Trivia
Spike Lee publicly criticized Tarantino for the frequent use of the word "nigger" in the film. Samuel L. Jackson, previously a frequent Lee collaborator, defended Tarantino in the press. Miramax chairman called Lee in an attempt to mediate between him and Tarantino but Lee refused to speak with Tarantino.
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In the first mall scene, Max Cherry is seen exiting a movie theater while the music for the ending credits is playing. This is, in fact, the closing music for the film itself.
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One name on the tenant list for Melanie's apartment building is "S. Haig", a reference to Sid Haig, who plays the judge that sentences Jackie to prison.
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When Ordell Robbie first goes to Max Cherry's office and is asked if he has the cash for the bond, he responds "I got it right here in my brand new raptor bag." Although the logo is partially obscured, it is clearly that of the Toronto Raptors. Actor Samuel L. Jackson was frequently courtside at Toronto Raptor games the season before filming Jackie Brown.
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Actress Mira Sorvino, who at the time was dating director Quentin Tarantino, can be seen out-of-focus in the back of the courtroom at Jackie's arraignment.
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In the closing credits, Tarantino gives special thanks to "Bert D'Angelo's Daughter" (among others). In the late 70's, Paul Sorvino starred in a TV detective show, Bert D'Angelo/Superstar. Thus "Bert D'Angelo's Daughter" is Paul's daughter and Tarantino's girlfriend, Mira Sorvino.
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According to Quentin Tarantino, 70's actress Carol Speed originally helped out in making this film and was willing to play a small cameo part in the film. At the last minute, Tarantino decided not to use her in the film.
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Sylvester Stallone originally wanted to play Louis, while John Travolta was the first choice to play Ray Nicollete.
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It was Samuel L. Jackson's idea to give his character the long hair and the braided goatee.
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Louis and Ordell first appeared in the Elmore Leonard novel The Switch. At age 15 Quentin Tarantino was arrested for shoplifting this book, his one brush with "real" crime. In The Switch, Louis and Ordell kidnap a millionaire's wife only to discover he doesn't want her back, a plot that was used in Ruthless People. In the novel's sequel, Rum Punch, Louis and Ordell complain that the movie producers stole their idea (without mentioning the movie by name).
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When Robert De Niro first got a hold of the script he wanted to play the role of Max Cherry. Quentin Tarantino wanted to work with De Niro but had his heart set on Robert Forster as Cherry, so he gave the role of Louis to De Niro.
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Pam Grier didn't expect her long-time friend Sid Haig to play the judge. She started to burst out laughing as she was surprised by Haig because they both starred together in a number of exploitation films, which this film's style was influenced by.
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The book Max Cherry is reading when Jackie comes out of jail is "Berlin Game" by Len Deighton
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The inn where Ordell and Louis have a drink is called The Cockatoo Inn. The neon light letters a-t-o-o are out, so it spells The Cocka Inn: cocaine. A hint to the bags of cocaine found in Jackie's bag in the beginning of the movie.
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When Ordell first meets Max Cherry in his office, clearly visible beyond Max's desk is a large poster for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus for which Robert Forster's father, Robert Wallace Foster, Sr., once worked as an elephant trainer.
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Quentin Tarantino's first and only film (as of 2013) to adapt from preexisting material, rather than his own.
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In the novel, Jackie Brown (originally Jackie Burke) is white. Quentin Tarantino changed her race solely for the purpose of getting to work with Pam Grier.
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During the interrogation scene where Jackie is taken into custody - Det. Dargas stated that anyone in possession of over $10,000 should declare it to U.S. Customs - this is based on the regulations coded by the Internal Revenue Service. It is against IRS regulations for an individual to carry over $10,000 in currency (in this case, a cash transaction) without reporting it to U.S. Customs when entering the United States. This is codified under Federal Law under 31 U.S.C. 5316 and Treasury Department regulations (31 CFR Chapter X) - individuals who enter the United States with over $10,000 in cash (or other monetary instruments e.g. stocks, bonds) must file a FinCEN 105 document. FinCEN is the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, which is a division of the Department of the Treasury.
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Probably the least violent of all Quentin Tarantino's movies, as only 9 shots are fired, and 4 squibs of blood are seen used.
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Another name on the tenant list for Melanie's apartment is "J. Hill", which is a clear nod to director Jack Hill. Hill directed/wrote some of Pam Grier's major roles.
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Samuel L. Jackson shot his scenes at weekends as he was also concurrently working on Sphere at the time.
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Robert Forster didn't even have an agent when Quentin Tarantino handed him the script. Forster had auditioned for the Lawrence Tierney part in Reservoir Dogs so Tarantino had written the part of Max Cherry specifically for him.
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Pam Grier had tested for the part in Pulp Fiction that eventually went to Rosanna Arquette. Quentin Tarantino didn't forget her however, crafting the part of Jackie Brown specifically for the actress.
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Michael Keaton reprises his role as Ray Nicolette in _Out of Sight_ (1998), also based on a novel by Elmore Leonard.
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The character played by Bridget Fonda, Melanie Ralston, is based on an actual actress, Candice Rialson.
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Director Trademark
Quentin Tarantino:
[trunk]
The scene where Ordell is trying to convince Beaumont to get in the trunk of the car is shot entirely from a camera in the trunk looking up at them.
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Quentin Tarantino:
[corpse view]
After the last villain is shot and killed, the camera points up from his "head" and we see the heroes looking down at his body.
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Quentin Tarantino:
[bare feet]
Melanie is barefoot in all the scenes that take place in the apartment.
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Quentin Tarantino:
[long takes]
When Jackie leaves the dressing room after making the switch and when Louis and Ordell are at the bar.
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Quentin Tarantino:
[singing along to music]
Melanie, Jackie, and Max all sing along in the car.
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Spoilers
Four characters die in the film, and all four are introduced during the film's first scene (after the opening credits).
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