‘Pulp Fiction’ is much more than just its famous lines and dance scenes. The film started with ideas that Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary built upon, eventually creating three interconnected stories. Despite being made with a small budget, it became a huge success. Understanding how it was written, filmed, released, and how its props and music relate to Tarantino’s other work reveals a deeper appreciation for the film.
The script was built as three interlocking stories
‘Pulp Fiction’ isn’t told in a straight line. Quentin Tarantino built the movie around three interconnected stories—following hitmen Vincent and Jules, boxer Butch Coolidge, and a diner robbery—and shuffled the scenes around in time. Tarantino and Roger Avary intentionally created echoes between these stories, showing events from different perspectives. The film uses title cards to mark these shifts, and everything comes together in the final scene.
It won the Palme d’Or before its wide release
‘Pulp Fiction’ first gained recognition at the Cannes Film Festival in May 1994, where it won the prestigious Palme d’Or award. This happened several months before the film’s general release in the US, and immediately drew significant interest from cinemas globally. The award also made ‘Pulp Fiction’ a central focus for Miramax during the 1994 awards season.
A small budget turned into massive global earnings
The movie cost around eight million dollars to make, but it went on to earn over two hundred million dollars around the world. It quickly became one of the most successful independent films of the 1990s, changing what people expected from American independent movie releases at that time.
The famous Bible passage was rewritten for the movie
Jules delivers a modified version of Ezekiel 25:17 that isn’t found in typical Bible translations. He combines a few lines from scripture with references to pop culture. Tarantino adapted the text specifically for Jules and the situation in the film, and the lines appear twice with slightly different meanings.
The adrenaline needle shot was filmed in reverse
In the scene where Mia receives an adrenaline shot, the needle never actually pierced her skin. John Travolta simply touched the needle to her arm, then pulled it away while filming. Editors then reversed the footage, creating the illusion of an injection. This technique kept both actors safe while still looking realistic on screen.
Jack Rabbit Slim’s was a custom built set
The diner where Vincent and Mia share a meal in the film wasn’t an actual restaurant. It was specially constructed on a soundstage by the production team, giving them complete control over the lighting, how the actors moved, and the camera angles. The set was detailed, featuring functional booths, a dance floor, and tables shaped like cars. This allowed the filmmakers to shoot extended scenes without disrupting a working business.
The glowing briefcase used as simple practical trick
The briefcase appears to glow because a light is placed inside it. When the case is opened, the light shines brightly towards the camera and illuminates the actors’ faces. This, combined with how the scene was filmed, gives it a unique, almost supernatural appearance. Viewers can briefly see the combination to the briefcase lock – it’s 666 – when Vincent opens it.
Red Apple cigarettes and Big Kahuna Burger connect the Tarantino universe
Vincent often smokes Red Apple cigarettes, and Brett enjoys burgers from Big Kahuna Burger. Both are made-up brands that appear throughout Quentin Tarantino’s films, even featuring in commercials within those movie worlds. By repeatedly including these brands, Tarantino connects characters and locations across different stories, creating a sense of a shared universe. They’ve become a quick way for viewers to recognize this interconnectedness.
Vincent Vega is tied to Vic Vega from ‘Reservoir Dogs’
In Quentin Tarantino’s films, John Travolta’s character, Vincent Vega, and Michael Madsen’s Vic Vega are established as brothers. Tarantino once planned a prequel movie that would have shown the two characters together, but the project never happened. Despite this, the films hint at their relationship through shared names and details about their past.
The soundtrack revived surf instrumentals and earned major sales
The film features a lot of surf rock and instrumental music, with songs by artists like Dick Dale and The Lively Ones. The movie’s soundtrack was a huge success in the US, selling over a million copies and earning a platinum certification. The film also helped bring some of these songs back onto the radio and introduced them to a new audience.
Share your favorite lesser known ‘Pulp Fiction’ detail in the comments and tell us what we missed.
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2025-10-24 00:15