Detailed Summary
Introduction and Setting
Inglourious Basterds is a war film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film is set in Nazi-occupied France during World War II and follows two main storylines: one about a group of Jewish-American soldiers on a mission to spread fear among the Nazis, and the other about a young Jewish woman who plots to avenge her family’s murder by the Nazis.
Chapter 1: Once Upon a Time in Nazi-Occupied France
The film begins with SS Colonel Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz) interrogating French dairy farmer Perrier LaPadite (Denis Ménochet) about the whereabouts of a Jewish family, the Dreyfus. Landa’s probing leads to the discovery of the family hiding under the floorboards, and they are subsequently killed, except for the daughter, Shosanna (Mélanie Laurent), who escapes.
Chapter 2: The Inglourious Basterds
Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) leads a squad of Jewish-American soldiers known as the “Basterds.” Their mission is to instill fear among the German soldiers by brutally killing and scalping them. The squad includes notable members like Sgt. Donny Donowitz, aka “The Bear Jew” (Eli Roth), known for beating Nazis with a baseball bat. They gain a notorious reputation for their ruthless tactics.
Chapter 3: German Night in Paris
Shosanna, now living under the alias Emmanuelle Mimieux, runs a cinema in Paris. German war hero Fredrick Zoller (Daniel Brühl) becomes infatuated with her and convinces Joseph Goebbels (Sylvester Groth) to premiere his new propaganda film at her cinema. Shosanna sees this as an opportunity to exact her revenge and begins plotting to burn down the theater during the premiere.
Chapter 4: Operation Kino
British Lieutenant Archie Hicox (Michael Fassbender) is assigned to lead a mission, “Operation Kino,” to blow up the cinema during the premiere. He teams up with German actress and double agent Bridget von Hammersmark (Diane Kruger) and the Basterds. Their plan goes awry when a tense meeting in a French tavern with German soldiers leads to a bloody shootout, leaving Hicox and most of the team dead. Raine, Donowitz, and the surviving Basterds proceed with the mission.
Chapter 5: Revenge of the Giant Face
On the night of the premiere, the Basterds, disguised as Italian filmmakers, infiltrate the cinema. Shosanna and her lover Marcel (Jacky Ido) prepare to ignite a film reel made of highly flammable nitrate film, intending to kill the Nazis in attendance. Meanwhile, Landa discovers von Hammersmark’s betrayal, kills her, and captures Raine and another Basterd, negotiating his surrender in exchange for immunity.
The Climax and Conclusion
The film climaxes with Shosanna’s plan coming to fruition. Marcel ignites the nitrate film, causing a massive fire. Donowitz and another Basterd, Omar (Omar Doom), shoot Hitler and Goebbels before dying in the explosion. The cinema is engulfed in flames, killing the Nazi leadership.
The film ends with Landa surrendering to Raine and receiving his reward. However, Raine carves a swastika into Landa’s forehead, ensuring he will forever be marked as a Nazi.
Movie Ending
The film concludes with the Basterds’ mission successful and the Nazi leadership eliminated. Landa’s attempt to escape justice is thwarted by Raine’s brand of vigilante punishment.
Post-Credits Scene
There are no post-credits scenes in Inglourious Basterds.
Type of Movie
Inglourious Basterds is a war film that combines elements of drama, action, and dark comedy. It is known for its revisionist history and stylized violence.
Cast
- Brad Pitt as Lt. Aldo Raine
- Christoph Waltz as Col. Hans Landa
- Mélanie Laurent as Shosanna Dreyfus / Emmanuelle Mimieux
- Eli Roth as Sgt. Donny Donowitz
- Michael Fassbender as Lt. Archie Hicox
- Diane Kruger as Bridget von Hammersmark
- Daniel Brühl as Fredrick Zoller
- Til Schweiger as Sgt. Hugo Stiglitz
- B.J. Novak as Pfc. Smithson Utivich
Film Music and Composer
The film’s score includes a mix of original compositions and existing music by various artists. Quentin Tarantino, known for his eclectic taste, selected tracks that enhance the film’s dramatic and action sequences.
Filming Locations
Inglourious Basterds was shot in various locations, including:
- Germany: Principal photography took place in Berlin and Brandenburg.
- France: Some scenes were shot in Paris and surrounding areas.
Awards and Nominations
Inglourious Basterds received numerous prestigious awards, including:
- Academy Awards: Won Best Supporting Actor (Christoph Waltz), nominated for Best Picture, Best Director (Quentin Tarantino), Best Original Screenplay, and more.
- Golden Globe Awards: Won Best Supporting Actor (Christoph Waltz), nominated for Best Director and Best Screenplay.
- BAFTA Awards: Won Best Supporting Actor (Christoph Waltz), Best Original Screenplay (Quentin Tarantino).
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Christoph Waltz’s portrayal of Hans Landa earned widespread acclaim and revitalized his career. Tarantino referred to Landa as one of the greatest characters he has ever written.
- The film’s opening scene is inspired by the 1963 film The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, specifically the tense dialogue and long takes.
Inspirations and References
The film draws inspiration from various World War II films and spaghetti westerns. Tarantino’s signature style, combining humor with intense violence, is evident throughout the movie.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
The final cut of the film closely follows Tarantino’s vision. While some scenes were trimmed for pacing, there are no widely known alternate endings.
Book Adaptations and Differences
While there are no direct novelizations, the film has been analyzed in various books and essays exploring its themes, narrative structure, and impact on cinema.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The opening interrogation scene between Landa and LaPadite.
- The tavern shootout during Operation Kino.
- Shosanna preparing to burn down the cinema.
- The climax where the cinema is set ablaze and the Basterds kill Hitler.
Iconic Quotes
- “Au revoir, Shosanna!” – Col. Hans Landa
- “You probably heard we ain’t in the prisoner-takin’ business; we in the killin’ Nazi business. And cousin, business is a-boomin’.” – Lt. Aldo Raine
- “Each and every man under my command owes me one hundred Nazi scalps. And I want my scalps!” – Lt. Aldo Raine
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The name “Emmanuelle Mimieux” that Shosanna uses is a nod to French actress Emmanuelle Riva.
- Tarantino makes a brief voice cameo as an American soldier.
Trivia
- The film’s budget was around $70 million, and it grossed over $321 million worldwide.
- The character of Hugo Stiglitz is named after a real-life Mexican actor known for his roles in exploitation films.
Why Watch?
Inglourious Basterds is a unique blend of historical revisionism, intense drama, and dark humor. Its strong performances, particularly by Christoph Waltz, and Tarantino’s distinctive style make it a standout film in the war genre.
Director’s Other Movies
Quentin Tarantino also directed:
- Pulp Fiction (1994)
- Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
- Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
- Django Unchained (2012)
- Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
- Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Django Unchained (2012)
- Pulp Fiction (1994)
- The Dirty Dozen (1967)
- Saving Private Ryan (1998)
- Schindler’s List (1993)
