What was in the Briefcase?

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Can anyone tell me what was in the briefcase in Pulp Fiction? And what is the Band-Aid on the back of Marsellus's neck about? Is there a connection? You never see or hear anyone say what's in the case. Thanks!

- Hedy

This is a very commonly asked question. Who in the community can give the best answer?

If you don't remember the briefcase, check out the Hamburger scene video.

Posted by: Pulp Sloth Date:

COMMENTS

StStephy

I know it's awesome to believe that it's Marcellus' soul, and all, I love that idea too, but, just a little common sense here... Vincent and Jules argue about wether they have, or haven't experienced a miracle. Because of that "Miracle" Jules quits, Vincent goes alone into Butch's home and gets killed. so this is one important argument. Don't you think that if Jules was familiar with picking up souls in briefcases he wouldn't have been so shocked about not getting shot? let's say no, you don't think so. Don't you think that if Vincent had just seen with his own eyes a human soul shine back at him inside a mother fucking briefcase he might have been a bit more open to the idea that MAYBE there was something slightly holy going on in that room?!?! forget about the terrible shooter, THERE'S A SOUL IN THERE!!!!!!

And that's how you know, whatever is in the briefcase, is wonderful, shiny and beautiful, but not supernatural.

keen

In all reality IM making fun of the guy th@ thought just gold in thethe case....... with what was said about the devil and what to trade for a soul..... maybe the Devils golden fiddle........ but seriously that guy on this site is what the f***
I mean I gotta work at 7 tomorrow it's 2 o'clock in the morning and I didn't see me signing up on Pulp forum..... But that crack headed genius drove me to it..... Good night/morning & have a great 4th

Panatella

In a TV interview I saw with QT many years ago, he did not disclose the actual contents of the briefcase. He said (not in these exact words) - use your imagination, whatever you want it to be. If you recall from the movie when Vincent first opened it in the apartment, and when Ringo forced Jules to open it during the cafe hold-up there was a sort of a golden shine on their faces when the briefcase was opened. My guess is that is was something gold and priceless, something like the Holy Grail maybe.

Barrn53

I thought it was the money butch won on the fight after placing bets all over town

anonymous

the early bird gets the worm.
The briefcase contains the shine from the sun rising in the morning this is revealed when Jules states that he will leave the life of killing and hustling forever to walk the earth like Kane in Kung fu Tarantino probably spent a lot of time in the video store watching re runs and grew up idolizing David car radine and the Tao. At the beginning of each Kung fu car radine is eclipsed by the sun symbolizing a new day for rebirth and life etc which is what Jules will have when he gives up his life of doing dirty laundry hence the morning sunshine is the miracle. those who can harness the suns power all day with out fail is the real gangster as opposed to the non workin lazy people sleeping all day. living each day one day at a time without killing and gang banging. Truly I think the band aid is there to show the audience the this guy we are looking at is a bad motherfucker that was recently in a scuffle and was cut or bruised. And thus creating a moment confusion to the audience like as in what the fuck is that suspense builder tension breaker etc.

cartoon_sub

What everyone is forgetting is science: gold is heavy. Even one gold bar would be more awkward and difficult to handle inside that briefcase, with the ease and agility that the actors handle the case. --- simply put, it cannot be gold bars. Gold is just too heavy to toss around like fluff. (Personally, I like the soul explanation.)

Joelfrosty

I can't believe no one has realized what the Band-Aid on wallaces neck was for. It's simple, I've known a lot of African-American people who get shaving bumps from using this cream that removes hair on their face and neck and I believe if you look at the picture that he had a bad case of bumps on his neck and the Band-Aid was probably covering some of those bumps it's as simple as that.

DDAWG

The Motherfuckin Holy God Damn Grail MotherFucker! NO Fuckin SHIT

DDAWG

The Motherfuckin Holy God Damn Grail MotherFucker! NO Fuckin SHIT

anonymous

It was not his soul, it was supposed to be diamonds. Tarantino confirmed it was diamonds, however Tarantino had just used a case of diamonds as a major plot device in Reservoir Dogs and did not want to be predictable :)

Dalastshawn21

Diamonds don't glow like gold you dumbass bastards I swear I wish I could best the hell outta most of you

Dalastshawn21

Beat!!! Fuckn auto correct

Reuban

The obvious answer anyone should get is that it is an academy award - an Oscar. That's why Ringo asks "is that what I think it is?"
Too easy !

steveisfatter

After being thoroughly entertained by some of your theories, like Wallace's Soul, the holy grail, or even the 1966 world cup...wtf btw!?.

QT has said there is no "official answer" to what was in the case but When Jules opens it and Tim Roth's character says "Is that what I think it is?" The answer is "yes", literally. I believe that is QT saying our imagination is all of the real beauty and value in this world

mhenson4--

No matter what QT says, there is a definite object in the briefcase.

1 - It is seen several times in the movie.
2 - It fits the plot.
3 - It is purely logical.

And like QT, I won't tell you what it is.

Sharon Nobody

Sorry that I'm late to the party. As an occultist and also knowing that QT is versed in Kaballah, the contents of the case is MELANIN. The combo of the case is 666 which is carbon (6 electrons, 6 protons, and 6 neutrons). You'll find melanin in many mythologies represented as gold such as the Golden Fleece, Holy Grail, or Ark of the Covenant. Soul isn't the incorrect answer but it's not a complete answer. The soul which is light has a SHADOW (explained in Bram Stoker's Shadow Builder), you must have polarity. Hopefully this will go viral, the mystery is over.

badmotherfucker

The contents of the briefcase is whatever you want it to be, that's what makes it so valuable. different things have different value to different people, one man's trash is another man's treasure and all that. So as soon as you show someone what is in the briefcase, it loses its value, that value of it can be anything you want it to be.

It runs along the same principals of not showing fully a monster in a scary movie. If you don't show the monster, your imagination runs wild with it and you see what would scare YOU the most. In the same way, the contents of the briefcase is kept a mystery to let it be whatever the audience imagines is the most valuable thing to them is.

As for the band aid, I read somewhere that Ving Rhames has the plaster on to cover a cut from shaving his head or something (I don't really remember the specifics) and Tarantino thought it looked cool so he ran with it.

fredrikoaa

Tarantino said in a interview that the band aid on marsellus was simply because he cut himself with a razor while shaving his head. Tarantino thought that this looked kinda badass and decided to have it in the scene.

Dewmangrp

It's Marcelleus' soul that he sold to the devil. If you watch the scene where Vincent opens up the briefcase, the number inputted is 666. The band aid covers up where his soul was removed.

porkchop

Marsellus had a band aid cause he had cut his head while shaving it before the movie. The glow you see from the inside of the briefcase is from a golden ticket for a free admission for one and guest to Willy Wonka's chocolate factory . How could someone not know that? Funniest thing is that I am answering this question some 15 years later... Creepy! A lot has changed since you asked that question but our love for pulp fiction is the same. Cheers!
 

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