Inglourious Basterds
Plot: In Nazi occupied France, the Basterds are a group of Jewish American soldiers, led by Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt), whose only goal is to kill Nazis. They each have a personal goal of collecting 100 Nazi scalps. They team up with a British Spy and a double agent, German actress Bridget von Hammersmark, to plot the assassination of Hitler, Goering and Geobbels in Operation Kino. The German hierarchy are planning a special screening of a new propaganda film based on the survival of a German sniper, and will be held in a Paris cinema run by Emmanuelle Mimieux. But whilst the Basterds are planning to infiltrate the screening and blow the theatre, the owner has her own plan. Because Emmanuelle is in fact a Jew who survived the massacre of her family at the hands of ‘Jew Hunter’ Hans Landa, who will also be present at the screening.
My Thoughts: This is an excellent and well delivered film. The plot is brought to you in five ‘chapters’ each one needed to develop the story along. In chapter one, we are introduced to Hans Landa, the ‘Jew Hunter’ as he interrogates the Frenchman hiding a Jewish family. The scene is tense and emotive. We also see Shosanna escape the massacre at the end of the chapter. Chapter 2 introduces us to the Basterds, and sets the scene of their code of conduct. They kill Nazis and scalp them, but the few they let go (to spread the word) they carve a swastika into their foreheads. Chapter 3 develops the story of why the premiere is going to be screened in Emmanuelle’s cinema. We meet the German Private Zoller, the sniper and start of the film to be screened, who has a little crush on Emmanuelle. We also meet Goebbels, excellently played by Sylvester Groth, as the German film producer and propaganda merchant. Chapter 4 develops the ‘operation Kino’ story. We meet the British spy (and his senior officer played by Mike Myers which has hints of Dr Evil) and the actress Van Hammersmark. This chapter has the finest scene in the film, set in e cellar bar, where the Basterds are to first meet the actress. Chapter 5 is the climax, will the assassination attempt come to fruition? (I won’t spoil the ending)
Brad Pitt does well in his role, and there are some comic moments, especially when he and his group pretend to Italian! But the films greatest asset is Christopher Waltz as Hans Landa…. And what an ending!
It is a long film (Two and a half hours) and involves a lot of reading subtitles, but don’t let that put you off. There are some gruesome scenes too (the scalping for instance) but it is never too much. This film is a must see!
Best bit: Chapter 4 had me on the edge of my seat! So Tense!
Score: 10/10