Hypocrite

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While many film enthusiasts consider Stanley Kubrick a divine figure in the world of cinema, Quentin Tarantino doesn’t hold him in such high regard – in fact, he once labeled Kubrick as a “hypocrite” for his views on violence in movies. Before the premiere of Kill Bill, The New Yorker published an article delving into Tarantino’s cinematic tastes and controversial opinions. Despite many movie aficionados placing Kubrick among the greatest filmmakers, Tarantino openly expresses his disinterest in Kubrick’s work. Intriguingly, he even prefers Adrian Lyne’s 1997 adaptation of Lolita over Kubrick’s version.

In the cinematic world of Stanley Kubrick, his movies frequently explored the intricate ethical dimensions of violence. For instance, in “The Shining,” a seemingly ordinary family man transforms into a killer, while “Paths of Glory” and “Full Metal Jacket” delved into the moral implications of war. Even “2001: A Space Odyssey” hinted at the concept that ape evolution was spurred by their ability to use violence for personal gain. However, Quentin Tarantino alleged that Kubrick’s stance that his films critically examined violence was rooted in hypocrisy, as expressed by him publicly.

Tarantino Thought Kubrick Was A Hypocrite Over His Stance On Violence In Movies

According To Tarantino, A Clockwork Orange Revels In The Violence It Claims To Critique

Tarantino wasn’t convinced by Kubrick’s perspective on his own adaptation of “A Clockwork Orange”. At the time of its release, Kubrick argued that he hadn’t produced a film about violence, but rather one that was anti-violence. However, Tarantino didn’t see “A Clockwork Orange” as an anti-violence piece at all. He felt that the initial part glorified Alex DeLarge’s criminal activities, while the subsequent parts, where he faces consequences, seemed insincere in comparison. Essentially, Kubrick attempted to present a film that was both pro and against violence.

Tarantino didn’t generally dislike the film, but he found the initial 20-minute sequence to be “remarkably flawless.” He praised the first act of A Clockwork Orange as being “nearly as captivating, intense, and flawless a cinematic masterpiece as I believe had been made until then.” However, he was disappointed that the second and third acts focused on morality rather than continuing with the sadistic elements. Essentially, Tarantino found Kubrick’s story of crime and punishment more convincing in its portrayal of the crime than the subsequent punishment.

Quentin Tarantino Has Always Been Very Clear About The Role Of Violence In His Movies

Tarantino Sees No Correlation Between Movie Violence & Real-Life Violence

Quentin Tarantino consistently maintains that there’s no link between the violent scenes in movies and actual violence in real life. To him, movie violence serves as a form of thrilling entertainment, devoid of any connection to real-life events. He finds pleasure in depicting characters like The Bride wreaking havoc on the Crazy 88’s, and he doesn’t see that on-screen carnage reflecting or influencing real-world atrocities. Unlike Stanley Kubrick, Tarantino doesn’t use graphic violence to criticize violence; instead, he openly acknowledges that it’s part of his films for the sake of entertainment.

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2025-05-02 20:17