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*''See also [[Grindhouse (film)]] and [[Planet Terror]]''
⚫
'''''Death Proof''''' is a feature length film written and directed by [[Quentin Tarantino]], as part of the double feature [[Grindhouse (film)|Grindhouse]]. It follows a serial killer who kills his victims using his "death proof" car.


⚫
'''''Death Proof''''' is a [[2007]] feature length film written and directed by [[Quentin Tarantino]], as part of [[Grindhouse (film)|Grindhouse]], a [[double feature]] film collaboration with [[Robert Rodriguez]] .

Tarantino's film, a tribute to [[Exploitation film#Grindhouse cinema|grindhouse cinema]]" and "[[B movies]]," follows a misogynistic, psychopathic [[stunt man]]/[[serial killer]] who targets young women, murdering them with his "death proof" stunt car.

''Grindhouse'' was released on [[April 6]], [[2007]], ticket sales performed significantly below [[box office]] analysts' expectations despite mostly positive critic reviews. In much of the rest of the world, each feature was released separately, with ''Death Proof'' screened in an extended version.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.everythingtarantino.com/data/2007/0315-201651.shtml |title=The Grindhouse Split |accessdate=2007-03-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.esplatter.com/2006news/grindhouse.htm |title=Grindhouse News |accessdate=2007-03-29 |publisher=ESplatter}}</ref> Two [[soundtrack]]s were also released for the features and include music and audio snippets from the film. ''Death Proof'' was released separately in international markets, and on DVD in the United States on [[2007#September|September 18, 2007]].


== Plot Summary ==
== Plot Summary ==


Three friends – Arlene (Vanessa Ferlito), Shanna (Jordan Ladd) and radio disc jockey Jungle Julia Lucai (Sydney Tamiia Poitier) – are driving down Colorado St in Austin, Texas to celebrate Jungle Julia's birthday, unknowingly followed by a man in a souped-up 1970 Chevy Nova. While drinking at Güero's Taco Bar, Jungle Julia reveals that she made a radio announcement earlier that morning, offering a free lap dance from Arlene to anyone who calls her Butterfly, buys her a drink and recites a segment of the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," much to the chagrin of Arlene. As the night goes on, and the girls meet up with some boys at the Texas Chili Parlor, they run into Pam (Rose McGowan), a childhood enemy of Jungle Julia's, who is being studied by Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell), a scarred, charming stunt double for Hollywood action films. He spends the night wooing the women, working his way up to Arlene, who realizes that he’s been following them all day, but gives in to his charm. After receiving the free lap dance, Mike offers Pam a ride in his car, assuring her that it’s “death proof”. In the car, he is revealed to be a psychopathic serial killer who takes pleasure in murdering young women on the road. After taunting Pam by telling her that the car is only death proof for the driver and brutally murdering her by slamming his boot to the brake, causing her to smash her face in on the dashboard, Mike chases after the girls and, with his lights off, causes a high-speed head-on collision with the other girls' car, violently killing the three women (Shanna being launched from the front window and smashing into both Mike's windshield and the pavement, dismembering Jungle Julia's leg, and Arlene's face torn off by the front wheels) and also their driver, Jungle Julia’s pot dealer, Lanna Frank (Monica Staggs). Mike suffers only minor injuries and, because the girls were driving while intoxicated and Mike had not consumed any alcohol, he is cleared of all criminal charges, much to the chagrin of Texas Ranger Earl McGraw (Michael Parks), who knows Stuntman Mike is guilty.
Three friends – Arlene [[Vanessa Ferlito]], Shanna [[Jordan Ladd]] and radio disc jockey Jungle Julia Lucai [[Sydney Tamiia Poitier]] – are driving down Colorado St in Austin, Texas to celebrate Jungle Julia's birthday, unknowingly followed by a man in a souped-up 1970 Chevy Nova. While drinking at Güero's Taco Bar, Jungle Julia reveals that she made a radio announcement earlier that morning, offering a free lap dance from Arlene to anyone who calls her Butterfly, buys her a drink and recites a segment of the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," much to the chagrin of Arlene. As the night goes on, and the girls meet up with some boys at the Texas Chili Parlor, they run into Pam [[Rose McGowan]], a childhood enemy of Jungle Julia's, who is being studied by Stuntman Mike [[Kurt Russell]], a scarred, charming stunt double for Hollywood action films. He spends the night wooing the women, working his way up to Arlene, who realizes that he’s been following them all day, but gives in to his charm. After receiving the free lap dance, Mike offers Pam a ride in his car, assuring her that it’s “death proof”. In the car, he is revealed to be a psychopathic serial killer who takes pleasure in murdering young women on the road. After taunting Pam by telling her that the car is only death proof for the driver and brutally murdering her by slamming his boot to the brake, causing her to smash her face in on the dashboard, Mike chases after the girls and, with his lights off, causes a high-speed head-on collision with the other girls' car, violently killing the three women and their driver, Jungle Julia’s pot dealer, Lanna Frank [[Monica Staggs]]. Mike suffers only minor injuries and, because the girls were driving while intoxicated and Mike had not consumed any alcohol, he is cleared of all criminal charges, much to the chagrin of Texas Ranger Earl McGraw [[Michael Parks]], who knows Stuntman Mike is guilty.


[[Image:McGowan and Russell in Death Proof.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Stuntman Mike ([[Kurt Russell]]) offering Pam ([[Rose McGowan]]) a ride in his car, assuring her that it’s “death proof”.]]
[[Image:McGowan and Russell in Death Proof.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Stuntman Mike ([[Kurt Russell]]) offering Pam ([[Rose McGowan]]) a ride in his car, assuring her that it’s “death proof”.]]


⚫
Fourteen months later, Lee [[Mary Elizabeth Winstead]], Abernathy [[Rosario Dawson]], Kim [[Tracie Thoms]], and Zoë [[Zoë Bell]], a group of women working below the line in Hollywood travel through Tennessee. Zoë, a stunt driver, has lusted after the 1970 [[Dodge Challenger]] car model, and they visit a man who has one for sale. They pretend to take a test drive prior to purchasing, but just want to fulfill Zoë's desire to drive the car, and drive it at high speed as it was driven in the film ''[[Vanishing Point]]''—a favorite of hers. Kim, against her will, and Zoë have decided to play a dangerous game called "Ship's Mast", and therefore prefer Abernathy not to come with them, but she insists. On the insistence of Abernathy, Lee is left behind as a guarantee that they do not steal the car. Zoë, holding on to two belts attached to the car, rides on the hood as Kim speeds faster and faster down the road. During this game, Mike targets them with his 1969 [[Dodge Charger]], repeatedly crashing into them, and eventually Zoë is thrown from the hood. Kim, who carries a gun for protection, shoots Mike in the arm, causing him to flee. Abernathy and Kim look at the fields, dazed by both fear and the loss of Zoë. However, Zoë, unharmed except for a "bruise on her bum," emerges from the brush, where she had been thrown. The three girls decide to take brutal revenge against their sadistic attacker, with Abernathy being the one who decides they should "kill that bastard." Zoë grabs an abandoned length of galvanized fence pipe and jumps into the car as it speeds off.

⚫
Fourteen months later, Lee (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Abernathy (Rosario Dawson), Kim (Tracie Thoms), and Zoë (Zoë Bell), a group of women working below the line in Hollywood travel through Tennessee. Zoë, a stunt driver, has lusted after the 1970 Dodge Challenger car model, and they visit a man who has one for sale. They pretend to take a test drive prior to purchasing, but just want to fulfill Zoë's desire to drive the car, and drive it at high speed as it was driven in the film Vanishing Point—a favorite of hers. Kim, against her will, and Zoë have decided to play a dangerous game called "Ship's Mast", and therefore prefer Abernathy not to come with them, but she insists. On the insistence of Abernathy, Lee is left behind as a guarantee that they do not steal the car. Zoë, holding on to two belts attached to the car, rides on the hood as Kim speeds faster and faster down the road. During this game, Mike targets them with his 1969 Dodge Charger repeatedly crashing into them, and eventually Zoë is thrown from the hood. Kim, who carries a gun for protection, shoots Mike in the arm, causing him to flee. Abernathy and Kim look at the fields, dazed by both fear and the loss of Zoë. However, Zoë, unharmed except for a "bruise on her bum," emerges from the brush, where she had been thrown. The three girls decide to take brutal revenge against their sadistic attacker, with Abernathy being the one who decides they should "kill that bastard." Zoë grabs an abandoned length of galvanized fence pipe and jumps into the car as it speeds off.


Stuntman Mike's injury causes him to stop the car and attempt to tend to his wound. As he tends to himself, his true personality is revealed: he is nothing more than a bullying coward who hides behind his cars to feel safe. In doing so, he releases his safety harness. The women find him, violently crash into the back of the Charger, and attack him brutally, and Mike flees again without refastening his harness — nullifying much of the 'death proof' aspect of his stunt car. An extended chase scene follows, which includes multiple collisions. Previously uninvolved vehicles are struck by both cars as the women pursue the frightened stuntman. Just as he becomes convinced that he has escaped, the pursuing vehicle blindsides him and he crashes to a stop. Screaming in pain, he is hauled out of the car and the three women brutally punch him dozens of times. Stuntman Mike is knocked to the ground, and the women leap in celebration, caught in a midair freeze-frame as the film ends. As the film credits roll, we cut back to the girls who are still celebrating. Abernathy raises her leg and, with an ax kick, smashes in Stuntman Mike’s face with her boot heel, before going back to the credits.
Stuntman Mike's injury causes him to stop the car and attempt to tend to his wound. As he tends to himself, his true personality is revealed: he is nothing more than a bullying coward who hides behind his cars to feel safe. In doing so, he releases his safety harness. The women find him, violently crash into the back of the Charger, and attack him brutally, and Mike flees again without refastening his harness — nullifying much of the 'death proof' aspect of his stunt car. An extended chase scene follows, which includes multiple collisions. Previously uninvolved vehicles are struck by both cars as the women pursue the frightened stuntman. Just as he becomes convinced that he has escaped, the pursuing vehicle blindsides him and he crashes to a stop. Screaming in pain, he is hauled out of the car and the three women brutally punch him dozens of times. Stuntman Mike is knocked to the ground, and the women leap in celebration, caught in a midair freeze-frame as the film ends. As the film credits roll, we cut back to the girls who are still celebrating. Abernathy raises her leg and, with an ax kick, smashes in Stuntman Mike’s face with her boot heel, before going back to the credits.

===Cast===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Actor !! Role
|-
| [[Kurt Russell]] || Stuntman Mike Mikke
|-
| [[Rosario Dawson]] || Abernathy
|-
| [[Vanessa Ferlito]] || Arlene/Butterfly
|-
| [[Jordan Ladd]] || Shanna
|-
| [[Rose McGowan]] || Pam
|-
| [[Sydney Tamiia Poitier]] || Jungle Julia Lucai
|-
| [[Tracie Thoms]] || Kim
|-
| [[Mary Elizabeth Winstead]] || Lee Montgomery
|-
| [[Zoë Bell]] || Herself
|-
| Omar Doom || Nate
|-
| [[Michael Bacall]] || Omar
|-
| [[Quentin Tarantino]] || Warren
|-
| [[Monica Staggs]] || Lanna-Frank
|-
| [[Michael Parks]] || Earl McGraw
|-
| [[James Jean Parks|James Parks]] || Edgar McGraw
|-
| [[Tim Murphy]] || Tim the Bartender
|-
| [[Rollergirls|Marta Mendoza]] || Punky Bruiser
|-
| [[Electra Avellan]] || Crazy Babysitter Twin #1
|-
| [[Elise Avellan]] || Crazy Babysitter Twin #2
|-
| [[Marley Shelton]] || Dr. Dakota McGraw Block
|-
| [[Jonathan Loughran]] || Jasper
|-
| [[Nicky Katt]] || Counter Guy
|}

==Theatrical release==
{{double image|right|Planet Terror (Netherlands).jpg|150px|Death Proof (Netherlands).jpg|150px|''Planet Terror'' and ''Death Proof'' posters for the Netherlands.}}
Internationally, ''Planet Terror'' and ''Death Proof'' were released as separate films, approximately two months apart.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ingloriousbastards.nl/grindhouse.php|title=Alles Over Quentin Tarantino|accessdate=2007-03-30 |date=[[2007-03-18]] |language=Dutch}}</ref> According to the poster artwork for each film's release in the [[Netherlands]], the fake trailers for ''Death Proof'' were directed by Rodriguez, while those for ''Planet Terror'' by Tarantino. No mention was made of the trailers by Roth, Wright, or Zombie.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.a-film.nl/film.php?id=00002002 |title=Dutch ''Death Proof'' poster art |accessdate=2007-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.a-film.nl/film.php?id=00002081 |title=Dutch ''Planet Terror'' poster art |accessdate=2007-04-09 |format= |work= }}</ref>

In the United Kingdom, ''Death Proof'' is being released on [[September 21]] [[2007]]{{update after|2007|9|21}}. The release of ''Planet Terror'' will follow at an unspecified later date.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?nid=20659|title= Grindhouse Dismantled|date=2007-04-30| accessdate=2007-05-10}}</ref> ''Death Proof'' was screened in Europe in the extended version that was presented in competition at the [[Cannes Film Festival]]. The additional material includes scenes that were replaced in the American theatrical release version with a "missing reel" title card, such as the [[lap dance]] scene. A total of 27 minutes were added for this version. One of the first screenings of ''Death Proof'' was made at the [[Edinburgh International Film Festival]] on 20th August, with star Zoe Bell attending the screenings.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=cannes2007&jump=review&reviewid=VE1117933735&cs=1&p=0 |title=Review of ''Death Proof'' |accessdate=2007-06-22 |last=McCarthy |first=Todd |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=[[May 22]], [[2007]] |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> Tarantino also screened ''Death Proof'' by itself at the [[Cinemanila]] Film Festival in the Philippines, and it is being released as a solo film in South Korea as well.

In reaction to the possibility of a split in a foreign release, Tarantino stated "Especially if they were dealing with non-English language countries, they don't really have this tradition ... not only do they not really know what a grind house is, they don't even have the double feature tradition. So you are kind of trying to teach us something else."<ref name="RottenT">{{cite web | title=Rotten Tomatoes| work=Tarantino Chops Feature Length "Death Proof" For "Grindhouse" | url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/news/comments/?entryid=412023| accessdate=April 18 | accessyear=2007}}</ref> Many European fans see the split as an attempt to increase profits by forcing audiences to pay twice for a film that is shown as a single film in the United States.<ref>{{cite web| last =Zagt| first =Ab| title =De goedkope trucs van Tarantino| date =2007-03-1| url=http://www.ad.nl/filmwereld/closeup/article1137558.ece| language=Dutch | accessdate =2007-03-30}}</ref> A number of European fans of Tarantino have expressed their outrage in film forums and with online petitions, with some announcing they will boycott the films or possibly download them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ingloriousbastards.nl/index.php|title= Geen double feature in Benelux (Reacties)|language=Dutch|date=2007-03-02| accessdate=2007-04-10}}</ref>

==DVD release==
''Death Proof'' and ''Planet Terror'' will be sold separately on DVD. ''Death Proof'' was released on [[September 18]], [[2007]] [[DVD region code|region 1]] [[DVD]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amazon.com/Grindhouse-Presents-Death-Proof-Russell/dp/B000R7HY0K/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-2540482-2985634?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1181333208&sr=1-1 |title=ASIN: B000R7HY0K |accessdate=2007-06-10 |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=[[Amazon.com]] |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> ''Planet Terror'' will follow on October 16, 2007. Both releases will be two-disc special editions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fangoria.com/chopping_list.php |title=DVD Chopping List |accessdate=2007-07-05 |last=Gingold |first=Michael |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=[[July 3]], [[2007]] |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=[[Fangoria (magazine)|Fangoria]] |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref> [[Best Buy]] will also release exclusive steelbook copies of ''Death Proof'' and ''Planet Terror'', each containing a bonus disc. The exclusive extra on the ''Death Proof'' DVD was the FX special 'Welcome to the Grindhouse.' The extra on the ''Planet Terror'' steelbook is unknown at this time. Neither disc will feature fake trailers, the exception being the trailer for ''[[Machete (film)|Machete]]'' in ''Planet Terror''.

The ''Death Proof'' DVD includes the extended cut of the film shown at Cannes and across Europe, documentaries on the casting of the film, the various [[muscle cars]] and Tarantino's relationship with [[editor]] [[Sally Menke]], an interview conducted by Tarantino with cult director [[Cirio H. Santiago]], trailers, and an international poster gallery.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dvd.ign.com/articles/808/808506p1.html|title=DVD SDCC: Grindhouse Gets Cut in Two |accessdate=2007-07-26 |last=Monfette |first=Christopher |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=[[July 26]], [[2007]] |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher=[[IGN]] |pages= |language= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= }}</ref>

==Notes and references==
{{reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
*[[Quentin Tarantino|Tarantino, Quentin]] and [[Robert Rodriguez|Rodriguez, Robert]]. ''Grindhouse: The Sleaze-filled Saga of an Exploitation Double Feature''. Weinstein Books, 2007. ISBN 1602860149. The book includes forewords by both directors, interviews, a history of grind houses, and behind-the-scenes information about the production of the film. In addition, the book also includes the complete scripts for ''Planet Terror'' and the faux trailers ''Machete'' and ''Thanksgiving.''

*[[Quentin Tarantino|Tarantino, Quentin]]. ''Death Proof: A Screenplay''. Weinstein Books, 2007. ISBN 1602860092.

==External links==
*[http://www.grindhousemovie.net Official website]
*{{imdb title|id=0462322|title=Grindhouse}}
**{{imdb title|id=1077258|title=Planet Terror}}
**{{imdb title|id=1028528|title=Death Proof}}
*{{rotten-tomatoes|id=grindhouse|title=Grindhouse}}
*[http://www.tarantino.info/wiki/index.php/Grind_House_movie_references_guide a Grindhouse movie references guide]
*[http://www.stv.tv/content/out/film/displayHotnow.html?id=opencms:/out/hotnow/films/Quentin_Tarantinox_defending_Deat_200709 Quentin Tarantino: defending ''Death Proof''] video interview with stv.tv/movies, September 2007
*[http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?saveGH]. Online petition to release "Grindhouse" as one film.



{{Footer Movies Quentin Tarantino}}
{{Footer Movies Quentin Tarantino}}

Revision as of 15:17, 20 September 2007

Death Proof
File:Death Proof (Netherlands).jpg
Grindhouse theatrical poster
Directed byDeath Proof:
Quentin Tarantino
Written byQuentin Tarantino
Produced byElizabeth Avellan
Erica Steinberg
Robert Rodriguez
Quentin Tarantino
StarringRose McGowan
Freddy Rodriguez
Josh Brolin
Marley Shelton
Michael Biehn
Kurt Russell
Rosario Dawson
Vanessa Ferlito
Jordan Ladd
Sydney Tamiia Poitier
Tracie Thoms
Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Zoë Bell
CinematographyRobert Rodriguez
Quentin Tarantino
Edited bySally Menke
Music byGraeme Revell
Distributed byDimension Films
The Weinstein Company
Release dates
Grindhouse:
Running time
114 min.
Country United States
LanguageEnglish

Death Proof is a 2007 feature length film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, as part of Grindhouse, a double feature film collaboration with Robert Rodriguez .

Tarantino's film, a tribute to grindhouse cinema" and "B movies," follows a misogynistic, psychopathic stunt man/serial killer who targets young women, murdering them with his "death proof" stunt car.

Grindhouse was released on April 6, 2007, ticket sales performed significantly below box office analysts' expectations despite mostly positive critic reviews. In much of the rest of the world, each feature was released separately, with Death Proof screened in an extended version.[1][2] Two soundtracks were also released for the features and include music and audio snippets from the film. Death Proof was released separately in international markets, and on DVD in the United States on September 18, 2007.

Plot Summary

Three friends – Arlene Vanessa Ferlito, Shanna Jordan Ladd and radio disc jockey Jungle Julia Lucai Sydney Tamiia Poitier – are driving down Colorado St in Austin, Texas to celebrate Jungle Julia's birthday, unknowingly followed by a man in a souped-up 1970 Chevy Nova. While drinking at Güero's Taco Bar, Jungle Julia reveals that she made a radio announcement earlier that morning, offering a free lap dance from Arlene to anyone who calls her Butterfly, buys her a drink and recites a segment of the poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," much to the chagrin of Arlene. As the night goes on, and the girls meet up with some boys at the Texas Chili Parlor, they run into Pam Rose McGowan, a childhood enemy of Jungle Julia's, who is being studied by Stuntman Mike Kurt Russell, a scarred, charming stunt double for Hollywood action films. He spends the night wooing the women, working his way up to Arlene, who realizes that he’s been following them all day, but gives in to his charm. After receiving the free lap dance, Mike offers Pam a ride in his car, assuring her that it’s “death proof”. In the car, he is revealed to be a psychopathic serial killer who takes pleasure in murdering young women on the road. After taunting Pam by telling her that the car is only death proof for the driver and brutally murdering her by slamming his boot to the brake, causing her to smash her face in on the dashboard, Mike chases after the girls and, with his lights off, causes a high-speed head-on collision with the other girls' car, violently killing the three women and their driver, Jungle Julia’s pot dealer, Lanna Frank Monica Staggs. Mike suffers only minor injuries and, because the girls were driving while intoxicated and Mike had not consumed any alcohol, he is cleared of all criminal charges, much to the chagrin of Texas Ranger Earl McGraw Michael Parks, who knows Stuntman Mike is guilty.

File:McGowan and Russell in Death Proof.jpg
Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) offering Pam (Rose McGowan) a ride in his car, assuring her that it’s “death proof”.

Fourteen months later, Lee Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Abernathy Rosario Dawson, Kim Tracie Thoms, and Zoë Zoë Bell, a group of women working below the line in Hollywood travel through Tennessee. Zoë, a stunt driver, has lusted after the 1970 Dodge Challenger car model, and they visit a man who has one for sale. They pretend to take a test drive prior to purchasing, but just want to fulfill Zoë's desire to drive the car, and drive it at high speed as it was driven in the film Vanishing Point—a favorite of hers. Kim, against her will, and Zoë have decided to play a dangerous game called "Ship's Mast", and therefore prefer Abernathy not to come with them, but she insists. On the insistence of Abernathy, Lee is left behind as a guarantee that they do not steal the car. Zoë, holding on to two belts attached to the car, rides on the hood as Kim speeds faster and faster down the road. During this game, Mike targets them with his 1969 Dodge Charger, repeatedly crashing into them, and eventually Zoë is thrown from the hood. Kim, who carries a gun for protection, shoots Mike in the arm, causing him to flee. Abernathy and Kim look at the fields, dazed by both fear and the loss of Zoë. However, Zoë, unharmed except for a "bruise on her bum," emerges from the brush, where she had been thrown. The three girls decide to take brutal revenge against their sadistic attacker, with Abernathy being the one who decides they should "kill that bastard." Zoë grabs an abandoned length of galvanized fence pipe and jumps into the car as it speeds off.

Stuntman Mike's injury causes him to stop the car and attempt to tend to his wound. As he tends to himself, his true personality is revealed: he is nothing more than a bullying coward who hides behind his cars to feel safe. In doing so, he releases his safety harness. The women find him, violently crash into the back of the Charger, and attack him brutally, and Mike flees again without refastening his harness — nullifying much of the 'death proof' aspect of his stunt car. An extended chase scene follows, which includes multiple collisions. Previously uninvolved vehicles are struck by both cars as the women pursue the frightened stuntman. Just as he becomes convinced that he has escaped, the pursuing vehicle blindsides him and he crashes to a stop. Screaming in pain, he is hauled out of the car and the three women brutally punch him dozens of times. Stuntman Mike is knocked to the ground, and the women leap in celebration, caught in a midair freeze-frame as the film ends. As the film credits roll, we cut back to the girls who are still celebrating. Abernathy raises her leg and, with an ax kick, smashes in Stuntman Mike’s face with her boot heel, before going back to the credits.

Cast

Actor Role
Kurt Russell Stuntman Mike Mikke
Rosario Dawson Abernathy
Vanessa Ferlito Arlene/Butterfly
Jordan Ladd Shanna
Rose McGowan Pam
Sydney Tamiia Poitier Jungle Julia Lucai
Tracie Thoms Kim
Mary Elizabeth Winstead Lee Montgomery
Zoë Bell Herself
Omar Doom Nate
Michael Bacall Omar
Quentin Tarantino Warren
Monica Staggs Lanna-Frank
Michael Parks Earl McGraw
James Parks Edgar McGraw
Tim Murphy Tim the Bartender
Marta Mendoza Punky Bruiser
Electra Avellan Crazy Babysitter Twin #1
Elise Avellan Crazy Babysitter Twin #2
Marley Shelton Dr. Dakota McGraw Block
Jonathan Loughran Jasper
Nicky Katt Counter Guy

Theatrical release

Internationally, Planet Terror and Death Proof were released as separate films, approximately two months apart.[3] According to the poster artwork for each film's release in the Netherlands, the fake trailers for Death Proof were directed by Rodriguez, while those for Planet Terror by Tarantino. No mention was made of the trailers by Roth, Wright, or Zombie.[4][5]

In the United Kingdom, Death Proof is being released on September 21 2007[needs update]. The release of Planet Terror will follow at an unspecified later date.[6] Death Proof was screened in Europe in the extended version that was presented in competition at the Cannes Film Festival. The additional material includes scenes that were replaced in the American theatrical release version with a "missing reel" title card, such as the lap dance scene. A total of 27 minutes were added for this version. One of the first screenings of Death Proof was made at the Edinburgh International Film Festival on 20th August, with star Zoe Bell attending the screenings.[7] Tarantino also screened Death Proof by itself at the Cinemanila Film Festival in the Philippines, and it is being released as a solo film in South Korea as well.

In reaction to the possibility of a split in a foreign release, Tarantino stated "Especially if they were dealing with non-English language countries, they don't really have this tradition ... not only do they not really know what a grind house is, they don't even have the double feature tradition. So you are kind of trying to teach us something else."[8] Many European fans see the split as an attempt to increase profits by forcing audiences to pay twice for a film that is shown as a single film in the United States.[9] A number of European fans of Tarantino have expressed their outrage in film forums and with online petitions, with some announcing they will boycott the films or possibly download them.[10]

DVD release

Death Proof and Planet Terror will be sold separately on DVD. Death Proof was released on September 18, 2007 region 1 DVD.[11] Planet Terror will follow on October 16, 2007. Both releases will be two-disc special editions.[12] Best Buy will also release exclusive steelbook copies of Death Proof and Planet Terror, each containing a bonus disc. The exclusive extra on the Death Proof DVD was the FX special 'Welcome to the Grindhouse.' The extra on the Planet Terror steelbook is unknown at this time. Neither disc will feature fake trailers, the exception being the trailer for Machete in Planet Terror.

The Death Proof DVD includes the extended cut of the film shown at Cannes and across Europe, documentaries on the casting of the film, the various muscle cars and Tarantino's relationship with editor Sally Menke, an interview conducted by Tarantino with cult director Cirio H. Santiago, trailers, and an international poster gallery.[13]

Notes and references

  1. ^ "The Grindhouse Split". Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  2. ^ "Grindhouse News". ESplatter. Retrieved 2007-03-29.
  3. ^ "Alles Over Quentin Tarantino" (in Dutch). 2007-03-18. Retrieved 2007-03-30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "Dutch Death Proof poster art". Retrieved 2007-04-09.
  5. ^ "Dutch Planet Terror poster art". Retrieved 2007-04-09.
  6. ^ "Grindhouse Dismantled". 2007-04-30. Retrieved 2007-05-10.
  7. ^ McCarthy, Todd (May 22, 2007). "Review of Death Proof". Variety. Retrieved 2007-06-22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  8. ^ "Rotten Tomatoes". Tarantino Chops Feature Length "Death Proof" For "Grindhouse". Retrieved April 18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ Zagt, Ab (2007-03-1). "De goedkope trucs van Tarantino" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2007-03-30. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. ^ "Geen double feature in Benelux (Reacties)" (in Dutch). 2007-03-02. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
  11. ^ "ASIN: B000R7HY0K". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2007-06-10. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  12. ^ Gingold, Michael (July 3, 2007). "DVD Chopping List". Fangoria. Retrieved 2007-07-05. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)
  13. ^ Monfette, Christopher (July 26, 2007). "DVD SDCC: Grindhouse Gets Cut in Two". IGN. Retrieved 2007-07-26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month= and |coauthors= (help)

Further reading

  • Tarantino, Quentin and Rodriguez, Robert. Grindhouse: The Sleaze-filled Saga of an Exploitation Double Feature. Weinstein Books, 2007. ISBN 1602860149. The book includes forewords by both directors, interviews, a history of grind houses, and behind-the-scenes information about the production of the film. In addition, the book also includes the complete scripts for Planet Terror and the faux trailers Machete and Thanksgiving.

External links


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