Quentin Tarantino, the Hollywood filmmaker known for his distinctive style, regards his two-part Kill Bill as the film he was destined to create. Despite its significance, the full version titled Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair, which combines both volumes with extra scenes, has never been officially released for home viewing. Instead, it is only shown occasionally at select venues such as the New Beverly and Vista Theater. Recently, Tarantino spoke publicly about the reasons behind holding back this definitive edition of the movie.
During an appearance on the podcast The Church of Tarantino, the director discussed his career and current projects, prompting the host to ask about the elusive version of Kill Bill. Tarantino responded cautiously, addressing widespread speculation:
“You guys have speculated a lot and so has a lot of people on the Internet, and I understand where they’re coming from. They’re all wrong, but it makes sense where they’re coming from, because that would normally be what it is.”
He elaborated on the matter, emphasizing his desire to maintain control over the film‘s rights before any public release. Tarantino stated that the delay was not due to lack of interest but, initially, because he did not fully own the rights. Now that he has full ownership, he feels more comfortable sharing the film but only on his own terms:
“Basically, I didn’t want to do anything with it until I owned it. I own it now, so I wanted to wait until the rights were completely all on me. I’m not waiting to put it out. I’ve got the print. I show it from time to time at the New Beverly. You can see it, it’s there all right. Also, I love my old work, but I’m not all that about mining it and taking from it and spinning off from it.
“So I was going to do a zillion things with Kill Bill, but then when I finished it, well, that was such a f–ing hard movie. Then I was, ‘OK, I’m done with that for a little while.’ But I wanted to own it. But also, I got to say, in this world that everything is available, and everything is for profit and everything is a chip to be sold on the market because everything is owned by corporations. That’s not owned by a corporation, that’s owned by me. And the fact that you have to come to my theater to see it, and it’s not just sitting on a stack of DVDs and Blu-rays that you get around to watching eventually. The minute it becomes in your hand, it just means less.”
Tarantino’s approach reflects his desire to preserve the experience of watching The Whole Bloody Affair as something unique and controlled, instead of releasing it into a crowded market dominated by commercial exploitation. By restricting access to theatrical screenings, he retains ownership of his creation’s cultural value and personal significance.
The Director’s Deep Fondness for Kill Bill and Its Characters
In the same conversation, Tarantino touched on his personal connection to Kill Bill compared to his other films. While he labeled Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood as his favorite film and called Inglourious Basterds his masterpiece, he described Kill Bill as the movie he was born to make. The film’s blend of martial arts adventure and revenge drama holds a distinct place in his filmography.
Tarantino also reflected on his favorite moments from the movies, highlighting the intense fight sequence involving the Crazy 88 gang in the first volume as one of his most cherished scenes. The director’s admiration extended to his characters as well, singling out one in particular as his favorite creation despite her limited screen time.
“I’ll just tell you my favorite, I’m not going to put them all under the microscope as far as well, ‘Who’s the best and most meaningful?’ Gogo. Gogo is the most fun, she’s the most fun. I’m so proud of her. You could spend a lifetime doing Japanese anime and never come up with Gogo. And I did it my first f–ing time at that.”
Tarantino’s praise for Gogo Yubari, a fiercely memorable antagonist played by Chiaki Kuriyama, reveals his appreciation for the character’s originality and impact. He considers her a standout among the many iconic figures in his films, noting that the uniqueness of the character is rare even in the vibrant world of Japanese animation, yet he created her on his first attempt.
Notable Cast Members and Their Roles in Kill Bill
The two-part Kill Bill starred an ensemble that helped bring Tarantino’s vision to life, each actor portraying distinctive and memorable characters. Uma Thurman headlined the film as The Bride, also known by her alias Beatrix Kiddo and codename Black Mamba. Her relentless quest for vengeance drives the story forward.
Lucy Liu portrayed O-Ren Ishii, a powerful and enigmatic antagonist known as Cottonmouth, while Vivica A. Fox took on the role of Vernita Green, nicknamed Copperhead, another deadly adversary. Michael Madsen appeared as Budd, also called Sidewinder, adding to the cast of formidable enemies the lead must confront.
Preserving a Unique Film Experience That Defies Mainstream Distribution
Quentin Tarantino’s decision not to release Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair on physical or digital platforms reflects his desire to maintain control and uniqueness over this specific version of the film. By restricting public access to premium theatrical screenings at select venues like the New Beverly, he resists the commercial pressures that might dilute its impact.
This approach underlines Tarantino’s belief in the value of owning and managing his work personally, rather than succumbing to the corporate mechanisms that dominate film distribution today. For fans, this means that the complete Kill Bill experience remains a rare event, preserving the film’s mystique and offering an exclusive glimpse into the auteur’s vision.
As Tarantino continues to hold the rights and the only existing print of this extended version, its fate now rests with his future decisions. Whether or not he chooses to release it wider, the film stands as a testament to his craft and his protective stance on artistic ownership in an era of mass content proliferation.
