Django Unchained research

• What is a western?

A film, television drama, or novel about cowboys in western North America, set especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

•  What is a spaghetti western?

A western film made cheaply in Europe by an Italian director

• What is a blaxploitation film?

Action films that were aimed at black audiences. Featuring African-American actors in lead roles and often having anti-establishment plots, the films were frequently condemned for stereotypical characterization and glorification of violence.

• Which THREE films does Django Unchained take its name from?

Django (1966)
Hercules Unchained (1959)

• Why does Franco Nero appear in the film and what is the significance of his dialogue with Jamie Foxx?

The lead actor from Django (1966), the movie which inspired this one, has a cameo as the owner of the slave that fights against a slave owned by the character played by DiCaprio (the screenplay gives his character the name Amerigo Vassepi). After being asked to spell his name, Django explains, "The 'D' is silent". Nero replies, "I know".
This links to the original film Django (1966) in which Franco Nero played Django.

• What song plays over the final credits and how does this film connect to the original film Django?

Django, the original theme song from the original film Django (1966)

• Which other song from Django features in Django Unchained?

La Corsa

• Who or what is Mr Ed?

A horse that was able to move its mouth to show that it was talking.

• What is the significance of the red mask worn by Zoe Bell as Django murders the killers of d’Artagnan?

There was intended to be more storyline behind her character but this was never included in the film.
"Yes and there was a little sneaky secret under the mask," Zoë explained when asked if she was ever intended to be unmasked. "Part of my face was missing."

• The name of the saloon in which Schultz and Django drink is called Minnesota Clay, why?

When Django and Dr. Schultz are in Daughtrey, Texas (near the beginning of the film), the saloon they are in is called "Minnesota Clay's Saloon". Minnesota Clay (1964) is the name of Western film directed by Sergio Corbucci, the same director of the original Django (1966).

• Who is Ennio Morricone?

An Italian composer, conductor and orchestrator who has worked with Tarantino on a number of films.

• What connects him to both Django Unchained and director Sergio Corbucci?

Ennio Morricone wrote music for both adaptions of the film, Django (1996) and Django Unchained

• What sequence has made the 1903 film "The Great Train Robbery" so iconic?

One of the wanted posters calls for the apprehension of Edwin Porter for train robbery. Edwin Porter was the filmmaker who directed The Great Train Robbery.

• What is the significance of the name Von Shaft?

Broomhilda's last name is von Shaft - a direct ancestor of the 1970's blaxploitation character Shaft, according to Tarantino. Samuel L. Jackson, from this film, also starred in the 2000 remake of the film.

• What TV western does Django's western style outfit pay homage to?

Bonanza! (1957) 
In the screenplay, Tarantino describes one of Django's outfits as a little like Elvis in Flaming Star and Little Joe Cartwrigth from Bonanza.