I originally posted the following on Facebook:
Ever since Quentin Tarantino accepted his Best Screenplay Golden Globe for Once Upon a Time... In Hollywood, I haven't been able to put away a reference he made to John Milius being the screenwriter that inspired him to become one himself. John Milius is an American screenwriter and director probably most well-known for directing and co-writing the Arnold Schwarzenegger sword and sorcery epic, Conan the Barbarian (1982). Even as a fan of Tarantino, I hadn't read or seen an interview where he spoke of Milius in that light. But the more I thought about it*, the more it made absolute sense.
I know my random movie moment selections on Facebook are rather enigmatic and perhaps annoyingly so. Therefore, in the spirit of transparency and elucidation, I'd like to share two moments which highlight both Tarantino and Milius' powerful and shared preoccupation - with steel!
(From 1982's Conan the Barbarian) Conan's Father: For no one - no one in this world can you trust. Not men, not women, not beasts. *Points to sword* This you can trust.
(From 2003's Kill Bill: Volume I) Hattori Hanzo: I can tell you with no ego, this is my finest sword. If on your journey, you should encounter God. God will be cut.
*This post was partly inspired by a convo with my older brother Juan, who made Conan the Barbarian a staple of my movie-viewing youth.