Quentin Tarantino Points to a Director He Considers Overrated

Quentin Tarantino has built an impressive career drawing from a vast well of film history that spans classic Hollywood gems to obscure low-budget flicks. His movies blend these influences into something uniquely his own, whether he’s crafting intense crime tales, high-energy martial arts sequences, or sweeping western epics. This eclectic approach shines through in every project, making his work instantly recognizable to fans around the world. Over the years, he’s openly shared his passions, especially for westerns, which inspired back-to-back hits like ‘Django Unchained’ and ‘The Hateful Eight’ in the early 2010s.

In ‘Django Unchained’, Tarantino paid homage to a 1966 film by Sergio Corbucci with the same name, even featuring a cameo from its original star, Franco Nero. He often lists his all-time favorite westerns, putting ‘Rio Bravo’, ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’, and ‘One-Eyed Jacks’ at the top. These choices reflect his admiration for directors like Sergio Leone, whose bold storytelling and visual flair clearly shaped Tarantino’s style. Yet, despite this love for the genre, there’s one iconic figure in western cinema that he outright rejects.

That director is John Ford, known for timeless classics such as ‘The Searchers’ and ‘Stagecoach’. Many assume Tarantino would revere Ford given his impact on the western landscape, but that’s far from the truth. In a revealing interview with Henry Louis Gates, Tarantino didn’t hold back his disdain. He described Ford’s work as highly overrated and admitted to hating him deeply.

Tarantino’s criticism centers on how Ford depicted Native Americans in his films, treating them as nameless figures to be dispatched without thought, much like zombies in a horror story. He argued that these portrayals reinforced a limited view of humanity, deciding whose stories deserved attention and whose didn’t. Beyond that, Tarantino took aim at Ford’s celebrated cinematography, calling it overrated in his personal view. This strong opinion highlights Tarantino’s willingness to challenge even the most revered names in film history.

While Ford’s movies set standards for visual storytelling in westerns, Tarantino sees them as flawed in their messaging and execution. He contrasts this with the directors he admires, who brought more nuance and excitement to the screen. This perspective adds depth to understanding Tarantino’s own films, where he often subverts traditional tropes to explore themes of justice and revenge. His outspoken nature keeps conversations about cinema lively and thought-provoking.

Shifting gears to his current endeavors, Tarantino recently decided to abandon his planned tenth film, ‘The Movie Critic’. Instead, he’s turned his attention to a new project called ‘The Adventures of Cliff Booth’, which he wrote as a follow-up to ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’. This high-budget period drama will be directed by David Fincher and stars Brad Pitt reprising his role as the charismatic stuntman Cliff Booth. Set for release on Netflix later this year, the film wrapped production in January after an intense shooting schedule.

Beyond the big screen, Tarantino is expanding his creative reach into theater. He’s preparing for his debut in London’s West End with an original stage play that he penned himself. To oversee rehearsals personally, he’s even relocated his family to the UK for the duration. This move shows his restless energy and desire to tackle new mediums after decades in film.

Tarantino’s career continues to evolve, blending his encyclopedic knowledge of movies with fresh ideas that push boundaries. His critiques, like the one aimed at Ford, remind us that even legends aren’t immune to scrutiny in the eyes of fellow artists. By calling out what he sees as shortcomings, he encourages deeper discussions about representation and artistry in cinema. Fans appreciate this honesty, as it fuels ongoing debates about the medium’s past and future.

What do you think about Quentin Tarantino’s take on John Ford—share your thoughts in the comments.