Synopsis
In Quentin Tarantino's alternate history movie, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as 'The Basterds', led by Lt. Aldo Raine, plan to assassinate Nazi leaders in occupied France. Concurrently, a French Jewish cinema owner, Shosanna Dreyfus, plots her own revenge against the Nazis.
Why Watch It
This Nazi propaganda short—a film-within-the-film—brilliantly captures Tarantino's audacious alternate history, featuring a charismatic German war hero whose cinematic moment becomes both thrilling and darkly comic. Roth's direction of the propaganda aesthetic feels authentically menacing, making the theatrical climax that follows hit with maximum impact. It's essential viewing for understanding the metatextual brilliance that makes *Inglourious Basterds* unforgettable.
Did You Know?
- Tarantino took over a decade to write the script.
- Brad Pitt's character's accent is from Tarantino's native Knoxville, Tennessee.
- Adolf Hitler is played by Martin Wuttke, a German actor.
- Eli Roth, the director of Hostel, plays Sgt. Donny Donowitz.
- The film won the Best Actor award at Cannes for Christoph Waltz.
Iconic Quotes
- "Au revoir, Shoshanna!" - Hans Landa
- "I think this just might be my masterpiece." - Lt. Aldo Raine
- "We're in the killing Nazi business and business is booming." - Lt. Aldo Raine
- "You know something, Utivich? I think this might just be my masterpiece." - Lt. Aldo Raine
- "Say 'auf wiedersehen' to your Nazi balls." - Hugo Stiglitz
