Lewis's 1955 film The Big Combo and Sergio Corbucci's 1966 Spaghetti Western Django inspired the scene where a police officer is tortured in a chair. Having the main characters named after colors (Mr. Pink, White, Brown, etc.) was first seen in the 1974 film The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. The film also contains key elements similar to those found in Ringo Lam's 1987 film City on Fire. Tarantino praised the film City on Fire and mentioned it as a major influence.
Tarantino said that everybody hated Lawrence Tierney by the end of the first week of production.
The warehouse scenes were filmed in an unused mortuary filled with caskets, funeral equipment, embalming fluid, and a hearse. Mr. Orange's apartment was a room on the second floor of the mortuary, set to look like living quarters. The building has since been demolished.
Tarantino's decision not to film the diamond robbery was twofold: for budgetary reasons, and to keep the details of the heist ambiguous. By not showing the robbery and having the characters describe it, Tarantino explained, the film is allowed to be "about other things", similar to the way in which the burglary in Glengarry Glen Ross and its film adaptation is discussed, described, and debated, but never shown. Tarantino compared the technique to the work of a novelist, and said he wanted the film to be about something not seen and to "play with a real-time clock as opposed to a movie clock ticking".
Reception
Box office
Reservoir Dogs premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 1992. It became the festival's most talked-about film, and it was subsequently picked up for distribution by Miramax Films. After being shown at several other film festivals, including in Cannes, Sitges, and Toronto, Reservoir Dogs opened in the United States in 19 theaters on October 9, 1992, with a first week total of $147,839. It was expanded to 61 theaters on October 23, 1992, and totaled $2,832,029 at the domestic box office. The film grossed more than double that in the United Kingdom, where it did not receive a home video release until 1995. During the period of unavailability on home video, the film was re-released in UK cinemas in June 1994.
Critical reception
Reservoir Dogs is regarded as an important and influential milestone of independent filmmaking. Review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes gives the film an approval rating of 90% based on 81 reviews, and an average rating of 8.9/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Thrumming with intelligence and energy, Reservoir Dogs opens Quentin Tarantino's filmmaking career with hard-hitting style." On Metacritic the film has an average score of 81 out of 100, based on 24 critics, indicating "universal acclaim". Empire magazine named it the "Greatest Independent Film" ever made.
At the film's release at the Sundance Film Festival, film critic Jami Bernard of the New York Daily News compared the effect of Reservoir Dogs to that of the 1895 film L'Arrivée d'un Train en Gare de la Ciotat, when audiences supposedly saw a moving train approaching the camera and ducked. Bernard said that Reservoir Dogs had a similar effect and people were not ready for it. Vincent Canby of The New York Times enjoyed the cast and the usage of non-linear storytelling. He similarly complimented Tarantino's directing and liked the fact that he did not often use close-ups in the film. Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times also enjoyed the film and the acting, particularly that of Buscemi, Tierney and Madsen, and said "Tarantino's palpable enthusiasm, his unapologetic passion for what he's created, reinvigorates this venerable plot and, mayhem aside, makes it involving for longer than you might suspect." Critic James Berardinelli was of a similar opinion; he complimented both the cast and Tarantino's dialogue writing abilities. Hal Hinson of The Washington Post was also enthusiastic about the cast, complimenting the film on its "deadpan sense of humor".
Roger Ebert was less enthusiastic, as he felt that the script could have been better and said that the film "feels like it's going to be terrific", but Tarantino's script does not have much curiosity about the characters. He also said that Tarantino "has an idea, and trusts the idea to drive the plot." Ebert gave the film two and a half stars out of four and said that while he enjoyed it and that it was a very good film from a talented director, "I liked what I saw, but I wanted more."
The film has received substantial criticism for its strong violence and language. One scene that viewers found particularly unnerving was the ear-cutting scene. Madsen himself reportedly had great difficulty finishing it, especially after Kirk Baltz ad-libbed the desperate plea "I've got a little kid at home." Many people walked out during the film. During a screening at Sitges Film Festival, 15 people walked out, including horror film director Wes Craven and special makeup effects artist Rick Baker. Baker later told Tarantino to take the walkout as a "compliment" and explained that he found the violence unnerving because of its heightened sense of realism. Tarantino commented about it at the time: "It happens at every single screening. For some people the violence, or the rudeness of the language, is a mountain they can't climb. That's OK. It's not their cup of tea. But I am affecting them. I wanted that scene to be disturbing."
Analysis
Reservoir Dogs has often been seen as a prominent film in terms of on-screen violence. J. P. Telotte compared Reservoir Dogs to classic caper noir films and points out the irony in its ending scenes. Mark Irwin also made the connection between Reservoir Dogs and classic American noir. Caroline Jewers called Reservoir Dogs a "feudal epic" and paralleled the color pseudonyms to color names of medieval knights.
Critics have observed parallels between Reservoir Dogs and other films. For its nonlinear storyline, Reservoir Dogs has often been compared to Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon. Critic John Hartl compared the ear-cutting scene to the shower murder scene in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho and Tarantino to David Lynch. He furthermore explored parallels between Reservoir Dogs and Glengarry Glen Ross. Todd McCarthy, who called the film "undeniably impressive", was of the opinion that it was influenced by Mean Streets, Goodfellas, and Stanley Kubrick's The Killing. After this film, Tarantino himself was also compared to Martin Scorsese, Sam Peckinpah, John Singleton, Gus Van Sant, and Abel Ferrara.
A frequently cited comparison has been to Tarantino's second and more successful film Pulp Fiction, especially since the majority of audiences saw Reservoir Dogs after the success of Pulp Fiction. Comparisons have been made regarding the black humor in both the films, the theme of accidents, and more concretely, the style of dialogue and narrative that Tarantino incorporates into both films. Specifically the relationship between white people and black people plays a big part in the films—though underplayed in Reservoir Dogs. Stanley Crouch of The New York Times compared the way the white criminals speak of black people in Reservoir Dogs to the way they are spoken of in Scorsese's Mean Streets and Goodfellas. Crouch observed the way black people are looked down upon in Reservoir Dogs, but also the way that the criminals accuse each other of "verbally imitating" black men and the characters' apparent sexual attraction to black actress Pam Grier.
In February 2012, as part of an ongoing series of live dramatic readings of film scripts being staged with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), director Jason Reitman cast black actors in the originally white cast: Laurence Fishburne as Mr. White; Terrence Howard as Mr. Blonde; Anthony Mackie as Mr. Pink; Cuba Gooding Jr. as Mr. Orange; Chi McBride as Joe Cabot; Anthony Anderson as Nice Guy Eddie (Joe Cabot's son); Common as both Mr. Brown and Officer Nash (the torture victim of Mr. Blonde), and Patton Oswalt as Holdaway (the mentor cop who was originally played by Randy Brooks, the only black actor in the film). Critic Elvis Mitchell suggested that Reitman's version of the script was taking the source material back to its roots since the characters "all sound like black dudes."
Accolades
The film was screened out of competition at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival. It won the Critic's Award at the 4th Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival in February 1993, which Tarantino attended. The film was also nominated for the Grand Prix of the Belgian Syndicate of Cinema Critics. Steve Buscemi won the 1992 Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male. Reservoir Dogs ranks at No. 97 in Empire magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Films of All Time. In 2024, Reservoir Dogs was ranked second on the list of the Sundance Film Festival's Top 10 films of All Time based on a survey conducted with 500 filmmakers and critics in honor of the festival's 40th anniversary.
- AFI's 100 Years... 100 Heroes & Villains:
- Mr. Blonde – Nominated Villain
Home media
In the United Kingdom, release of the VHS rental video was delayed until 1995 due to the British Board of Film Classification initially refusing the film a home video certificate (UK releases are required to be certified separately for theatrical release and for viewing at home). The latter is a requirement by law due to the Video Recordings Act 1984. Following the UK VHS release approval, PolyGram released a "Mr Blonde Deluxe Edition", which included an interview with Tarantino and several memorabilia associated with the character Mr. Blonde, such as sunglasses and a chrome toothpick holder.
Region 1 DVDs of Reservoir Dogs have been released multiple times. The first release was a single two-sided disc from LIVE Entertainment, released in June 1997 and featuring two versions of the film: the original letterbox 2.35:1 widescreen version and an open matte 1.33:1 full screen version. Five years later, on August 27, 2002, Artisan Entertainment (who changed their name from LIVE Entertainment in the interim) released a two-disc 10th anniversary edition on DVD and VHS featuring multiple covers color-coded to match the nicknames of five of the characters (Pink, White, Orange, Blonde, and Brown) and a disc of bonus features such as interviews with the cast and crew. However, the full screen version on the second disc was a pan and scan transfer from the 2.35:1 widescreen version, as opposed to open matte like the 1997 DVD.
For the film's 15th anniversary, Lionsgate (which had purchased Artisan in the interim) produced a two-disc anniversary edition with a remastered 16:9 transfer and a new supplement, but not all of the extra features from the 10th Anniversary edition. In particular, the interviews with the cast and crew were removed, and a new 48-minute-long feature called "Tributes and Dedications" was included.
Lionsgate Home Entertainment celebrated the 30th anniversary of Reservoir Dogs with a 4K Blu-ray release, which was released in the U.S. on November 15, 2022.
Soundtrack
Main article: Reservoir Dogs (soundtrack)The Reservoir Dogs: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was the first soundtrack for a Tarantino film and set the structure his later soundtracks would follow. This includes the extensive use of snippets of dialogue from the film. The soundtrack has selections of songs from the 1960s to '80s. Only the group Bedlam recorded original songs for the film. Reasoning that the film takes place over a weekend, Tarantino decided to set it to a fictional radio station 'K-Billy' (presumably KBLY)'s show "K-Billy's Super Sounds of the Seventies Weekend", a themed weekend show of broadcasts of songs from the seventies. The radio station played a prominent role in the film. The DJ for the radio was chosen to be Steven Wright, a comedian known for his deadpan delivery of jokes.
An unusual feature of the soundtrack was the choice of songs; Tarantino has said that he feels the music to be a counterpoint to the on-screen violence and action. He also stated that he wished for the film to have a 1950s feel while using '70s music. A prominent instance of this is the torture scene to the tune of "Stuck in the Middle with You".
Video games
Main article: Reservoir Dogs (video game)A video game based on the film was released in 2006 for PC, Xbox, and PlayStation 2. However, the game does not feature the likeness of any of the actors with the exception of Michael Madsen. The game was received unfavorably, with GameSpot calling it "an out and out failure". It caused controversy for its amount of violence and it was banned in Australia, Germany and New Zealand.
Another video game, Reservoir Dogs: Bloody Days, was released in 2017.
On December 14, 2017, Overkill Software added a heist to Payday 2 inspired by Reservoir Dogs in which the player is contracted to rob a jewelry store in Los Angeles with the Cabot family. It is unique in that the heist is played in reverse order, with day two occurring prior to day one, similar to how the film's plot is out of chronological order.
Remakes
Kaante, a Bollywood film released in 2002, is a remake of Reservoir Dogs, combined with elements of City on Fire. The film also borrows plot points from Heat and The Killing. Tarantino has been quoted as saying that Kaante is his favorite among the many films inspired by his work. Tarantino later screened Kaante at his New Beverly Cinema alongside Reservoir Dogs and City on Fire.
Tarantino revealed in June 2021 that he had at one point considered remaking Reservoir Dogs as his tenth and final directed film, though he quickly iterated that he "won't do it".
See also
- Heist film
- List of cult films
- Kaante (2002), which was inspired by Reservoir Dogs
- Quentin Tarantino filmography
References
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ebsites posted lengthy exegeses comparing Reservoir Dogs side by side with City on Fire . But Tarantino had always advertised his sources; The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, a 1974 thriller and the Reservoir Dogs screenplay title page dedicated the movie to, among others, Roger Corman, Chow Yun Fat, Godard, Melville, and the obscure 1950s action director Andre De Toth.
- "Before 'Reservoir Dogs, 'there was 'City on Fire'". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on December 29, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
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- 1992 films
- 1990s American films
- 1990s English-language films
- 1990s heist films
- 1992 black comedy films
- 1992 crime films
- 1992 directorial debut films
- 1992 independent films
- American black comedy films
- American crime films
- American heist films
- American independent films
- American nonlinear narrative films
- Artisan Entertainment films
- English-language black comedy films
- English-language crime films
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- Films about bank robbery
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- Films directed by Quentin Tarantino
- Films produced by Lawrence Bender
- Films set in Los Angeles
- Films shot in Los Angeles
- Films with screenplays by Quentin Tarantino
- Miramax films
- Murder–suicide in films
- Obscenity controversies in film
- Works featuring villain protagonists