Aside from the theatre marquees, Hollywood landmarks, and throwback fashion, Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood features an absurd amount of cars, all of which are meant to capture the period feel of Los Angeles in 1969, according to the film’s picture car coordinator Steven Butcher. But did you know that the production used a replica of the Manson family car instead?
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’s car coordinator could locate the exact 1959 Ford driven by the Manson Family, but a replica was used instead because the idea of having the real Manson car was considered too creepy.
What is the Movie All about?
It’s a Pulp Fiction-style film set in late 1960s Hollywood and divided into thematic chapters. At CinemaCon, director Quentin Tarantino stated that it is probably the closest to Pulp Fiction that I have done. Tarantino has been working on the script for a half-decade and hopes to show a side of LA and Hollywood that has largely gone unnoticed. Though largely fictional, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood incorporates real people and uses the Charles Manson murders as a backdrop.
I’ve been working on this script for five years, as well as living in Los Angeles County most of my life, including in 1969, when I was 7 years old. I’m very excited to tell this story of an LA and a Hollywood that don’t exist anymore. And I couldn’t be happier about the dynamic teaming of DiCaprio and Pitt as Rick and Cliff.
Quentin Tarantino, Filmmaker
“A story that takes place in Los Angeles in 1969, at the height of hippy Hollywood,” Tarantino said of the film. “The two lead characters are Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), former star of a Western TV series, and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). Both struggle to make it in a Hollywood they don’t recognize anymore. But Rick has a very famous next-door neighbor, Sharon Tate.” (Source: History versus Hollywood)
Are Brad Pitt and Leo’s Roles Based on Real People?
No. Both aging actor Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) are fictional characters in the film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. On the other hand, Dalton lives next door to thriving actress Sharon Tate (Margot Robbie), based on the real-life Hollywood star murdered on August 9, 1969, by members of the Manson Family. She thrives in 1969’s free-spirited Hollywood in the film, while Tinseltown has left the washed-up Dalton yearning for the place he once knew. (Source: History versus Hollywood)
Sharon Tate’s Family Take on the Movie
The inclusion of Sharon Tate, played by Margot Robbie, and her tragic death at the hands of Charles Manson’s followers is one aspect of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood that is loosely based on a true story. In 1969, the year Quentin Tarantino’s film is set, the late actress was stabbed to death by members of the Manson Family.
Quentin Tarantino and Margot Robbie revealed to the Today Show just before the film’s release that they had received a blessing from Sharon Tate’s sister, Debra Tate. Robbie stated that Debra loaned them some of Sharon’s jewelry as well as a used bottle of perfume for her to wear in the film. Tarantino had contacted Debra after completing the script. (Source: History versus Hollywood)