Quentin Tarantino Had To Cut One Gross Pulp Fiction Scene To Avoid An NC-17 Rating

There are many ways for movies and TV shows to get around censors, from using slightly different curse words to utilizing implied violence, which is the approach «Pulp Fiction» took to get it down to an R-rating. While director Quentin Tarantino seems fine with toning down violence, he’ll defend to the death his right to get as bloody and gory as possible in his projects.

Tarantino appeared on «Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace» in 2022, where he was asked about the violence and language in his films. He said concretely (in a statement republished by Variety): «See something else. If you have a problem with my movies then they aren’t the movies to go see. Apparently, I’m not making them for you.» With a far more gleeful tone, Tarantino infamously debated San Francisco-based movie critic Jan Wahl in 2003, where she asked him why he must include so much gruesome violence in his movies. Tarantino’s response: «Because it’s so much fun, Jan!»

Tarantino’s penchant for blood landed «Kill Bill Vol. 1» in NC-17 territory before changes were made. Tarantino’s double feature with Robert Rodriguez, «Grindhouse,» was also heading for an NC-17 rating unless significant cuts were made. Up until this point, Tarantino has remained within the R-rating range, but perhaps he’ll make the jump to an NC-17 before he retires.