Sally Menke, Quentin Tarantino’s Longtime Editor, Has Died at 56

[Hunter Rider]

http://www.slashfilm.com/2010/09/28/sally-menke-quentin-tarantinos-longtime-editor-has-died-at-56/

Terrible news today, as the LA Times reports that Sally Menke, the editor who cut all of Quentin Tarantino’s films, was found dead this morning. She had disappeared while hiking yesterday, and an extensive search of Griffith Park was undertaken by police after friends reported her missing. Her body was found at the bottom of a ravine in Beachwood Canyon. While the exact circumstances of her death have yet to be revealed, there is the supposition that the extreme, record-setting heat yesterday in Los Angeles played a part in her fate.

Sally Menke was Quentin Tarantino’s closest and most consistent collaborator, having worked on every one of his films from Reservoir Dogs through Inglourious Basterds. She was nominated for Oscars for her work on the latter and on Pulp Fiction.

There is likely no way to overstate the impact Menke’s work had on what we know as Quentin Tarantino’s style. Editors are the unheralded authors of every film, and in the case of a filmmaker who tells stories in non-linear, unconventional fashion, the editor’s contribution is even more important. Any discussion of the technical craft and narrative risk-taking of Tarantino’s films necessarily invoked Menke’s name. Her skills and presence will be greatly missed.

Here’s a brief tribute to Sally Menke from the Death Proof DVD. Movieline also has a good interview with her from 2009.

Very sad.

 

[mclay18]

RIP Sally. I feel for Quentin and Sally's husband right now.

 

[SoulManX]

Wow very sad

 

[블라스]

Terrible news
Rest in peace, Sally Menke

 

[boydston_14]

Rest in peace. I've always been a huge fan of hers.

 

[david icke]

That is terrible news. R.I.P. Sally Menke

 

[Octoberist]

This is incredibly sad. She was the only one who could handle QT.

RIP. Very tragic.

 

[YoungE808]

have to say, I'm surprised to hear that she died during a hiking trip

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Terrible news, I hate hearing of anyone dying, RIP.

 

[Carmine Falcone]

That's really an awful way to go, and she was obviously way too young. Terrible news.

 

[Octoberist]

exactly. this is so unexpected. imagine if one of your friends went out to do something routine, and never came back. (Sobs)

 

[redhawk23]

If you've ever listened to her or Tarantino talk about the editing process on Pulp Fiction alone, you can tell that the movie would have been completely different and possibly a complete mess with out her skill and insight.


Sally Menke, you will be missed by film fans everywhere.

 

[flickchick85]

Oh my gosh, I was JUST talking about her with a friend last week as we were discussing the greatest editors of this or any era - and she was definitely one of my favorites.

RIP Sally, you were without a doubt one of the greats, and will be sorely missed.

 

[Ghostvirus]

It will interesting to see his next film. Cause Quentin's entire career has depended on heavy editing.

 

[War Party]

Terrible news and absolutely tragic.

 

[xwolverine2]

what!!!??...
she was my all-time favorite editor!

stupid Los Angeles killed her???

Quentin Tarantino's films from now on will never be the same as they used to.

r.i.p

 

[Homer J. Fong]

Wow, shocking and really horrible news. Sally Menke was a tremendous talent, she will be definitely be missed.

 

[Bunker]

Sucks. Tarantino's films have the best editing around.