While it might be fair to say that Quentin Tarantino never met a genre he didn’t like, there are some he loves more than the others. Inglourious Basterds is kind of a hybrid of two genres: the World War II movie and, to use his phrase, “men on a mission” movies. While Basterds is only loosely based on the B-movie, Inglorious Bastards, it does play with the tone of that movie and takes the basic premise to outlandish and highly entertaining extremes.
One of Tarantino’s favorite devices to tell a story by creating a series of timelines that proceed at different paces and in different tones – each beginning at a different time – and then coming together at just the right moment to provide the biggest impact. This is true of Basterds, though the movements through time aren’t nearly as obvious, or puzzling as, say, Pulp Fiction, which almost literally explodes when that moment arrives.
The film opens with an interrogation, though the interrogator, SS Col. Hans Landa [Christophe Walz – remember that name] is the absolute epitome of decorum who makes even the politest request of a glass of milk, or asking permission to smoke, the height of menace. From there, we are introduced to Lt. Aldo Raine [Brad Pitt] as he drafts eight “Jewish-American” soldiers to kill Nazis in manners that will strike terrific terror into the hearts of every remaining German soldier.
In Tarantino’s fabulist/revisionist/alternate history take on WWII, things come to a head when it is learned that a German film featuring a German sniper, Frederick Zoller [David Bruhl], who plays himself in the movie [think a German version of Sgt. York] will premiere in a Parisian theater. The finale is not only grand, violent fun, it also ties together plot arcs involving the movie theater owner [Melanie Laurant] who has reason to hate Landa; the infatuated Zoller, who is smitten by the theater owner; Joseph Goebbels [Sylvester Groth], the Reich’s Minister of Propaganda and producer of the film; a new mission for the Basterds – in co-operation with the British, that gains an unexpected bonus when it is learned that Hitler, himself, will be in attendance.
Tarantino quotes/homages a number of his favorite movies – the music alone brings together enough quotes to give Basterds a feel that can only be described as “spaghetti war movie.” He uses his knowledge of film to great effect whether his camera is caressing the evil Landa during the opening interrogation, or zooming in to catch the violence of a German sergeant meeting the business end of a baseball bat at the hands of “the Bear Jew,” Sgt. Donnie Donowitz [Hostel director, Eli Roth].
And then there’s the surprise double agent, Bridget Von Hammersmark [Diane Kruger], who is as tough as she is beautiful and capable of improvisation when necessary – and the bar full of German soldiers that creates problems for a rendezvous with the German-speaking Basterds, and an unusual use of a library of films that’s kept in the theater.
Throughout, Tarantino’s glee is evident. He delights in creating almost Hitchcockian suspense as much as he delights in extravagant outbursts of violence – or equally extravagant outbursts of sharply honed dialogue. He gives us details that suggest the unknowable depths of his characters – the most obvious example being the scar around Raine’s neck. He and Brad Pitt know what it means, so even though we never find out what happened, it gives Pitt’s performance another layer.
In a sense, because of the timing of its release, Inglourious Basterds could almost be considered goofy summer fun [albeit a supremely evolved example]. After all, no matter the genre, the cast, or the style, if it’s by Tarantino, its primary function is to entertain. Basterds does – and not just because of its audacity. It is a whip smart film that looks at WWII and asks the most important question in fiction – what if?
Final Grade: A
I will never see a movie just because it has Quentin Tarantino's name attached to it; the brand is forever tarnished because of this hack effort…
The only quality performance was by Christoph Waltz; in any other movie, his could have been an oscar nominated performance…
I have never wanted a refund so badly in all my movie viewing experience…
And, sadly, today's ignorant youth will think this was a some sort of biopic of history; Thank You Oliver Stone for starting a modern pathology in cinema, no matter how just the cause may be…
Did I mention that I fell asleep during the movie?
I, too, fell asleep! I couldn't wait for it to end…loved watching Diane Kruger…boring, dull, idiotic film!
u r retarded this movie was great only a retard would think that this is a biopic!!! how can u fall asleep through something like this??? it had comedy, suspense, awesome violence and great dialogue!!! i swear u have to be dumb to not like any part of this movie… falling asleep??? how can u fall asleep when hitler's face gets about 100 bullets shot through it lol??? u r dumb sir
theonlyjhood: while you and I may have loved Inglourious Basterds, not everyone did, and calling them names because you disagree with them is something that reflects badly on the movie and makes you look pretty sad yourself.
If you have a diffrence of opinion, please express yourself without resorting to such childish behavior. Hiding behind a pseudonym doesn't give you the right to be rude.
This was the worst movie that I have seen in a long time. Wayyyyyy to many subtitles, the story was way to slow and come on people we live in America lets speak some english here. Anyways it sucked and I have told at least 10 people not to waste there money or the 2 and a half hours out of there lifes!!!!!!
This is a movie that deserves to be condemned as a sadistic anti-German pay back for vengeance. The Army Times gave it a half a star, and suggested not to waste your money to see it. Quentin Tarrantino, and his producers not only get their kicks in bashing Italians, now the they are going after the finest, and best German Army of the time 1939-1945 in the world. The combat Germans did not murder 50 million Christian and Jews, t
Mistake number one: going to a Quentin Tarantino film expecting anything remotely resembling historical accuracy. Mistake number two: going to a Quentin Tarantino film expecting anything remotely resembling reverence. Mistake number three: trying to slam a well-made, entertaining "guys on a mission" fantasy film for being "fiction." Mistake number four: going to a Quentin Tarantino film without first possessing a sense of humor.
Mistake number five: the German army of the period you cite was not the best trained army in the world – that would be the Canadian army, which were called "stormtroopers" by the awed German army in WWI and was responsible for leading the Allies into every major European confrontation in WWII. Mistake number six: The Army Times may have given it half-a-star, but Roger Ebert [who has actually made a movie], Michael Phillips, Peter Travers, Claudia Puig, Lou Lemenick, Manohla Dargis and Richard Corliss – all of whom are among the most respected critics in the world, say otherwise – as does the majority of the biggest turnout for a film by Quentin Tarantino.
The German soldiers fought and died for their country. This slaughter could have been prevented. Hitler who admired the British, and wanted to make peace and end tge war in 1939, this was two years before the trains started transporting people to the death camps. So, why did Hitler allow 400,000 British troops to escape from Dunkirk, warned Mussolini not to attack Greece. After France fell, allowed France to keep her fleet, and her possessions in Syria, which would allow Hitler to gain access to the Suez Canal
No way was Hitler going to conquer the world, all Jewish propaganda. The German High Command knew it, The Italians under Mussolini was a liability, Mussolini who was all bluff was sending 5 ton armored vehicles with two machine guns against the British heavy Matilda tanks. The British Navy had control of the high seas, and the German Navy couldn't even steam out of the Baltic Sea. The Germans could not move troops by sea, and overloaded their rail system.
The result was a continuation of slaughter from the first war, and complete destruction of Germany, and lost of the British Empire, shortage of food, and bankruptcy in the second war. The Communist influenced movie industry in Hollywood has taken advantage of a weaken Western Civilization, and was able to produce this monstrosity they call Glorious Basterds. Don't support these fellow travellers by giving them money for their anti-German tripe!
The news from Germany is that the Germans are furious over the movie. Remember the attitude torwards the Germans hads changed from 1945. Its only the people of influence, especially in Hollywood who are out for vengeance. They try and tell us the movie is pulp fiction, baloney, the movie shows outright criminal acts committed by Jewish members of the American Army. Remember the Germans were humane to American POW'S, their own people were being bombed, and slaughtered, the ones on the move were starving, yet the Germans made sure the POW'S were fed, were seen by the red cross, and received their care packages, and mail from home.
If the Jews in the US had their way they would have starved the Germans to death, the Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morganthau wanted to salt the earth of Germany and starve the nation to death. Thank God cooler heads prevailed, "a profile in courage" Robert Taff of Ohio showed the mercy that was needed at the time, where a devastated Germany was fair game to evil minds for the complete destruction of a cultured, genius Christian nation. Taft denounced the suggestion on the Senate floor, and Germany got the aid they needed. Inglorious Basterds 64 years after germany's defeat, the Jews, and the Weinstein brothers are still looking for revenge.
This the filth coming out of Hollywood [inglorious basterds]. the Jewish propgandists before WWII advocated the war that practically destroyed Western Civilization, and they have the nerve to cry anti-Semitism. The brilliant Charles Lindberg tried to fight the Jewish influenced Hollywood, and he ended up with the Communist influenced FDR Administration removing Lindberg's commission as a reserve Colonel. The great aviator found a way to fight in the war, through his work at the bomber plant at the Ford factory, and he joined a marine squadron in the Pacific theatre as a advisor. Lindberg was able to advise the pilots on how to lower the revolutions in the engines to save gas, and add an additional 200 miles
you bet I'm right, you German haters can't refute the truth. The movie was only made to continue the propganda about the suffering of Jews in Europe during WWII. The Jews were not the only peoples starving to death, and dying from filth and disease. Innocent German civilians were also starving, and being killed by the hundreds of thousands in the revenge bombings of Dresden, and the fire bombings of Hamburg. The Jews in Hollywood, and their fellow travellers will not give it up, we all know your agenda now, "divide and conquer: