Quentin Tarantino, an Academy Award-winning director, recently revealed his admiration for Christopher Nolan’s favorite movie Dunkirk, a gripping 2017 war epic, during an appearance on The Bret Easton Ellis podcast. Tarantino shared that although his initial reaction to Dunkirk was mixed, repeated viewings led him to recognize the film’s exceptional craftsmanship.
Tarantino’s Journey to Appreciating Dunkirk
During his conversation with Bret Easton Ellis, Tarantino spoke candidly about how his opinion of Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk changed over time. He did not immediately connect with the film upon first viewing. However, through subsequent experiences with Dunkirk, his perspective shifted as he began to appreciate the skillful storytelling and technical prowess that Nolan brought to the project.
“Another film that I didn’t initially like […] What I now love about it is that I feel there’s a real mastery to it, and I came around to it watching it again and again and again,”
said Quentin Tarantino, director and screenwriter.
“The first time, it’s not like it left me cold — it was so kind of gobsmacking, I didn’t really know what I saw, it was almost too much, and then the second time I saw it, my brain was able to take it in a little bit more, and then the third time and the fourth time, it was just like, wow, it just blew me away.”
— Quentin Tarantino, director and screenwriter.
The Director’s Pick for Best 2000s Movie
While Dunkirk led Tarantino’s admiration for Nolan’s works, he named Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down as his top film from the 2000s. Tarantino, best known for Kill Bill, discussed how Black Hawk Down stood out for its remarkable visual style and Scott’s ability to sustain a gripping pace. He credited Josh Hartnett’s performance and the film’s war-driven narrative as key elements that contributed to its impact on audiences.
“I liked it when I first saw it, but I actually think it was so intense that it stopped working for me, and I didn’t carry it with me the way that I should’ve […] Since then, I’ve seen it a couple of times, not a bunch of times, but I think it’s a masterwork, and one of the things I love so much about it is […] this is the only movie that actually goes completely for an Apocalypse Now sense of purpose and visual effect and feeling, and I think it achieves it,”
shared Quentin Tarantino, director.
“It keeps up the intensity for 2 hours 45 minutes, or whatever it is, and I watched it again recently, my heart was going through the entire runtime of the movie; it had me and never let me go, and I hadn’t seen it in a while. The feat of direction is beyond extraordinary.”
— Quentin Tarantino, director.
Tarantino’s Top Ten Films of the 2000s
In his conversation on The Bret Easton Ellis podcast, Tarantino listed his ten favorite films released during the 2000s, which includes both Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk and Ridley Scott’s Black Hawk Down. This insight into his preferences highlights his respect for bold directing and immersive storytelling, characteristics embodied by these acclaimed works.
Why Tarantino’s Endorsement Matters
Tarantino’s perspective holds considerable influence due to his status in the global film community. By championing movies like Dunkirk and Black Hawk Down, he brings renewed attention to directors such as Christopher Nolan and Ridley Scott, and actors like Josh Hartnett. The passionate manner in which Tarantino discusses his evolving appreciation emphasizes the enduring effect of expertly crafted cinema. His reflections suggest that repeated exposure can deepen appreciation and understanding of complex films, reshaping opinions over time and inspiring new audiences to revisit these acclaimed works.
