Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35127 in DVD
• Released on: 2006-04-10
• Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 95 minutes

Synopsis
Former video store clerk Quentin Tarantino's directorial debut, RESERVOIR DOGS, is a brutally funny, supercharged introduction to his supremely distinct cinematic vision, which was later to become one of the most mimicked styles of the 1990s. Mastermind Joe Cabot (Lawrence Tierney) assembles a crew of top-notch criminals to pull off a jewelry store heist. As the film opens it becomes immediately clear that the plan backfired, forcing the survivors, who have gathered at an abandoned warehouse, to figure out if one of them is, in fact, a police informer. The crew Mr. White (Harvey Keitel), an aged veteran; Mr. Orange (Tim Roth), a wounded newcomer; Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen), a psychopathic parolee; Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi), a bickering weasel; and Nice Guy Eddie (Chris Penn), Joe's son begin to unravel as the pressure becomes too much for them to handle. When Joe arrives, the truth becomes clear in a vicious Mexican standoff.Tarantino takes liberally from Hong Kong action flicks, most notably Ringo Lam's CITY ON FIRE, but his ultra-hip '70s soundtrack and hysterical pop culture dialogue make the film seem wholly original and new. Taking a cue from the French New Wave most notably Jean-Luc Godard RESERVOIR DOGS remains one of the decade's most influential motion pictures.

Customer Reviews

Fantastic Debut From Tarantino
Whilst Tarantino is now a household name, back in 1992, he was an unknown with a spartan budget on which to direct this. He has done a superb job, creating a crime film in the grand old tradition of alternative cinema, referencing the art-house flicks which Tarantino had clearly been devouring for years.

Despite that, it boasts a stellar cast, featuring Michael Madsen, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, Chris Penn and Tarantino himself. A planned diamond heist, to be carried out by seven men is the premise, but things soon go badly wrong, and it becomes clear that one of their number is not what they seem - hence the original working title 'A Rat In The House'. Performances from Roth, Keitel and Buscemi are all excellent, but it is Michael Madsen who steals the show as 'Mr.Blonde', a derranged ex-con who has virtually no regard for human life. This eventually culminates in the film's most memorable and notorious scene, the legendary 'ear-cutting' scene, in which Madsen brutally tortures a police officer, all set to the music of 'Stuck In The Middle With You' by Gerry Rafferty.

Elsewhere, the friendship between Roth and Keitel is touching, and Tarantino proves he is not just a director, but a keen observer of the human psyche. The film, split into different sections, and heralding Tarantino's unique style, is shot in a grim, realistic way, static at times and inventive at others.

Suffice to say, 'Reservoir Dogs' is a truly revolutionary piece of film-making which set Tarantino apart as the Hitchcock of his era. The performances are stellar, the violence is strong, and the plot is intricate. Above all, the overall film is an exercise in unconventional film-making. Hard to believe, but Tarantino would actually better this only two years later with 'Pulp Fiction'.

Cheap, Low-budget movie
Having watched this movie for the first time in ten years (yesterday-June '08), I was blown away by its brilliance and power. Lets get down to the brass tacks- this is a low-budget movie and it has the patina of a cheap amateur production. First movie from the big-chin Quentin Tarantino who came out of nowhere (i.e., a video store in Manhattan Beach, California) and turned Hollywood on its ear in 1992 with this breath of fresh air.

Reservoir Dogs has a fantastic unconventional structure, cleverly shuffling back and forth in time to reveal details about the characters-- experienced criminals who know next to nothing about each other.
From the start we know something has gone wrong, and the plan has blown up in the criminals faces. One by one, the surviving robbers find their way back to a prearranged warehouse hideout and from there we are treated to two hours of blinding genius motion picture.

This movie will forever remain a piece of 1990's nostalgia. This is the kind of movie that you can watch again and again. Upon first seeing this film back in 1997, I was struck by the occasional outbursts of bloody violence and vulgar language. I found myself confused towards the direction of the plot which made me dislike the movie at first but that all would change.

On second viewing I realise this movie was going against the grain at the time. It wasn't like any of the cliche' and lame crime films of the 80's and early-90's (eg. see K.Costner in the typical Hollywood garbage REVENGE). Resevoir Dogs was original and set the standard for the crime genre for the rest of the decade. It broke new ground and surprised the viewer at every corner.

A good start
Let me begin by saying I'm a huge Tarantino fan. I'm only comparing Dogs to his other releases, no-one elses, but I'd like to offer a rather unpopular opinion: Reservoir Dogs isn't as great as so many claim it to be. I think it set the style he would follow and improve upon, but even Jackie Brown rewards repeated viewing more than the Dogs...

It's better than most efforts in this genre, or many other genres for that matter, and it's worth your cash and time, but it's not as layered as later efforts. And while the script is sharp as ever, the acting [by some] is a bit clunky at times, a bit too aware of the hipness of it all.

For newbies I'd recommend starting here... Chris Penn is great, as is Tim Roth and Harvey Keitel, and this really does introduce Tarantino as one to watch, but he definitely went on to greater things.