Quentin Tarantino’s movie “Django Unchained” is a tribute to the spaghetti western genre, but it has sparked both praise and criticism for its unique take on American history. While the film is largely fictional, the main character, Django, shares some fascinating similarities with real Black heroes from the Wild West. Let’s dive into the true stories that inspired Django’s character. Get ready for an exciting journey through history!
“Django Unchained” tells the story of a former slave who becomes a bounty hunter to rescue his wife. Although western movies often focus on white settlers and cowboys, Django’s character is inspired by real African Americans who rose above slavery to make their mark in the pre-Civil War United States. One of the most significant influences on Django’s character is Bass Reeves, the first Black deputy marshal in Mississippi.
Bass Reeves was born into slavery in Arkansas in the 1830s. He learned essential Wild West skills like riding, shooting, and hunting from his owner, George Reeves. Similarly, Django is skilled in these areas in the movie. During the Civil War, Bass Reeves escaped slavery and became a free man. Like Django, his wife was pursued by slave hunters, but Reeves managed to evade capture by fleeing into Native American territory.
In the film, Dr. King Schultz mentors Django in bounty hunting. However, Bass Reeves joined the law on his own, becoming one of Oklahoma’s first deputies after living with Native Americans. Reeves’ life became legendary, much like other Wild West figures. He was known for his incredible strength and was never shot during his 30-year career as a lawman in Oklahoma and Mississippi. He had some close calls, like when a bullet hit his hat but missed his head.
As a U.S. Marshal, Bass Reeves could arrest both Black and white outlaws, and his reputation grew. He was skilled at capturing criminals who had eluded other deputies. Some of his most famous arrests included outlaws like Bell Starr, the Brunter Brothers, and the Tom Story Gang. Django shares this trait with Reeves, helping Dr. Schultz track down the Brittle Brothers and other outlaws in the film.
Like Django, Reeves was illiterate, as most slaves in the South were not allowed to learn to read or write. However, he made up for it with his intelligence and quick thinking. Once, Reeves was ambushed by two brothers who wanted to kill him. They asked if he was the legendary Black marshal, and Reeves denied it. When they couldn’t find anyone to confirm his identity, they decided to shoot him anyway. Reeves asked them to read his wife’s last letter to him before he died. As they read, Reeves grabbed a gun and shot them both. This story is mirrored in the movie when Django tricks a group of slave transporters.
While Bass Reeves is likely the main inspiration for Django, the character may also be a mix of other famous cowboys from the era. In the movie, Django rides through white towns, facing hostility. Although racism was rampant, historians estimate that about a third of all cowboys in the Old West were African American, though their stories are often untold.
Ned Huddleston was a well-known cowboy in the Deep South, and Bill Pickett was a Texas cowboy famous for his unique style. These figures, along with others like William Lee, Cherokee Bill, and Boze Ikart, might have influenced Django’s character.
So, how does Django compare to the real-life heroes of the Wild West? Share your thoughts and let us know which historical figures you’d like to learn about next!
Research the life of Bass Reeves, the first Black deputy marshal in Mississippi. Create a presentation that highlights his achievements and compares them to the character of Django in “Django Unchained.” Focus on his skills, career, and legendary status in the Wild West.
Participate in a role-playing debate where you take on the persona of a historical figure from the Wild West, such as Bass Reeves, Ned Huddleston, or Bill Pickett. Discuss the challenges and achievements of African American cowboys and lawmen during that era.
Write an alternate ending to “Django Unchained” where Django’s character is more closely aligned with Bass Reeves’ real-life story. Consider how Django’s actions and decisions might differ if he followed Reeves’ path more closely.
Watch a documentary about the real-life heroes of the Wild West, focusing on African American figures. After viewing, engage in a class discussion about how these historical figures are represented in media and how their stories can be more accurately portrayed.
Create an art project that depicts the life and achievements of a Black hero from the Wild West. Use any medium you prefer, such as drawing, painting, or digital art, and present your work to the class, explaining the significance of your chosen figure.
Quentin Tarantino’s personal ode to the spaghetti western, “Django Unchained,” has earned both fans and criticism for its revisionist take on U.S. history. While much of the movie’s events were fictionalized, the title character shares some striking similarities with real Black heroes of the Wild West. Today on Nutty History, we’re covering the true story inspirations behind Django. So saddle up those horses and buckle up your holsters because it’s time to capture some baddies!
“Django Unchained” follows the story of a former slave turned bounty hunter trying to rescue his wife. While much of the western genre has focused on white settlers and cowboys, the fictional Django takes a lot of inspiration from real African Americans who overcame slavery to make a name for themselves in the pre-Civil War U.S. The man that stands out as the number one influence has to be Bass Reeves, the first Black deputy marshal of the state of Mississippi.
Bass Reeves was born into slavery in Arkansas during the 1830s. Growing up, Reeves learned to ride, shoot, and hunt under the tutelage of plantation owner George Reeves. In the movie, Django is also proficient in these important Wild West skills. At some point during the Civil War, Bass Reeves managed to escape the bonds of slavery to become a free man. Just like Django, his wife, Brunhilda, was pursued by slave hunters. Django was caught and separated from his wife, giving the film its main plotline, while Reeves successfully outran his pursuers into Native American territory.
Dr. King Schultz takes Django under his wing and helps show him the ropes of bounty hunting, but Bass Reeves actually joined the law of his own accord, becoming one of Oklahoma’s first deputies after his time spent living with Native Americans. Reeves’ life has also taken on a mythical quality akin to other Wild West legends. He was known for his almost superhuman strength and the fact that he was never shot in his entire 30-year career as a lawman in Oklahoma and Mississippi. There were some frighteningly close calls, like the time a bullet hit his hat but missed his head.
As U.S. Marshal, Bass Reeves was authorized to arrest both Black and white outlaws, and his reputation began to precede him. He had a knack for catching criminals that had always stayed one step ahead of other deputies. Some of his most notorious arrests included outlaws like Bell Starr, the Brunter Brothers, and the Tom Story Gang. In a way, Django shared this trait with Reeves while working as a bounty hunter, helping Dr. Schultz to find the Brittle Brothers among other unnamed outlaws, who sound suspiciously similar to the real-life Brunter Brothers.
Like Django, Reeves was illiterate, as most slaves of the antebellum South were not allowed to learn to read or write. However, similar to his movie counterpart, Reeves made up for it with his wit and clever presence of mind. Once, Reeves was ambushed by two murderous brothers while hunting for them. The criminals, knowing about the legendary Black marshal only by name, asked Reeves to confirm if he was the one pursuing them. Reeves acted shaken and denied it. Unconvinced, the murderers tied him to his horse and rode until they could find someone to confirm his story. When they couldn’t find anyone, they decided to shoot him anyway. Reeves made a final plea to the brothers to read his wife’s last letter to him before he died. As the men became distracted reading the letter, Reeves snatched a gun from one and shot them both. Tarantino used this story almost shot for shot in the sequence where Django convinces a group of Australian slave transporters to help him right before the climax of the movie.
Though Bass Reeves seems to be the most likely inspiration behind Django, it’s entirely possible that the character is an amalgamation of other rootin’ tootin’ cowboys of the era. In the film, Django rides his horse through white villages and faces scowls and anger. Of course, slavery, white supremacy, and racism were all deeply entrenched institutions of the time, but the sight of a Black man riding a horse wouldn’t have been all that shocking. Historians estimate that about a third of all cowboys in the Old West were African American, though their stories are rarely told.
Ned Huddleston was one of the most famous, or rather infamous, cowboys of the Deep South. Bill Pickett was another Texas cowboy known for his unique flair while roping and riding. He could have been the inspiration for the charismatic style Jamie Foxx adopted while playing Django. William Lee, Cherokee Bill, and Boze Ikart’s history also could have contributed to the creation of the character.
So how does Django stack up to the real deals? Drop us a line in the comments and let us know what other historical characters you want to hear about, dead or alive!
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – In history class, we learned about the impact of the Renaissance on European culture.
Performing – The act of presenting a form of entertainment to an audience. – The students were excited about performing in the school play, which depicted scenes from ancient Greek mythology.
Arts – Various branches of creative activity, such as painting, music, literature, and dance. – The arts have played a crucial role in shaping societies throughout history, often reflecting cultural values and social changes.
Django – A reference to Django Reinhardt, a pioneering jazz guitarist known for his contributions to the development of the genre. – Django Reinhardt’s innovative guitar techniques continue to influence musicians in the jazz community today.
Bass – A low-pitched sound or instrument, often providing the harmonic foundation in music. – The deep tones of the bass guitar added richness to the jazz ensemble’s performance.
Reeves – Referring to Bass Reeves, one of the first African American Deputy U.S. Marshals west of the Mississippi River. – Bass Reeves was known for his remarkable skills in tracking outlaws and bringing them to justice in the late 19th century.
Cowboy – A person who herds and tends cattle, traditionally on horseback, especially in the western United States. – The cowboy culture of the American West has been romanticized in countless films and books.
Slavery – The practice or system of owning individuals as property and forcing them to work without pay. – The abolition of slavery was a pivotal moment in American history, leading to significant social and political changes.
Outlaws – Individuals who break the law and live outside the legal system, often romanticized in folklore and media. – Stories of outlaws like Jesse James have become legendary, capturing the imagination of people fascinated by the Wild West.
Racism – Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior. – The civil rights movement of the 1960s aimed to combat racism and achieve equality for all citizens in the United States.
