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The Kill Bill Diary: The Making of a Tarantino Classic as Seen Through the Eyes of a Screen Legend Kindle Edition

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 103 ratings

David Carradine is Bill—the complex, charismatic master assassin from the critically acclaimed, monstrously successful Kill Bill films. Throughout the filming of Quentin Tarantino's brilliant, violent epic, Carradine kept a daily diary—capturing all the action, the genius, the madness, and the magic that combined to make a masterpiece. More than simply an insider's close-up look at the filmmaking process and the astonishing cast and crew—director Tarantino, star Uma Thurman, and all the other artists whose extraordinary skills helped create something glorious—The Kill Bill Diary illuminates the fine points of the serious actor's craft, as a truly unique talent takes us along with him on a quirky, breathtaking, no-holds-barred, and altogether miraculous journey. It is a must-own volume for anyone who loves the movies.

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This journal captures the two years Carradine spent making the two-part feature film Kill Bill with director Quentin Tarantino. As he describes the pre-production, production and promoting of the film, Carradine, who is best known for TV's Kung Fu, gives readers a glimpse into the up-and-down life of a B-list actor. Excited about landing the role of Bill, once ticketed for Warren Beatty, Carradine is simultaneously nervous about canceling the autograph conventions on which he pretty much supports himself. Along with subtly pointing out that he has worked with Martin Scorsese and won a Golden Globe, Carradine also knows that a Tarantino movie is his best shot at stardom, and it's that eternal hope, not his résumé, that pervades the book and makes him a narrator for whom readers will feel genuine affection. Along with laying bare his personal deliberations, Carradine also provides an informative exploration of the world of filmmaking, from what it takes to shoot in China to how many (soon to be bloodied) shirts you need for a fight scene. It's apparent that one of Carradine's longest-running love affairs, however tempestuous it might be, is with Hollywood. And for those who share that feeling, this book will remind them why, for better or for worse, they feel that way. Photos. (Nov.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Distilled from the diary that Carradine kept during the making of Kill Bill, the film that catapulted him back into the limelight, this book certainly won't satisfy readers looking for dirt or even innuendo about the film's director, Quentin Tarantino. Carradine is an unabashed Tarantino fan, and in this mixture of autobiography, biography, and behind-the-scenes account, the director emerges as a rare and enigmatic talent and a true film genius. Despite the book's diary format, it is surprisingly fluid and graceful; Carradine is a stylish and witty writer. Fans of behind-the-scenes books may be a tad disappointed in this one's lack of technical details--Carradine doesn't spend a lot of time discussing cameras, special effects, and the like--but readers interested in the people who make movies, rather than the moviemaking itself, will be well pleased. Like Tarrantino, Carradine has always had a reputation for being enigmatic, but here he comes off both humble and remarkably multifaceted. Give this one a chance; it will surprise you. David Pitt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B005AJSQR0
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper Paperbacks (August 30, 2011)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 30, 2011
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.5 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 348 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 103 ratings

About the author

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David Carradine
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David Carradine’s lengthy career endeavors span nearly five decades with more than 200 credits in film, television, and theater. As an actor, film director, martial artist, spokesman, artist, writer, and musician, Carradine was most recognized for his legendary role as Kwai Chang Caine, whom he portrayed for three seasons in the television series Kung Fu (1972-1975) and its later series Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (1993-1997). Carradine’s inherent Zen-like quality and dancer’s agility gave him iconoclastic status as a Shaolin monk and he introduced many viewers to Asian marital arts and Chinese Philosophy. He later acquired a revived notoriety for his role in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill sagas.

Early Years

David Carradine was born as John Arthur Carradine on December 8, 1936 in Hollywood, California. He went to school at San Francisco State College, where he studied music theory and composition. Carradine followed his father John, who was a star during the golden era of Hollywood, into the family business after discovering his own passion for acting. He then joined a Shakespearean repertory company and started to learn the craft.

After heading to the army for two years, Carradine found work as a commercial artist in New York and later appeared in two Broadway hits The Deputy and The Royal Hunt of the Sun. Accumulating more acting experience, he returned home to Hollywood and landed a role in Kung Fu. This wise career move catapulted him into the public eye for years to come. In his professional career spanning 46 years, Carradine appeared in 200 films, 27 television movies, 32 plays, 35+ guest appearances and 3 television series.

Writer

Carradine was impelled to write about the true nature of the martial arts by his Kung Fu Master Kam Yuen. He wrote and published “The Spirit of Shaolin” in 1991. This book is a heartfelt account of a complex man’s journey into the martial arts as a way of life. Carradine’s genuinely sincere convictions are expressed through an exploration into personal change and growth. His perspective of many traditional teachings is exceptionally uncommon and surprisingly enlightening.

In 1995 Carradine published his autobiography, “Endless Highway”. He said that this took him 8 years to write. This book is an absolutely intriguing and brutally honest portrayal of Carradine’s life and career. In it, he unflinchingly recounts the highs and lows of his life in show business.

Carradine’s, “The Kill Bill Diary: The making of a Tarantino Classic as Seen Through the Eyes of a Screen Legend” was published in 2006. This book captures all the magic of the widely acclaimed Kill Bill films. The actor’s journal takes a close-up look at the filmmaking process and the amazing cast and crew.

He also co-wrote a couple of books with his longtime friend, David Nakahara, entitled, “David Carradine's Tai Chi Workout: The Beginner's Program for a Healthier Mind and Body” as well as “David Carradine's Introduction to Chi Kung: The Beginner's Program For Physical, Emotional, And Spiritual Well-Being.”

Directing Career

Carradine initially made his directorial debut on three episodes of Kung Fu. During the Kung Fu series, he tried his hand at directing some independent projects of his own. Americana (1983), which took ten years to complete due to financing difficulties. The film featured Carradine in the starring role and several of his friends and family members in supporting roles. It won the People's Choice Award at the Director's Fortnight at Cannes , but failed to achieve critical support and distribution. In addition, he directed You and Me (1972) starring his brothers Robert and Keith, and two unreleased productions: Mata Hari (1978), an epic that starred his daughter, Calista, and a feature length musical called A Country Mile.

Martial Artist

After his stints in the Kung Fu series, Carradine became an avid practitioner of martial arts.

Carradine's portrayal of a Shaolin monk skilled in Kung Fu was so convincingly realistic that it is difficult to believe that he wasn't born a Zen Buddhist. He truly mastered the marital virtues of discipline, restraint, respect, and humility. His mastery of these attributions become his philosophy and reflected spiritual lifestyle.

He later starred in several exercise videos teaching the martial arts of Tai qi and Qi Gong. He was also interested in oriental herbs and philosophy and wrote a personal memoir called Spirit of Shaolin.

Artist

Carradine was a contemporary “Renaissance Man,” he possessed an inborn talent for creativity and became an accomplished artist and sculptor. His artwork was comparable to the proficiency and accomplishments of an expert. As an omnivorous reader of art history, he was influenced by numerous great artists and he mastered a variety of styles and techniques.

In spite of his self-described "color confusion," Carradine actively engaged in artistic endeavors. Truly an innovative "Master of the Arts," he became adept in many aesthetic disciplines: drawing, computer graphics, acting, dancing, writing, filmmaking, photography, and music. Several times throughout his life, Carradine was approached by gallery owners and museums that wanted to display his masterpieces; however, he modestly declined their offers due to his perpetual evolving and perfectionism as an artist.

Music Career

In his early years, Carradine studied musical theory and composition at San Francisco State College. Later on in his life he started writing and composing his music. To date, he has written and recorded over 60 original tunes, including the score for the movie Mata Hari.

A proven talent on the piano, and equally adept with guitar, flute, clarinet, saxophone, drums and the sitar, his musical talents were often integrated into his screen performances.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
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Customers say

Customers find the book readable with good prose and an engaging story. They appreciate the insightful look into the making of a movie, with interesting anecdotes. The book provides valuable information about the movie business and the process.

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14 customers mention "Readability"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read with good prose and narration. They describe it as refreshing and a nice keepsake to memorialize the author. The book is described as light and not expensive.

"...would imagine speaking to Carradine himself would be easy going laid back commentary that never strays from a particular day as the book is laid out..." Read more

"...An easy read, and a nice keepsake to memorialize the man who has since passed. I'm glad Tarantino gave him one last chance to shine." Read more

"...Fan's of film and especially Tarantino, should find it to be a very entertaining read." Read more

"Came in perfect condition and it'll be a great coffee table book. I'm only slightly obsessed with Kill Bill so it just makes sense lol" Read more

8 customers mention "Insight"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's insights into the making of a movie. They find it educational and warm, with great anecdotes. Readers also learn about the movie business from the detailed study of the films and Carradine's role in them. The prose is good and Carradine can certainly tell a story.

"...for those who have never seen Tarantino's movies it is a wonderful, insightful, and thought provoking read...." Read more

"...as the title character in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill is a fascinating and honest look at the process of movie making...." Read more

"...The prose is good, and Carradine can certainly tell a story. However, it's not a patch on Peter Bogdanovich's Pieces of Time or John Ford...." Read more

"A great and educational book (but no with that pourpuse), works for me because i am a teacher in Media, cinematography and video workshop...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2006
    Actor David Carradine who plays the lead character in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill has written a detailed, skillfull, highly involved study of those films and his role in them. Reading the pages is like what I would imagine speaking to Carradine himself would be easy going laid back commentary that never strays from a particular day as the book is laid out in sequence from his first meeting with Quentin to that final premier. What a superb job Carradine has accomplished! I finished the book in two sittings, and now am reading it again it is that good! For those who loved the two films, and also for those who have never seen Tarantino's movies it is a wonderful, insightful, and thought provoking read. David Carradine the actor, martial arts expert, musician, television and film star can add one more credit to his life that of a very excellent author!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2014
    I LOVE the "Kill Bill" movies, and had always wondered what it was like for the actors to breathe life into their characters via Tarantino's manic (and brilliant) direction. I enjoyed Carradine's subjective perspective, and have a better understanding now of how day-to-day events unfold on a basic shoot. This movie was pretty complex, requiring months of grueling martial arts training, shooting on multiple continents, and a HUGE cast of characters that needed to be molded into a cohesive tale, and Tarantino apparently inspires enough trust and loves his actors enough to make them voluntarily submit to pretty much any wild thing that pops into his head. Carradine's role, ironically, is relatively small (considering the movie is named after his character), but he was inspired by his conspiratorial relationship with Tarantino in such a way that his presence eventually loomed large, although he was little more than a few hand images and voice overs in Part 1.

    I confess to being mildly disappointed in not having more technical detail about the shoot: Carradine mostly relates stories about his personal relationships with his fellow actors, and includes multiple personal anecdotes about his wife, Annie, as well as a widely cast net of Hollywood "Players." All well and good, as the title states the focus will be the experience through David's eyes, but I now hope I'll find other interviews and/or books featuring Uma, Sonny Chiba, Daryl Hannah, Michael Madsen, and others who can add to David's story and provide unique insights of their own.

    An easy read, and a nice keepsake to memorialize the man who has since passed. I'm glad Tarantino gave him one last chance to shine.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2008
    Carradine's candid detailing of the daily grind of starring as the title character in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill is a fascinating and honest look at the process of movie making.

    As a filmmaker myself, one of the things I most enjoy is the bond formed between cast and crew. When thing's are going well, being on set is like being a part of a secret club that the audience rarely gets to be a part of. This book puts the reader onto the set to see all the pain and passion that goes into creating art.

    Like Robert Rodriuguez's "Rebel Without a Crew" before it, this book should be a filmmaker's Bible for what to do and what not to do. Fan's of film and especially Tarantino, should find it to be a very entertaining read.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2016
    In early 1982 … I had a not-so-nice (as I called it in the past, ‘My unconscionable close encounter with Mr. David Carradine’) ... make that the late Mr. David Carradine as he passed away in June of 2009.

    It was in Las Vegas at the annual ‘ShoWest Convention’ (where much of the movie industry’s biggest to the smallest Exhibitors, Distributors & Studios meet yearly) — and Mr. Carradine was there at the MGM Grand, selling an indie film that he wrote, directed, produced & starred in entitled, ‘AMERICANA’ …

    Once this thing, ever so briefly happened, my ever so minuscule, TINY EEEEE-go (I was in my early 20’s) was bruised. It was one of those, ‘How dare he … etc.’ events.

    … and full disclosure, I hung onto that ouch for years. Decades, in fact.

    CUT TO: Earlier this year (2015) — I got a hold of his book, ‘KILL BILL DIARY’ and in it —

    — he details how for too-too many years, he was a practicing alcoholic and how it & he did too much harm as a result of the booze to his family & friendships, his marriages and his career.

    Now, coming from some of my own family members who’ve been dry (at this writing) for over four decades and members of A.A., I should have recognized that behavior back then — (especially, after our brief and the above term ‘close encounter’ does apply) … as he was headed for one of the bars on the main floor of the MGM Grand.

    So, for well over a decade, Mr. Carradine was ‘dry’ … and he wasn’t like the drinking Mr. Carradine.

    I came to re-consider his rudeness to myself and his at times unconscionable behavior(s) on and off the set(s) were fueled by that devil rum, so to speak.

    In short, if you can read this somewhere in the great beyond, David C., I do forgive you for our not so nice meeting that Winter’s day oh so long ago in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada. Rest well, you most certainly earned it.

    D.A.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!
    Reviewed in Canada on November 12, 2017
    As someone who grew up watching Kwai Chang Caine on TV I had a love hate relationship with David Carradine. I loved his quiet humble character that he portrayed but much to my chagrin, to hear that he was a heavy drinking braggert who took the coveted spot from Bruce Lee, how could my opinion of him not change? His Kill Bill Diaries have now again allowed me to reassess my outlook towards him. So well written and philosophical with such a positive and "big picture" look at life, how can I not like and respect his viewpoint. Certainly an ode to Quentin and Uma, he doesn't pull any punches either and calls things as he sees them. Well done and much deserved respect!
  • s evans
    5.0 out of 5 stars David Carradine pulls back the curtain
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 15, 2018
    A great BTS view of the filming process of the two Kill Bill films
  • Norman E.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Man hört praktisch seine Stimme beim Lesen.
    Reviewed in Germany on August 15, 2017
    Das Buch ist ein frivoler Tagebuchbericht, der bei Weitem mehr ins Detail gehen könnte.
    Für Fans von Tarantino, Carradine, dem alten Hollywood und dem alten-alten ist das Kill-Bill-Tagebuch dennoch ein lesenwertes Sammelobjekt.

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