Tarantino’s Bloody WWII Epic: Inglourious Basterds

Concluding Thoughts

Inglourious Basterds is a masterful film with stunning cinematography, captivating music and sound design, and exceptional acting performances. The film’s intricate visual style and use of music and sound help to reinforce the film’s themes and create a unique and immersive experience for audiences. Additionally, the film’s opening scene is one of the best in recent memory and sets the tone for the rest of the film powerfully and memorably. I highly recommend this film to anyone who has not yet had the chance to watch it.

Spoilers ahead

Overview

Inglourious Basterds is a 2009 war film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film is set in Nazi-occupied France during World War II and follows two separate storylines that eventually intersect. The first storyline focuses on a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as “The Basterds,” led by Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt), who are on a mission to kill as many Nazis as possible. The second storyline follows Shosanna Dreyfus (Mélanie Laurent), a young Jewish woman who has escaped a massacre and is now hiding in Paris, running a cinema. The two storylines come together when the Basterds plan to ambush a gala movie premiere held by Hitler and other high-ranking Nazi officials, with Shosanna as their inside woman. The film is a fictional retelling of history, filled with violence, black comedy, and tension-filled scenes, as the Basterds and Shosanna plot to take down the Nazi regime.

Themes

Vengeance: Vengeance is a central theme in the film, as the Basterds are on a mission to kill as many Nazis as possible in retaliation for the atrocities committed against the Jewish people. This theme is also seen in Shosanna’s desire for revenge against the Nazis for the massacre of her family.

Nationalism: The film highlights the dangers of nationalism and the consequences of blindly following a leader. The Nazi regime is portrayed as a fascist state that uses propaganda and fear to control its citizens. The film also touches on the idea that nationalism can be used to justify violence and hate towards other groups of people.

Identity: The film raises questions about identity and how one’s experiences and cultural background can shape it. Shosanna, for example, must navigate her identity as a Jewish woman in Nazi-occupied France, while the Basterds must navigate their identity as both American soldiers and Jews.

Film as a powerful tool: The film explores the idea that cinema can be a powerful tool for propaganda and resistance. The gala movie premiere serves as a metaphor for the power of film to shape public opinion, while Shosanna’s cinema serves as a symbol of resistance against the Nazi regime.

War and violence: The film depicts war’s brutality and senseless violence, showing how it can destroy individuals and entire communities. The film also critiques the glorification of violence and the consequences of taking revenge.

Symbolism

The Basterds’ Scalps: The practice of scalping by the Basterds symbolizes their willingness to take extreme measures to seek revenge against the Nazis. The scalps also serve as a symbol of their brutality and the senseless violence of war.

Shosanna’s Cinema: Shosanna’s cinema symbolizes resistance against the Nazi regime. The fact that she can turn a tool of Nazi propaganda into a symbol of resistance underscores the power of cinema and the importance of free expression.

Hitler’s Movie Premiere: The gala premiere held by Hitler and other high-ranking Nazi officials serves as a symbol of the Nazi regime’s use of propaganda to control its citizens. The film’s portrayal of the premiere as a lavish and glamorous event highlights the seductive power of propaganda and the dangers of blindly following a leader.

The Nazi Swastika: The Nazi swastika symbolizes the fascist regime and its hateful ideology. The film’s repeated use of the symbol reinforces the dangers of nationalism and the consequences of blindly following a leader.

Acting

Brad Pitt as Aldo Raine: Pitt delivers a standout performance as the charismatic and foul-mouthed leader of the Basterds. He infuses the character with a sense of humour and humanity that helps to balance the film’s dark and violent themes.

Christoph Waltz as Col. Hans Landa: Waltz delivers a tour de force performance as the cunning and sadistic Nazi officer. He masterfully balances the character’s charm and intelligence with his cruel and sadistic nature, making him one of the most memorable villains in recent cinema.

Mélanie Laurent as Shosanna Dreyfus: Laurent gives a powerful performance as Shosanna, a Jewish woman who is forced to navigate the dangers of Nazi-occupied France. Her portrayal of the character is both strong and vulnerable, making her a compelling hero in the film.

Michael Fassbender as Lt. Archie Hicox: Fassbender delivers a charismatic and confident performance as the British soldier who joins the Basterds on their mission. His character is a foil to Brad Pitt’s Aldo Raine, adding an additional layer of depth to the film’s ensemble cast.

Eli Roth as Sgt. Donny Donowitz: Roth gives a humorous and over-the-top performance as the Basterd known as “The Bear Jew.” His character is a standout in the film, adding a sense of dark humour to the film’s graphic violence.

Cinematography

Dynamic Camera Work: The film features dynamic camera work that helps to convey intense and violent action scenes. The use of close-ups, slow-motion, and handheld camera shots help to create a sense of chaos and intensity while also allowing audiences to experience the action in a more intimate and immersive way.

Artful Framing: The film’s cinematography uses artful framing to reinforce the film’s themes and create visual interest. For example, the use of Dutch angles during tense scenes helps to create a sense of unease and danger, while the use of symmetrical frames reinforces the film’s themes of power and control.

Lighting: The film’s cinematography uses lighting to create a rich and atmospheric visual experience. The film’s use of shadow and light helps to reinforce the film’s themes of violence and fear while also creating a sense of mood and tension.

Colour Palette: The film’s cinematography uses a colour palette that reinforces the film’s historical setting and enhances the visual experience. The film’s use of muted earth tones and rich, warm colours creates a sense of timelessness.

Music

Original Score: The film features an original score by composer Ennio Morricone that reinforces the film’s themes and creates a sense of mood and atmosphere. The use of haunting melodies and dissonant strings helps create a sense of tension and unease while reinforcing the film’s themes of violence and conflict.

Sound Design: The film’s sound design plays a crucial role in creating a sense of realism and intensity. The use of sound effects, such as gunfire and explosions, helps create a sense of chaos and violence while immersing audiences in the film’s action.

Diegetic Sound: The film’s use of diegetic sound, or sound that originates from within the world of the film, helps to create a sense of realism and grounding. For example, the use of ambient sounds, such as the sounds of a crowded movie theatre or a bustling city, helps to create a sense of place and reinforces the film’s historical setting.

Use of Source Music: The film uses source music or music that is heard within the world of the film. For example, the use of German folk songs during scenes set in Nazi-occupied France helps to reinforce the film’s historical setting and create a sense of cultural conflict.