Tarantino’s ‘Death Proof’ DVD

    I’m just going to say it upfront: if you didn’t see “Death Proof” on the big screen as the latter-half of the Robert Rodriguez-Quentin Tarantino double-feature “Grindhouse,” you certainly won’t appreciate the extended version released on DVD this month. The original theatrical release was barely over an hour, but the DVD version – the cut that was the official selection at Cannes – is a full-length two-hour movie.     Not that you can’t enjoy it, but it just won’t be the same. The theatrical “Death Proof,” among other deleted scenes, had one deliberately placed “missing reel” that was so tragic and brilliant that the entire theatre literally groaned in unison when I saw it opening weekend. The “Grindhouse” package included both directors’ trimmed-down versions of their personal drive-in style B-movies, along with phony trailers, but the respective DVD releases (“Planet Terror” will be released later this month) go back to the director’s original vision. Rodriguez’s “Planet Terror” actually remained faithful to the B-movie grindhouse concept throughout – while Tarantino did somewhat with “Death Proof” with scratchy film and “missing reels,” but the concept takes a back seat to the story halfway into the movie.
    The film stars Kurt Russell as Stuntman Mike, an aging stunt driver – just as a point of interest: Kurt Russell also starred in John Carpenter’s 1982 film “The Thing” – which Tarantino cites as one of the key influences for his 1992 film “Reservoir Dogs.” “Death Proof” also features Rose McGowan (who also starred in “Planet Terror”) and Rosario Dawson (starred in Rodriguez’s 2005 film “Sin City), and introduces Zoe Bell as herself – a New Zealand native and professional stunt double (early in her career she was Uma Thurman’s stunt double in the “Kill Bill” movies).
    Compared to Rodriguez’s action-packed over-the-top zombie thriller “Planet Terror,” Tarantino’s “Death Proof” is much more subdued and down-to-earth. Although the film does include some amazing action sequences – with real cars and real stunt drivers – Tarantino also dedicates time to his characters. Although I still think “Death Proof” is a movie best enjoyed on the big screen, I did appreciate the added scenes, which provided much more depth and meaning to the story – but still left certain questions unanswered.
    And while “Death Proof” may have slightly more depth than “Planet Terror,” it’s still about fun – scenic driving sequences shot on location, unbelievable stunts and action scenes, and an amazing soundtrack (because obviously, any car movie can only be as good as its soundtrack). And like any other Tarantino movie – and in keeping with the grindhouse style – “Death Proof” is dark and violent and completely twisted, and very, very funny.
    I tried watching some of the extras, but even I found them a bit dry. I suppose these mainly appeal to the gear heads and the sort of people who truly appreciate the old car chase movies “Death Proof” pays homage to – i.e., “Vanishing Point,” the original “Gone in Sixty Seconds,” or even “The French Connection” to a certain degree. Although at least some of the features do put the film in a certain context – ultimately, if you can learn to tolerate listening to Quentin Tarantino’s wired and agitated manner of talking, he can be interesting. But I was mainly in it for the deleted scenes anyway.
    The extended and unrated two-disc edition of “Death Proof” is available on DVD now.
    Elizabeth “Liz” Gartley, of Houlton, has a BA in media studies from Emerson College in Boston. She has studied abroad in the Netherlands and Australia, and most recently interned at a production company in Hollywood. She can be reached online at egartley@gmail.com or leave a message for her at your local newspaper office.