Why Quentin Tarantino’s claustrophobic Western was almost never filmed as a movie

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: After a script leak in 2014, Quentin Tarantino abandoned his Western project, intending to publish it as a novel instead. He eventually returned to the screen, crafting a chamber drama that adheres to classical Aristotelian unities, featuring a rare original score by the legendary Ennio Morricone and an antique guitar destroyed on set.

Conceived as a sequel to 2012's Django Unchained, The Hateful Eight evolved into a standalone mystery thriller set in the aftermath of the American Civil War. The narrative centers on eight strangers trapped in a Wyoming stagecoach stopover during a blizzard. Tarantino drew inspiration from 1960s Western television series like Bonanza and The Virginian, aiming to create a film where no character is inherently heroic and every backstory is potentially a fabrication.

The production was marked by high-stakes technical choices and accidental drama. Shot on 65 mm film using Ultra Panavision 70 lenses, the film was designed for a wide-screen roadshow experience. In a notorious incident, an antique 1870s Martin guitar—meant to be swapped for a prop—was destroyed during filming. The museum that lent the instrument subsequently ceased all lending to film productions, as the piece was deemed irreparable.

The film's score represented a significant milestone for Ennio Morricone, marking his first complete Western score in 34 years and his only original score for a Tarantino film. Despite Morricone’s initial reluctance to collaborate again after Django Unchained, he composed 50 minutes of music for the project. The work earned him his first Academy Award for Best Original Score, following five previous nominations.

Critical reception was polarized, with some reviewers praising the film's craft and dialogue while others criticized its length and violent tone. Beyond the screen, the film faced external controversy when police groups threatened a boycott following Tarantino's public comments on police brutality in 2015. Despite these challenges, the film grossed over $161 million worldwide and was later re-released as a four-episode miniseries on Netflix in 2019.

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