Django Unchained (2012)

From the moment the trailer first arrived in the summer of 2012, I knew there was something special about to hit the screens.

Quentin Tarantino was back on form with his recent German World War 2 inspired Inglourious Basterds so it was fascinating to see what he was going to do with the western era as it bumped up against slavery.

The opening shot, of a line of slaves chained together drudging through the harsh open winter, with a distinctly spaghetti-western feel you literally have no idea what you are about to witness. The music fades, and the first scene starts to unfold, as Christoph Waltz (Dr Schultz) comes riding on a wagon pertaining to have him as a dentist, you are about to get a feel for what the next near 3 hrs of your life is about to be. Trust me, this is time that is not going to be wasted.

Jamie Foxx plays Django (the d is silent) a slave that teams up with Schultz (a bounty hunter) to help him track down some fugitives he can’t personally identify. Once that goes very well, they agree to team up, make some money and then go after the love of Django’s life who has not yet won her freedom.

To give away the story or some of the set pieces would be doing a disservice to those who have not seen this modern day masterpiece.

Leonardo DiCaprio does a perfect turn as the major slave owner of the region playing a ruthless character with

Samuel L. Jackson as his indentured man servant.

Keep an eye out for

Don Johnson and the pre-raid hood scene. You may actually cry with laughter. You know deep down you shouldn’t be laughing, but this is the genius of the screenplay. Don’t fight it, go with it. It works out in the end.

Tarantino takes a very serious and shameful period of history and manages to present a different point of view without demeaning any of the struggle or heartache endured.

This is Tarantino at his very best and deserves to be put in anyone’s playlist to be consumed at your earliest.

btw the thumbing soundtrack is not to be sniffed at.