Movies

Samuel L. Jackson recites Ezekiel 25:17 speech from Pulp Fiction verbatim for 30th anniversary

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As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of cinema, I can confidently say that Pulp Fiction is one of those rare films that truly stands the test of time. Having watched it multiple times over the years, I’ve always been captivated by Tarantino’s unique storytelling style and the unforgettable performances from an ensemble cast that included the likes of Travolta, Jackson, Roth, and Thurman.

After over three decades, Samuel L. Jackson demonstrated that his skills are unchanged as he flawlessly delivered the memorable Ezekiel 25:17 monologue from Quentin Tarantino’s popular film Pulp Fiction.

To honor the 30-year anniversary of the acclaimed crime movie’s debut, the iconic actor posted a video where he reenacted his memorable dialogue from an intense interrogation scene, seated comfortably on a sofa.

‘Righteous individuals often face challenges from the unjust actions of the self-centered and oppressive behavior of wicked people,’ he immediately says at the start of the clip. ‘Lucky are those who, out of kindness and good intentions, guide the vulnerable through the dark times, for they are indeed their brother’s helpers and the discoverers of the lost.’

He continued, ‘And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger; those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee.’

‘YOU KNOW I STILL GOT IT!!! EZEKIEL 25:17 HAPPY 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF PULP FICTION,’ Jackson, 75, captioned the post. 

Essentially, Jackson’s character Jules Winnfield employs the made-up Bible passage Ezekiel 25:17 to rationalize his aggressive behavior as a means of enforcing justice on those who merit retribution.

A post shared by Samuel L Jackson (@samuelljackson)

Indeed, throughout the movie, Jules repeatedly quotes Ezekiel 25:17. In this film, Jules and his criminal partner, Vincent Vega, portrayed by John Travolta, are under the employ of Marsellus Wallace, played by Ving Rhames.

In the opening scene of the movie, Jules and Vincent are dispatched to eliminate Brett (played by Frank Whaley), who resides in a modest flat with three other individuals. One of them is concealed within the bathroom at the time.

Jules inquiries, ‘Do you ever read the Bible?’ as he stands there in a black suit and tie, with his target seated on a chair. He then shares a passage that seems fitting for the moment: Ezekiel 25:17. With each word, his speech grows louder and more intense until he completes it, at which point he fatally shoots Brett.

The speech is often considered one of the best monologues in cinema.

In the movie, the constant repetition of a particular verse underscores Jules’ inner turmoil, as he gradually doubts his violent ways and ultimately chooses to abandon them.

Jules recites the speech one last time near the end of the story when he’s at the diner with his ‘glowing suitcase’  and Vincent is relieving himself in the restroom.

Ringo/Pumpkin (portrayed by Tim Roth) and Yolanda/Honey Bunny (played by Amanda Plummer) have recently executed a heist on the diners’ patrons, including Vincent and Jules.

However, this time Jules decided it was time to leave behind his criminal lifestyle, but first, he needed to hand over the suitcase to Mr. Wallace. Therefore, he let the couple keep all the money, but made sure they didn’t get their hands on his suitcase.

Eventually, Ringo and Yolanda departed, carrying all the customers’ cash and wallets, which included Jules. Meanwhile, they left Vincent holding a suitcase as the movie’s credits rolled down the screen.

Under the direction and screenplay of Tarantino, who co-created the story with Roger Avary, this crime movie unfolds as a series of four narratives that explore criminal activities and brutality within the city of Los Angeles.

1994 Cannes Film Festival saw it emerge victorious with the Palme d’Or, and it became both a critical and financial triumph, earning an impressive $213.9 million globally while only requiring a budget of around $8-$8.5 million.

Joining Roth, Plummer, Jackson, and Travolta, who significantly contributed to the revival of their careers following its success, the cast features Uma Thurman, Harvey Keitel, Maria de Medeiros, Ving Rhames, Eric Stoltz, Rosanna Arquette, Christopher Walken, and Bruce Willis.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but proudly highlight one of my favorite films – Pulp Fiction – which earned Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez an Academy Award for their exceptional screenwriting efforts in the ‘Best Screenplay – Written Directly For The Screen’ category. This cinematic masterpiece also garnered six other prestigious nominations, including ‘Best Picture’, ‘Best Director’, ‘Best Actor’ for Travolta, and ‘Best Supporting Actor’ for Jackson.

The title refers to the pulp magazines and hardboiled crime novels popular during the mid-20th century, known for their graphic violence and punchy dialogue.

Pulp Fiction, a film directed by Quentin Tarantino, is often considered his masterpiece. This movie has been chosen to be preserved in the National Film Registry of the United States Library of Congress due to its cultural, historical, or artistic importance.

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2024-10-15 10:37

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