Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino from a story he co-developed with Roger Avery, this is among the most famous films of all time. Many scenes, quotes, images, and characters fromPulp Fiction(1994) have become synonymous with the medium itself. And among the more fan-favorite sequences in this critical darling would be the apartment scene toward the beginning of the film.
Starring Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta, Uma Thurman, and Bruce Willis, its plot follows three interconnected storylines that play out through a nonlinear narrative. And one of the primary plots features two hitmen named Jules Winnfield and Vincent Vega who enter an apartment early in the film. Up to this point, these characters had only been discussing hamburgers and foot massages. Their goal within this apartment is unknown to the audience as they knock on the door and enter.
Setting the Scene in the Apartment
They arrive to visit Brett, a former business partner of their boss Marsellus Wallace — portrayed by Ving Rhames. And as the hitmen are there to kill the occupants and retrieve a briefcase that belongs to Marsellus, the scene results in aestheticized sequences of violence and indelible lines of dialogue. Many famous quotes are uttered, like “Thisisa tasty burger!” and “Do they speak English in What?”
Perhaps the most famous line of dialogue from this apartment sequence would be the bible verse recited by Jules as an intimidation tactic,almost like a calling cardbefore shooting his target dead. But of course, this version Ezekiel 25:17 isn’t taken verbatim from the bible. In fact, Tarantino actually took the exchange from the opening scrawl of a Japanese martial-arts film calledKarate Kiba(1973), starring Sonny Chiba in the titular role.
Sure, he changed a few words and intonations from the original narration inKiba. But for the most part, the scene film fans adore today wouldn’t exist without that stint from Japan. And even if you don’t recognize the title of that specific project, you could very well know the name of Sonny Chiba, the aforementioned star in the eponymous role.
What is Karate Kiba?
A legendary Japanese actor who was most prominently active throughout the seventies and eighties, Sonny Chiba showed up in scores of martial arts projects in his career. He became known as a primary progenitor of the subgenre by film fans across the world, with several renowned titles under his belt as an actor such asThe Street Fighter(1974). That particular title truly introduced Chiba to western audiences, and helped spark a massive wave of influence on one Hollywood creative in particular: Quentin Tarantino.
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Christian Slater’s protagonist inTrue Romance(1993) — though directed by Tony Scott, it was penned by Tarantino — is obsessed withmartial arts movies. Specifically, he enjoys the cinema of Sonny Chiba, and in an early scene in the cat-and-mouse crime film, he takes his newfound love interest Alabama to see a triple Chiba feature in theaters.
But by far and away, the most notable example of Chiba’s legacy in western cinema would be his supporting appearances in bothKill Bill: Volume 1(2003) and its immediate follow-upKill Bill: Volume 2(2004). Of course, he plays the renowned sword smith named Hattori Hanzō, with many film fans citing it as their favorite Chiba role in general. But his work inKarate Kibawas perhaps the most influential, as its opening scrawl inspired the scene at hand that’s nearly as legendary asPulp Fictionitself.
The Legacy of Ezekiel 25:17
This is arguably the single scene that garnered Jackson critical attention. He picked up a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards thanks to his efforts as Jules, and the performance itself goes down as the definitive role of his career. Of course, that can’t be attributed solely to his recitation of Ezekiel 25:17. But his pitch-perfect delivery thereof only bolstered his chances at acclaim. And since the release ofPulp Fiction, the fictional passagefrom the biblehas been referenced ad nauseam.
It’s been outright quoted in films such asNeighbors(2014) with Seth Rogen and Zac Effron, where a character recites the beginning of the speech verbatim before being cut off. Although, without a doubt the most notable homage paid to the Ezekiel speech would be fromCaptain America: The Winter Soldier(2014), a movie in the MCU that was coincidentally released in the same year as the aforementioned Rogen comedy.
Related:Pulp Fiction: What Exactly Was in the Briefcase?
Samuel L. Jackson has portrayed Nick Fury several times in the franchise, but inThe Winter Soldier, his character is presumed to be dead. Alas, Fury is alive, and he visits his actual gravestone, which reads: “The path of the righteous man… Ezekial 25:17”. A pretty overt reference, and one that resonated with fans of the MCU and the Tarantinoverse alike.
Of course, there is a legitimate verse in the bible titled Ezekial 25:17. It reads, “And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.” Fans ofPulp Fictioncan likely recall each resemblance in the two passages, withKarate Kibafeaturing a more unique take entirely. For those who want to know the true source of inspiration for Winnfield’s famous speech, check out the filmography of Sonny Chiba.
