Cliff Booth's Violent Past

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

This thread traces the contrast between Cliff Booth's celebrated wartime service, his concealed killings, and his continuing freedom from legal consequences.

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The Prison Camp Escape The Prison Camp Escape from "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood". The Prison Camp Escape A desperate situation After capture by Japanese forces, Cliff Booth considers himself unlikely to survive.

The Prison Camp Escape from "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood". The Prison Camp Escape A desperate situation After capture by Japanese forces, Cliff Booth considers himself unlikely to survive.

The Prison Camp Escape A desperate situation After capture by Japanese forces, Cliff Booth considers himself unlikely to survive. He helps lead Filipino prisoners in a daring escape from their camp and their captors. Heroism and its shadow The escape becomes one of the defining episodes of Cliff's military record. It establishes his capacity for courage and violence, qualities that later make his past difficult to separate from his reputation as a stuntman.

The Cleveland Shootings The Cleveland Shootings from "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood". The Cleveland Shootings A confrontation over Abigail Two men connected to Abigail Pendergast threaten Cliff and try to drive him away.

The Cleveland Shootings from "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood". The Cleveland Shootings A confrontation over Abigail Two men connected to Abigail Pendergast threaten Cliff and try to drive him away.

The Cleveland Shootings A confrontation over Abigail Two men connected to Abigail Pendergast threaten Cliff and try to drive him away. Cliff asks about their Italian heritage, then uses his Medal of Valor to underline his wartime record. Violence without trial When one man insults him, Cliff shoots both men. He claims self-defense to the police, and his status as a war hero helps make the story plausible enough for him to avoid consequences.

Billie's Fatal Wound Billie's Fatal Wound from "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood". Billie's Fatal Wound A moment that cannot be undone Cliff fires the Shark gun at Billie Booth, striking her with catastrophic force.

Billie's Fatal Wound from "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood". Billie's Fatal Wound A moment that cannot be undone Cliff fires the Shark gun at Billie Booth, striking her with catastrophic force.

Billie's Fatal Wound A moment that cannot be undone Cliff fires the Shark gun at Billie Booth, striking her with catastrophic force. He immediately understands that it was a terrible mistake and tries to keep her alive. Remorse without surrender Cliff holds her for hours and talks with her about their life together. His regret is real, but he never seriously considers giving up his chance to evade the law.

The Misadventure Ruling The Misadventure Ruling from "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood". The Misadventure Ruling An unverifiable account Cliff says the shooting resulted from mishandled diving equipment.

The Misadventure Ruling from "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood". The Misadventure Ruling An unverifiable account Cliff says the shooting resulted from mishandled diving equipment.

The Misadventure Ruling An unverifiable account Cliff says the shooting resulted from mishandled diving equipment. Because the couple had been alone offshore, investigators cannot establish what happened well enough to disprove his story. A reputation survives The official ruling is misadventure, but members of the stunt community suspect murder. Cliff remains free while becoming notorious as a man others believe got away with killing his wife.

The Unpunished Man The Unpunished Man from "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood". The Unpunished Man Freedom as a pattern Cliff has killed in Cleveland, caused Billie's death, and killed Buster Cooley.

The Unpunished Man from "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood". The Unpunished Man Freedom as a pattern Cliff has killed in Cleveland, caused Billie's death, and killed Buster Cooley.

The Unpunished Man Freedom as a pattern Cliff has killed in Cleveland, caused Billie's death, and killed Buster Cooley. In each case, he finds a plausible way to live with the aftermath and continues his life. A reputation that follows His survival of legal scrutiny does not clear him morally or socially. The stunt world remembers his violence, and the fear and admiration attached to his name remain part of the work he can and cannot get.

During World War II in the Philippines

During Cliff's postwar years in Cleveland

Two years before February 1969, aboard Billie’s Boat

After the Coast Guard brings Billie ashore

By the time Cliff is driving Rick in 1969