'But when John Ruth The Hangman catches ya, you ain't gonna die from no bullet in the back. Mm-mm. When The Hangman catches ya, you hang.'

Rating: 8/10 (28 April 2020)

QT's second pure western is based in the 1870s, during a deathly cold winter in Wyoming. A bounty hunter (Kurt Russell), his captive (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and two other strangers (Samuel L. Jackson and Walton Goggins) seek refuge in Minnie's haberdashery, a quaint cabin in the middle of nowhere. There they are joined by four other strangers seeking refuge and then begins a tense game of survival until the blizzard outside stops. As suggested by the title, the film is full of not very nice characters and Tarantino proves yet again he is the master of twisted enjoyment when it comes to their punishments, particularly Jason Leigh who goes through the wringer a lot! The clever thing about it all is that there's a massive enjoyment to be had in the company of these wicked people, all thanks to a stunning ensemble cast and a spectacular script. As well as being an engaging western thriller, a genuinely great comedy too with incredible dark humour throughout; everyone concocts a deliciously evil potion to quench your comic thirst! 'Christmas with mother.... is a wonderful thing.' A great line delivered with brooding intensity by Michael Madsen's Joe Gage! Samuel L Jackson's performance is just amazing; of course a legendary actor getting to work his dramatic and comic talent to its full here. The whole sequence of him taunting Bruce Dern's General Smithers is really something to behold. The music which showcases a gorgeous original score by Western legend Ennio Morricone is wonderful. Overall, I believe it's a divisive one in Quentins catalogue as it is his longest running and slowest to date, having no fear in taking its time on the small details. If you have patience you will be greatly rewarded