The quirky, strange and utterly sagacious meditations of David Caradine written during the making of Quentin Tarantino's contemporary classic in which Carradine played the lead role. When Carradine landed the lead role in Quentin Tarantino's new film, Kill Bill, it catapulted him into the Hollywood limelight.This journal captures his experience of being courted by Tarantino for the role of Bill and the subsequent two years spent making the two-part feature film with co-star Uma Thurman, nominated for a Best Actress Golden Globe. In its mixture of autobiography and behind-the-scenes diary, "The Kill Bill Diary" takes the reader on a fascinating and witty journey into the world of film-making and the art of an acclaimed director. Along the way Carradine describes the martial arts training required for the role, the experience of filming in China, working with Tarantino and falling in love with Uma Thurman while 'swinging a steel-tempered Samurai sword at her head'. In describing the pre-production, production and promoting of the film, Carradine gives readers a rare and wholly authentic insight into the creation of a Hollywood blockbuster and the experience of a screen legend.

Review

"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." Publishers Weekly

Author Biography

David Carradine is a screen legend. He has starred in over 100 feature films, a couple of dozen television movies and a range of theatre work. He received critical acclaim for his role in Quentin Tarantino's Kung Fu and played the eopnymous lead role in Tarantino's hit films Kill Bill.