
Quentin Tarantino admires directors like Sergio Leone, but there’s one classic filmmaker he strongly dislikes. Many would guess he’d appreciate John Ford, director of iconic films like The Searchers and Stagecoach, but that’s far from the truth.
In an interview with Henry Louis Gates, Tarantino explained that he considers Ford’s work to be overhyped, even stating, “To say the least, I hate him.” His issue with Ford stems from the director’s depiction of Native Americans and the overall message of his films.
Tarantino specifically criticized how Ford’s movies portrayed Native Americans as nameless and disposable, essentially treating them like zombies. He believes these older films promoted a limited and biased view of who was considered important. He also dismissed Ford’s celebrated visual style, claiming he’s always thought it was overrated.