Quentin Tarantino experienced his first flop with the (ironically titled) Death Proof. Originally paired with Robert Rodriguez's Planet Terror for mock 70s double-bill Grindhouse, this "slight, silly but often entertaining" chase thriller died a quick death in the States. It was re-cut for the UK, but still conked out at the box office.

On The Road

Tarantino gives us a potted history of the Hollywood car chase in The Hot Rods Of Death Proof. He admits to being "nervous" about whether or not he could pull off an entire chase movie, and in Stunts On Wheels, coordinator Jeff Dashnaw laughs at his initial plans. As he recalls it, QT ordered a full flip, roll and slide at 80mph that would stop just inches from the camera. Well, even if the drivers aren't that good, they're game for pretty much anything. A liberal helping of behind-the-scenes footage will have you gritting your teeth in horror.

Doubling for Kurt Russell was veteran driver Buddy Joe Hooker, but in another featurette the mulleted movie star repeatedly insists he himself is "very comfortable" behind the wheel. Tarantino explains why he's such a big fan of Russell and, in other casting featurettes, reveals why he often looks to old B-movies for actors. Even B-movie directors like Eli Roth get a shot at stardom. The man behind Hostel admits he's "been studying for 34 years" to play the part of "a dorky Jewish guy who can't get laid to save his life."

Bells & Whistles

Tarantino sometimes looks for a fresh face, Zoë Bell being a case in point. She's a real-life stuntwoman who doubled for Uma Thurman on Kill Bill, but as the director explains, getting Bell to play herself opened up all kinds of possibilities during the shoot. Most satisfying of all, he could zoom into close-up on her face as she clings to the hood of a car moving at breakneck speed.

Bell's co-star Mary Elizabeth Winstead also does a bit of impressive multi-skilling. A scene where she sings a version of The Shirelles' 'Baby, It's You' is presented in its full, uncut glory. But for Tarantino, the real star of the show is always his editor Sally Menke. He talks about their close working relationship in the final featurette, sadly we don't get to hear from the woman herself. In fact QT does most of the talking on this two-disc DVD, clocking up more miles per minute than a Ford Mustang. If you can stand the pace, this is worth a spin.

EXTRA FEATURES

Death Proof DVD is released on Monday 14th January 2008.