Fan-made tribute: Quentin Tarantino on The Outfit (from Cinema Speculation)
Imagine bringing a chapter of Quentin Tarantino’s Cinema Speculation to life through video. That’s precisely what professional video editor Alan Berry (The Tapes Archive) has created. His interpretation transforms Tarantino’s written words into a visual experience.
Quentin Tarantino‘s Cinema Speculation (here at the QT Archives we are huge fans of that book, make sure you own it, also it makes a great Holiday gift) is a collection of essays exploring films that have influenced and inspired him throughout his career. His chapter on The Outfit, a 1973 film directed by John Flynn, showcases his deep appreciation for the movie. Tarantino highlights the film as the most successful adaptation of mystery writer Donald Westlake‘s character Parker, a professional armed robber. This chapter delves into various aspects of the film and other related movies, offering a rich exploration of this genre.
In the book, and thus in Berry’s video, Tarantino discusses how The Outfit, which features a climactic all-out assault led by the criminal character played by Robert Duvall on the mob boss’s headquarters, exemplifies the quintessence of a specific type of crime film. He expands this discussion by referencing other films with Parker stand-ins, like Point Blank (starring Lee Marvin) and other similar Parker characters like Heat (starring Robert De Niro) This wide range of references shows Tarantino’s extensive knowledge and love for cinema, particularly films with a gritty, crime-focused narrative.
Moreover, Berry’s video based on Quentin’s chapter is not just an appreciation of The Outfit but also a broader exploration of the crime genre and its impact on cinema. It offers insights into how these films have shaped Tarantino’s perspective on filmmaking and storytelling. The chapter is part of a larger work in which Tarantino shares his views on a wide range of films, from classic Hollywood movies to cult favorites, providing a unique perspective on the art of filmmaking.
The video boasts a dynamic and humorous rhythm, complemented by an AI-generated voiceover reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino himself. It’s sprinkled with a variety of Tarantino-related hidden gems – some are straightforward to spot, while others pose a delightful challenge. Viewers will recognize many familiar films and discover several intriguing ones they’ll be eager to explore.
About the Creator: Award-winning video editor Alan Berry dedicates his spare time to crafting “fan-made” videos, which he describes as heartfelt tributes to fellow creators he admires. These projects are driven by passion, not profit. Berry, who initially focused on creating videos themed around music artists, is now venturing into the realm of movies. Collaborating with his long-standing creative ally, writer and producer Mark Enochs, they have produced numerous videos that have garnered millions of views. Berry’s YouTube channel, The Tapes Archive, is a testament to its success, boasting nearly 10 million views and over 60,000 subscribers.
Berry aspires for Quentin to notice and appreciate this video, which clocks at a little over 30 minutes, hoping it paves the way for him to create more such tributes to Tarantino in the future. We thought it was very well made and were initially fooled, the AI voice is spot on. Maybe that’s the future of audiobooks or voice overs anyway, who knows. The editing is fantastic.
Head over to Berry’s Youtube channel or play it in the embedded video below.
It goes without saying that the text of the video is written by Quentin Tarantino, taken from his book Cinema Speculation. Mr Tarantino had nothing to do with the making of this video. This is a fan-made tribute to him and classic cinema. The voice is generated by AI. The Tapes Archive is not affiliated with The Quentin Tarantino Archives.