Tarantino Defends "Crimson Tidal Wave Of Blood"

While it technically isn't a horror movie, Quentin Tarantino's new film deserves some coverage for its gore factor alone. Even before it's officially released, "Kill Bill: Volume 1" is being derided by some critics as one of the goriest mainstream movies in cinema history. The director himself calls it a "crimson tidal wave of blood." Over 100 gallons of fake blood were used in production of the film, and the body count is said to be staggering.

At Thursday's premiere in London, Tarantino defended the gore and violence in the film. He said "Bill" is so outlandish and bloody that it should be obvious that it's set in "fantasy land". In fact, the British and American versions of the film were toned down as to not over-offend audiences. The director says that the Japanese version is more graphic. Why? Because, Tarantino explains, people in Japanese culture can handle more violence and outrageousness.

Tarantino said that it took him a year to write one of the brutal fight scenes in "Bill". The scene, in which lead actress Uma Thurman tackles 88 adversaries, took eight weeks to shoot. "I wanted to make the most exciting sequence in cinema" he said. Critics, so far, seem impressed, if sometimes offended.

"Kill Bill" was largely inspired by Tarantino's interest in extreme Japanese cinema. "It is the standard staple of Japanese cinema to cut someone's arm of and have them have waterhoses for veins," he said, explaining the blood-thirsty nature of the movie.

"Kill Bill: Volume 1" opens October 10th in the United States.

Video: Short Interview With Tarantino at UK Premiere
Video: Report From The UK Premiere

Source: BBC