Top 10 Quentin Tarantino Characters
A difficult list to make and I am sure you'll disagree
 | Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) – Pulp Fiction |
Photo: Miramax
This is where my indecision shows, but I just couldn't have Vincent without Jules as I look at Sam Jackson's performance in Pulp Fiction as the greatest performance Jackson has ever given and what I expect to be a performance he won't be able to top, and not for a lack of talent as much as for a lack of characters out there that can match up to Jules' intensity and passion. Where Vincent mumbles his way through Pulp Fiction, Jules experiences a transformation with the only true character arc in the film and it is an impressive one. Does it seem weird to go from reading Bible quotes and gunning down a man after snagging a bit of his burger to believing in a moment of divine intervention and swearing right then and there he has been set upon a new path? Hell yeah, but it isn't altogether unrealistic given the circumstances and it really paints a much larger picture of the character than we were originally given. Loved it.
 | Kim (Tracie Thoms) – Death Proof |
Photo: The Weinstein Co.
One of the worst mistakes with the marketing of Death Proof was the focus on the first half of the film, when in fact the second half is the most entertaining portion of the entire Grindhouse double-feature. As a matter of fact, had Tarantino only released the second half of the film without the first in theaters I think we are talking about a far more impressive showing for the film. The running time would have been cut down and the celebration for Tracie Thoms as Kim would have been far more recognized. Out of all the female characters Quentin has written for, in my opinion, Kim received the absolute best lines from top to bottom and Thoms brought this character to life like no other. Kim and Zoe (Zoe Bell) created a team worth cheering for and the entire chase scene featured to the right is made up of only one-third of the great moments featuring Kim's dialogue as she chases down Stuntman Mike with much gusto. I would have preferred to include the girls' conversation in the opening driving scene or at the restaurant, but this was all I could find.
 | Col. Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz) – Inglourious Basterds |
Photo: The Weinstein Co.
I honestly cannot wait until everyone gets to take in Christoph Waltz's performance as Col. Hans Landa. Tarantino again cast the perfect man in the perfect role. The words are there and Waltz chews them up and brings them to the table with absolute brilliance. I may need multiple viewings to make up my mind on Inglourious Basterds as a movie, but as far as characters go Landa is an all-timer. Buzz for Waltz's performance as the "Jew Hunter" began after the film first screened at Cannes and it's for good reason. Waltz brings Tarantino's words to life in a way another actor may have tried to just let the words do the work. There is a movement and air about Waltz's performance that makes Landa larger than life as a character you love to hate and there was absolutely no second guessing when it came to placing Tarantino's newest character creation at the top of this list. While I would usually reserve a grace period for rewarding such newly hatched work, no such time is needed in this case. Like the movie or not, this is a character you will be talking about long after you've left the theater.
Do I have enough honorable mentions for you? If not, I also wanted to add Zoe from Death Proof to the list, but I would have had to shrink the above image slivers to the point you would hardly recognize their faces. As you can tell I have a lot of favorites when it comes to Tarantino's films and I really can't say any one of his efforts have ever left me feeling cold. I love his work and his characters, and creating a list of only ten was a tough task, but it had to be done.
Now that you have seen my selections, it is your turn. Are there any I have left off my list or my honorables that make your list of ten? Weigh in below with your selections and ready yourself as Inglourious Basterds is just around the corner.
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Great list. But seriously, The Bride should have been somewhere in the Top Ten, instead of just an honorable mention. Still a great list. QT is my hero, and he creates some of the most original and colorful characters I have ever experienced.
@Martian Army: The Bride is a great character, but I think she is the #1 example of a Tarantino character enhanced by those around her. She meets a MASSIVE group of eclectic characters that shape her path, without them I don't think she is nearly as interesting.
I am betting, though, she is the one character most people will disagree with me on and would place in their own top tens.
Fine list apart from the DEATHPROOF mention. I wouldn't have ANY of the characters from DEATHPROOF ANY where near that list. Midpoint car-crash aside DEATHPROOF is an absoutely awful piece of cinema; with cardboard cut-out characters, over-indulgent/pointless dialogue and overlong/repetitive scenes with absolutely no narrative drive.
Noted: it was meant to be a Z-Movie homage but Tarantino is so much better than that — as he proves with INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS. An absolutely storming film with awesome script, characterisation, performances and scenes which balance suspense and extreme violence perfectly.
As a historical document it's so OTT, you cannot take IB seriously at all; but you can't take away the fact it's an riotous blend of Western and War films. I watched it last night and people were applauding and cheering at the end! Haven't seen a London audience do that in a while.
10. Bridget von Hammersmark – Inglourious Basterds. I just fell in love with her in that La Louisiane sequence. Diane Krueger was gorgeous, charming and very sympathetic, and she demonstrated some wonderful acting in a scene with Pitt and Roth, and later in her final scene with Christoph Waltz. Of all the characters, I felt for her the most.
9. Max Cherry – Jackie Brown. A great comeback turn from Robert Forster, and the perfect example of what a truly brilliant "subtle acting" is. Granted, Forster doesn't demonstrate a lot of emotions, but he nevertheless creates a strong and charismatic character who you totally sympathize with from his first scene.
8. Mia Wallace – Pulp Fiction. Yeah, she's on screen for like 20 minutes, but she's simply awesome in those 20 minutes. Incredibly charming, witty, beautiful and humorous, with some of the best dialogue in the film, having a great chemistry with Vincent, and participating in one of my favourite sequences from any movie ever. Of course, I'm talking about the dance. Uma Thurman was fantastic, she appeared for 20 minutes, stole the movie and got away with it, leaving us wanting more.
7. Budd – Kill Bill Vol. 2. Michael Madsen was nothing but outstanding in the film, providing menace, charisma, wit and power. And he makes you feel sorry for him, with him living absolutely alone in a desert, having a shitty job and being abused by his boss on a regular basis. Madsen turned in a fascinating performance, once again reminding us that he doesn't belong to those direct-to-dvd movies that nobody watches. It's a goddamn shame that he hasn't had a lot of roles like this – a sad example of wasted potential.
6. The Bride – Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2. Arguably the most complex character QT has ever created, and played brilliantly by Thurman in the two movies. She's one of the most badass action heroines in history, at the same time being deep and tragic character. Her scenes with Bill in Vol. 2 were perfect, she makes you feel for her much more than in Vol. 1, with you feeling for Bill at the same time.
5. Mr. Orange – Reservoir Dogs. A complex, humorous, charismatic young guy, who took upon the task he wasn't ready for, and in the end heavily paid for it. His "commode story" monologue is easily my favourite part of the film, he makes you feel for him, and his last scene with Mr. White is so, so, so powerful. Tim Roth was great.
4. Mr. White – Reservoir Dogs. Yes, of all the bunch I like this man the best. It's him who's the most tragic character in that film, having befriended a man whom he didn't really know, he's actually human, and he's the character I feel for the most. And Harvey Keitel's expression at the closing shot of RD will stay with me forever.
3. Col. Hans Landa – Inglourious Basterds. I watched the film yesterday, and while I too will have to make up my opinion after multiple viewings, from the very opening scene there was no question in the brilliance of this character. He goes from serious to funny and then back in a matter of seconds, and it doesn't feel wrong one bit. He's menacing and charming, funny and brutal, he's unlike any Nazi you'll ever see, and he would be great to have a glass of milk with. Christoph Waltz is brilliant, and I really hope he wins an Academy Award. And it's about time for Quentin Tarantino to have finally directed an Oscar-winning performance, too.
2. Bill – Kill Bill Vol 2. His couple of scenes from Vol. 1 were great, but it was from the very opening scene in Vol. 2, when the character really grabs your attention and doesn't let go till the very end. I said it before and I'll say it again, David Carradine deserved any kind of award for his performance. His delivery is perfect, his dialogue is pleasure to hear, he's very charismatic and tragic character, and I was feeling incredibly sorry for him at the end of Vol. 2. One of my favourite movie characters ever.
1. Jules Winnfield – Pulp Fiction. I'll put it simply: the coolest movie character ever. Ever.
Honorable mentions:
Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi) – Reservoir Dogs
Vincent Vega (John Travolta) – Pulp Fiction
Jackie Brown (Pam Grier) – Jackie Brown
Hattori Hanzo (Sonny Chiba) – Kill Bill Vol. 1
Esteban Vihaio (Michael Parks) – Kill Bill Vol. 2
Stuntman Mike (Kurt Russell) – Death Proof
Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) – Inglourious Basterds
Overall, I believe that when it comes to creating memorable characters and directing actors – um… nobody is better than Quentin Tarantino. He brings the best game out of any actor, and the only director who could possibly give him a run for his money is Martin Scorsese. QT created some of the most iconic and memorable characters ever, and I hope he will continue to do so. As Inglourious Basterds clearly showed, he has lost none of his ability.
Love that you had Michael Madsen in there, he is such an underrated actor. As for Keitel's line is Reservoir Dogs, it is one of my favorite QT lines.
Can't wait to see Waltz. Do you think he will be lead or supporting actor comes Award season?
Out of all the characters you picked from Death Proof, you picked the one I hated the most. I found Kim to be shrill and annoying. Number 2? Really? Her one character trait was screeching "Muthafucka" every two seconds.
If you were going to pick someone from that boring waste of a film, you should have picked Stuntman Mike. He was the most interesting character in a movie almost totally devoid of them.
@Danny: Waltz is exceptional and should get a Best Supporting Actor nomination. He delivers on all counts: dialogue, physicality, mannerisms and menace. Tarantino has unearthed an – unheard of (to me) until now – exceptional German actor.
For sheer physical presence Til Schweiger is also great as Sgt. Stiglitz.
@Nick: "Arguably the most complex character QT has ever created." Couldn't agree more on your comment about The Bride. When I read Brad's list I was like, "WHOA, no Bride!". She's the most emotional Tarantino character. And I never thought Uma Thurman could top her performance in Pulp Fiction; well, she did. The moment she wakes up in the hospital and look at her hands… brilliant. It moved me.
And yeah, Max Cherry and Jackie Brown should be on the list. When I saw Jackie Brown, it was the first time that, while watching a Tarantino movie, I thought, "These are *real* people". But I love the mention of Melanie, I was also pretty sad by her demise! She was just… adorable.
Mr Brown should have had a mention just for the "Like A Virgin" speech alone.
Only Joking yeah it was a gd list but I don;t think Kim should have been in it. Better than Jules ? Hell No I'm a massive Tarantino fan but Death Proof was a borefest the last half hour couldn't make up for the previous 45. Having just watched Jackie Brown again last night i'd say that Jackie herself deserves to be in the line up, it's not Tarantino's best work either but then again he wasn't gonna make a film on the same scale as Pulp Fiction even he knew that whatever he made after that wasn't gona touch upon it.
I'm happy with the list the exclusion of Jackie from the list and the inclusion of Kim is my only real criticism, but why no Mr Pink either.
"Hear that, that is the world's smallest violin playing only for the waitresses," That line alone deserves his inclusion not honorable mention. I'm not gonna do my own line up because i'm hopefully seeing Basterds tomorrow but i Know that both Mr Pink and Jackie Brown would be in the ten if i did.
There are two I'd put on mine not listed here.
- Jackie Brown herself, a marvelously complicated character, played to perfection by Pam Grier.
- Mr White from RD, with my all time favorite Keitel performance, the guy is so sure of himself and its a tragedy how much faith he puts into the wrong man.
Failure to include Drexl Spivey should not go unpunished.
poor list, Brad. its like youre trying to be cool (and current) with some odd choices. Kim from Death Proof? Brad Pitt being wooden and hammy at the same time? come on. Michael Parks' character in Kill Bill 2 is utterly pointless and indulgent, when all he really does is tell The Bride: 'yeah, Bill lives down the road there…'
i have to admit though, your Jules Winnfield hockey video won me over – would definitely be my number one, if a rather obvious choice.
Mr Pink and Max Cherry (a super performance in Jackie Brown from Robert Forster, even if I don't love the film) would be up there. as would Jackie Boy (Benicio del Toro) from Sin City – a complete and utter b**terd in a scene that was directed by Tarantino.
the big question of course is which is the best of Quentin's two masterpieces: http://rossvross.com/2009/07/17/reservoir-dogs-v-pulp-fiction/
would be interested to know what you think
@Brad: Uma Thurman is quite possibly QT's greatest muse of all-time. How is then, Brad, that you failed to mention even one of her classic characters. You can be forgiven for not including Mrs. Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction (still QT's finest cinematic achievement) but how in the hell did you fail to include THE BRIDE from Kill Bill?
Also, no Marcelus Wallace? No Bill from Kill Bill? No Butch from Pulp Fiction? Take some time to consider the error of your ways Mr. Brevet – please….
One of QT's biggest fans
@Brad: Oh, and did you really dare to put Kim from Deathproof over Mr. Jules Winnfield? JESUS CHRIST MAN?
"Check out the brain on Brad" – Jules Winnfield
He only wrote it. But "True Romance" has a gaggle of characters that might be worth mentioning…..Clarence (Slater), Alabama (Arquette), Clifford (Hopper), Drexl (Oldman), Floyd (Pitt), Vincenzo (Walken). I know he didn't direct it, but they are QT's Characters….there I feel better.
really wanted to see captain koons in at least the top ten
@Paul L.: Yeah from all of the reviews I've read, Waltz's performance seems like the one thing that everyone has agreed is very, very good.
I think you should call these lists your top ten favorites lists instead of declaring them the best objectively. Everyone's list is going to be something different.
@T: That is why I call it "my" list and ask for "your" list at the end. I never claim to be publishing the end-all be-all and that is rather self-explanatory if you read the piece. Did you read what I wrote by the way?
Waltz owned that role and whomever saw that movie has to agree that it was not only scene-stealing but movie-stealing, in the same way heath stole dark knight.
Without having seen Basterds:
10: Marsellus Wallace – It's the slow methodical delivery, even after being raped.
9: Vincent – Impossible to have Jules without Vincent, a really classic duo.
8: K-Billy DJ – I just realized how much I remember Wright's voice from that movie, like the PA from MASH
7: Budd – Pure White Trash
6: Max Cherry – I guess people don't like Jackie Brown as much as Tarantino's others but I really like all the nuances that every actor brought to their parts.
5: Louis Gara – Same as above, watching the annoyance level rise and rise is so good.
4: Mr. White – The veteran who makes the worst mistake he could and you can see the heartbreak at the end and what he does leaves you cold.
3: Jackie Brown – I never new what to think of the character the first time through but she ended up playing everybody and I really enjoyed it.
2: Nice Guy Eddie – You said it best Brad.
1: Most quotable character ever!
Oops forgot to type "Jules" as #1 dbag
The Only One I Would Add To The Top Ten And Curious Why You Didn't Even Add To Your Honorable Mentions Is My Personal Favorite Stuntman Mike. I Love All Quentin's Movies And A Ton Of His Characters. But I Think Other Than Jules, Stuntman Mike Has Some Of The Best Dialogue In Any Of Tarantino's Film's. The Scene Where He's Trying To Convince Butterfly To Give Him A Lap Dance Is Fantastic! Though This May Change Once I See Inglorious Basterds. Col. Hanz Landa Does Seem Like A Fun Character. Cannot Wait To See It.
I am just curious as to why my personal fav of his "True Romance" was not mentioned at all. Clarence and Alabama Worley were both wonderful characters who found love at the beginning of the film and managed to keep it despite all manner of violence and general thuggery. Please do not discount that movie. It has everything a film fan could want…love, death, blood, purloined cocaine, roller coasters and a cast that was truly amazing. Also, it has Brad Pitt as Floyd the stoner…a girls dream.
FROM BRAD: Read. You are curious because you didn't read the article and only looked at the pictures. Read and before you even get to the top ten you will have the reason. Read.
@T: The last sentence of Brad's introduction says "my top ten Quentin Tarantino characters". What more are you looking for?
Brad how could you leave Sgt. Hugo Stiglitz out of this list. He was amazing! He was one of my favorite characters of that movie, but yes Hans Landa was incredible. Played his role to perfection and Pitt was excellent as always!
I was ready for The Bride to be number one. I was shocked when she wasn't. She was without a doubt my favorite character in ANY QT film.
Well Taking Some Time And Putting Some Serious Thought In, Without Having Seen Inglorious Basterds. Here Are My Top Ten Favorite Characters.
10. John Travolta As Vincent Vega – Pulp Fiction
9. Vanessa Ferlito As Arlene (A.K.A. Butterfly) – Death Proof
8. Quentin Tarantino As Chester – Four Rooms
7. Lucy Lui As O-Ren Ishii – Kill Bill
6. Tim Roth As Ted The Bellhop – Four Rooms
5. Steve Buscemi As Mr. Pink – Reservoir Dogs
4. Tracie Thoms As Kim – Death Proof
3. David Caradine As Bill – Kill Bill
2. Samuel L. Jackson As Jules Winnfield Pulp Fiction
1. Kurt Russell As Stuntman Mike – Death Proof
Honorable Mentions:
Pam Grier As Jackie Brown – Jackie Brown
Samuel L. Jackson As Ordell Robbie – Jackie Brown
Zoe Bell As Zoe – Death Proof
Michael Madsen As Mr. Blonde – Reservoir Dogs
Tim Roth As Mr. Orange – Reservoir Dogs
Michael Madsen As Budd – Kill Bill
Sonny Chiba As Hattori Hanzo – Kill Bill
Uma Thurman As The Bride – Kill Bill
Having now seen Inglorious Basterds, I now understand why Tarantino said he would've scrapped the entire movie had he not been able to find the perfect Hans Landa. Truly one of my favorite characters out of all the Tarantino movies I have seen.
@Lisa: You are right…I did not read the entire piece.
I am sad that Tim Roth was left off this list, in his role in pulp fiction, and in four rooms (which i guess wasn't purely a tarantino film, but was still fucking amazing)
10. Michael Parks – Kill Bill Vol. 2
9. Bridget Fonda – Jackie Brown
8. August Diehl – Inglorious Basterds
7. Michael Madsen – Reservoir Dogs
6. Brad Pitt – Inglorious Basterds
5. Uma Thurman – Pulp Fiction
4. Uma Thurman – Kill Bill Vol 1+2
3. John Travolta – Pulp Fiction
2. Samuel L. Jackson – Pulp Fiction
1. Christoph Waltz – Inglorious Basterds
One of my favorites that noone mentioned is george clooney as seth gecko in from dusk til dawn. he was just too damn cool.
I think Floyd from True Romance should absolutely be on this list.
What about Melanie Laurent's portrayal of Shosannah from Inglourious Basterds? That was a brilliant, head-strong character, and Laurent really brought her character to life. You could cut the tension with a knife during the scene with Christoph Waltz. "Wait for the Creme!" Stunning!
I was so glad to see Michael Parks listed. Watching him in two roles in the Kill Bill films, the sheriff who conducts the wedding massacure (with his son!) and then as the old pimp was a stunning study of acting. It's just hard to believe at first he's the same actor. And I could watch him and Uma dance around in that coy scene over and over again.
Pretty cool list, Hans Landa by far the best. I do believe Stuntman Mike and Bill belong on this list as well though. Another character I would put on this list would be Lt. Archie Hicox. I absolutely loved him and I believe his character is being over shadowed by Raine and Landa.
Here's my list…..I'm a bit old fashion when it comes to Tarantino….the older the film the better it is IMO!
10. Pai Mai-Kill Bill 2
9. Captian Koons-Pulp Fiction
8. Drexal Spivey-True Romance
7. Earl McGraw-From Dusk till Dawn
6. Hattori Hanzo-Kill Bill 1
5. Butch Coolidge-Pulp Fiction
4. Mr. Blonde-Reservior Dogs
3. Jules Winfield-Pulp Fiction
2. Freddy Nowendike-Reservior Dogs
1. Seth Gecko-From Dusk till Dawn
10: The Bride (Kill Bill)
9 : Lt. Aldo Raine (Inglorious Basterds)
8 : Jackie Brown (Jackie Brown)
7 : Vincent Vega (Pulp Fiction)
6 : Stuntman Mike (Death Proof)
5 : Mr. Blonde (Reservoir Dogs)
4 : Mr. Pink (Reservoir Dogs)
3 : Bill (Kill Bill)
2 : Jules Winnfield (Pulp Fiction)
1 : Col. Hans Landa (Inglorious Basterds)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxAIWLEy4mA
The diner scene from Death Proof.
The man who helped Budd bury the Bride in Kill Bill. Don't know his name but, he was great!