Pulp Fiction
The Soundtrack and Other Stuff


by Alan Graham


The intriguing and explosive script of Pulp Fiction is one possible reason for its phenomenal success in the last few years, but it could also be said that Tarantino's choice of music is reason enough to love the film.

Due to this MCA released the soundtrack some time ago, with all the songs of the film, and some script extracts as well. These include the complete "Ezekiel 25:17" exerpt (with gunshots and Brett's scream), and the "Royale with cheese" scene. There is also short introductions to many of the songs, such as the compere at the "Jack Rabbit Slims Twist Contest" leading on to Chuck Berry's "You never can tell".

Even the little ditty that is on Bruce Willis's radio is present, although it is really a love-it-or-hate-it tune.

This can be said about most of the CD: If you have a wide taste in music and like most 60's and 70's stuff, then I cannot recommend this more. However, if you believe that the Spice Girls are the best group in the world, or refuse to listen to anything but Oasis, then stay away. I will let you decide which group I fall into.

Anyway, here is a quick run-down of the tunes:



Excerpt: Pumpkin & Honey Bunny (Restaurant Robbery)
Followed By: "Misirlou", the theme tune.

Excerpt: "Royale & Cheese"

"Jungle Boogie" by Kool & The Gang

"Let's Stay Together" by Al Green

"Bustin' Surfboards" by The Tornadoes

"Lonesome Town" by Ricky Nelson

"Son of a Preacher Man" by Dusty Springfield

Excerpt: "Zed's dead, Baby" (Bruce Willis with Chopper)
Followed By: "Bullwinkle Part II" by The Centurians

Excerpt: "Jack Rabbit Slims Twist Contest" (Mia & Vincent twisting at 60s club)
Followed By: "You never can tell" by Chuck Berry

"Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon" by Urge Overkill

"If Love Is A Red Dress (Hang Me In Rags)" by Maria McKee

Excerpt: "Bring out the Gimp" (Unmentionably sick torture scene)
Followed By: "Comanche" by The Revels

"Flowers On The Wall" by The Statler Brothers

Excerpt: "Personality Goes A Long Way" (Vincent and Jules contemplate eating dogs)

"Surf Rider" by The Lively Ones

Excerpt: "Ezekiel 25:17" (Need I say more)



I could not give a true favourite, although I dislike many of the first few tracks. The CD lasts over 40 minutes, and should not cost more than a tenner.

This is a bit odd, but never mind!!

Pulp Fiction Soundtrack
GraphicsNice Cover - 85%
SoundCD Quality! - 95%
PlayabilitySome bad tracks - 83%
AddictivenessI "play" it all the time - 95%

Overall -91%


To round off, here is a list of some clever parts of the script, that I can remember (I am recalling all this, so do not blame me for errors).



Although both occurences of the restaurant robbery were meant to be the same, Honey Bunny shouts different warnings in each one.

Apparently, you can see Vincent going to the toilet in the first robbery.

The code to Brett's briefcase (technically Marcellus Wallace's briefcase) was 666, and many people have said that the case contained Marcellus's soul and that this is the reason for the Elastoplast on the back of his neck....

.....the "real" reason being that the actor that played Marcellus had a scar there, and Tarantino had to disguise it somehow.

Another rumour over the case contents was that it was an Oscar for Mia, that had been arranged to cheer her up, due to her show not being aired - this is due to the gold glow from the case.

When Mia gets her adrenaline shot, there are games such as "Operation" and "Game of Life" in the background.

When Vincent reaches Mia's house, he is told by Mia to go to the intercom in the wall to talk, but she had already heard what he said in the middle of the living room, so why did he need to go to the intercom?

In Reservoir Dogs, the diamonds were to be fenced by a guy called "Marsellus", "Mr. Wallace" or something similar. Also, a Vic (Vincent) Vega was mentioned, but I cannot remember where.

There is supposedly a similar reference in From Dusk Till Dawn, but I cannot remember any more, or where I heard it from. If any readers do know the reference, please write in.


Alan Graham
agraham@cs.strath.ac.uk


[Hmm - I never intended the review categories to be used for all sorts of diverse products, but there you are... - Mark]