Quentin Tarantino: Definitive Guide To Homages, Influences And References

3. Mexican Stand-Offs

Tarantino's adoration for the Mexican stand-off (in which three "participants" end up facing-off against each other) likely derives from his favourite ever film, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, in which he called the final stand-off between Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach "the single greatest moment in cinematic history." Mexican stand-offs can be glimpsed in Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction (and also in the Tarantino-penned True Romance to much bloodier effect), whilst two characters in Inglourious Basterds discuss the term "Mexican stand-off." And of course, The Hateful Eight is basically one big Mexican stand-off. With an actual Mexican in it.