Django Unchained: 10 Reasons It's Awesome

9. Awesome Music

Tarantino is famed for using music that he loves and often music that he owns in his films, and why would we expect Django Unchained to be any different, just because it's a period western? Tarantino clearly doesn't give a damn about his soundtrack being anachronistic, and as a result, nor do we, especially when he's been so shrewd and careful to pick songs that clash in such a fantastic way. During one early moment as a rabble of Clansmen ride towards Schultz and Django's ride, Verdi's Requiem Dies Irae blares out, a triumphant tune that clashes with the savage, nasty brutality of these racist folk in an ironic manner reminiscent of Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange (and we're sure he was referencing Battle Royale by using this piece). From there, Tarantino also fields out rap music, and Johnny Cash's classic "Ain't No Grave", unquestionably the most fitting piece of music in the whole movie. Given that this is a revisionist western, it's all too telling that the soundtrack is similarly diverse and keen to mesh the old with the new.
Contributor
Contributor

Frequently sleep-deprived film addict and video game obsessive who spends more time than is healthy in darkened London screening rooms. Follow his twitter on @ShaunMunroFilm or e-mail him at shaneo632 [at] gmail.com.