Lt. Aldo Raine: The Apache Leader

“And our battle plan will be that of an Apache Resistance. We will be cruel to the Germans, and through our cruelty, they will know who we are. They will find the evidence of our cruelty, in the disembowed, dismembered, and disfigured bodies of their brothers we leave behind us.” —Aldo Raine

The Apache Indians were a persistent and aggressive force in their time. They knew how to fight well, and they were not afraid to stand up for themselves. This tribe was spread all throughout the United States during different time periods, but dwelled most heavily in the southwest region. Their name originated from their Zuni neighbors, meaning “enemy” (Birchfield). This name proved to be fitting for the tribe because of the numerous altercations they had with other people groups that tried to disrupt their way of life. These conflicts, known as the Apache Wars, were key moments in history for this tribe and caused a lot of strife between the different groups that tried to oppress them. The Apaches led many resistances over the years against the Mexicans and Americans. These warriors were motivated to keep the lifestyle they had cultivated for so long and took great stands against their enemies. They were skilled in guerilla warfare and had no problem killing anyone who opposed them. Apache warriors fought valiantly and had a way of life that they desperately wanted to keep. This more peaceful way of life was snatched from them by their enemies, and the warfare that ensued was plentiful.

Lieutenant Aldo Raine confidently struts into the first scene showcasing the film’s protagonists. His thick, southern, hillbilly accent and general roughness quickly gives him a strong position in the scene. He is powerful and experienced, and it is clear exhibited by scar on his neck and the story he includes about his past combat that Raine has already fought through many arduous days. The scar on his neck appears to be from a rope burn, and the script exposes that “once upon a time, he survived a lynching.” This note from the original exposition of the story displays Raine as someone who has already fought through life and experienced a lot of hardship. It is undoubtable that he would assert respectful dominance over just about anyone who would dare to cross him, and the soldiers quickly develop a stern respect for the man who will lead them on their journey.

The first sentence from the quote referencing an Apache resistance is not included in the original script, but it seems to have been added in order to develop Aldo Raine more directly early on as a character. The connection to the Apaches is introduced in this scene because it is a central comparison throughout the entire story. The Apaches were cruel, and the Basterds will be just as cruel to the Germans. The Apaches killed Mexicans and Americans, and the Basterds will kill Germans. The Apaches scalped many of their enemies, and the Basterds will scalp the Germans they murder just the same. The comparison between the two groups is less of a coincidence and more of an intentional likeness that Raine strives to achieve throughout the film.

Tarantino develops Aldo Raine as a character with a lot of historical subtext directed towards this comparison of his team to the Apache resistance. The Apaches were a ruthless band of freedom fighters that acted in revenge of the wrongs that had previously been done to them. They used guerilla warfare to lay waste to the Mexicans and Americans that were seizing everything they had and killing much of their people. The Apaches fought much of the time in order to right the atrocious wrongs that had been done to them. They took the scalps of their enemies as a form of trophy to signify that they had exercised dominance over the people who were oppressing them (Goodwin).

Aldo and the Basterds operated in a very similar way. Raine, who is strongly assumed to be non-Jewish since he describes some of his ancestry and relates only to his home in the mountains of Tennessee, assembles a squad of Jewish-American soldiers because he sees the personal connection they have with the war. These soldiers have witnessed their people getting murdered and oppressed by the Nazis, and that connection makes them all the more brutal and determined. Raine as a leader exercises a similar determination for the cause, and is well suited to be specifically considered the Apache as the leader of the squad. Aldo proves himself to be the full embodiment of an Apache warrior throughout the course of the film.

Scalping is another way Aldo shows the traits of an Apache. His specificity with wanting his soldier to scalp the Nazi’s is an order that exemplifies the cruelty he possesses. He intends to use this technique used by the Apaches in the past as an added form of intimidation towards the Nazis. The goal of the scalping and the swastika scars is not just to torture the Germans— it is to strike fear in their hearts. Aldo the Apache is very specific about the scalps he expects from each of his men.

Another key part of Aldo Raine as a character is the flawless casting Tarantino carried out. Brad Pitt was the best possible person to play this role, especially given his incredible track record of acting in roles where he behaves in a slightly similar way. Pitt develops a compelling character that captivates the audience throughout the film. He becomes Raine and keeps a consistent conviction in the way Raine acts and responds to things. That trait is crucial with a character as aggressive and static as Raine. Brad Pitt acts confidently in his role and often elicits an intriguing sense of humor in the story, which is developed throughout the film in order to keep the plotline enjoyable without sacrificing the objective of the film.

Throughout the story, Raine is developed as a character extensively, revealing a daunting simplicity to his thoughts and actions. He bulldozes through the film, wreaking havoc on the German troops and doing everything he can to carry out the goals of the Basterds. Even in his weaknesses, such as his embarrassingly bad Italian accent, he acts with authority and exhibits his character in a way that allows him to continue leading on the story. Aldo Raine possesses a few characteristics that distinctly make him the most volatile and confident person in the story.

Raine and Utivich sit in the back of the truck while Landa and his driver travel calmly through the woods towards American territory. The scenery of the lush green forest is transitioned into a shot of Landa smirking as he confidently toys with Raine’s knife. The satisfaction on Landa’s face is sickening, as he confidently assumes he has successfully betrayed the Nazis for his future freedom. They stop, exit the truck, and stand on the territory lines facing each other with respect. Landa has the two men’s handcuffs removed and weapons returned. Landa declares himself to be their prisoners in a rather joking manner and seems to be victorious in his efforts.

In that moment Raine takes control of the scene and begins to assert his dominance in the cool and confident way he has throughout the film. He shoots Herman, the prisoner with Landa, and begins to explain his thoughts on Landa’s recent actions. It is clear that Raine still has a burning hatred for this man, but his temper never erupts past anything he can’t control. The scene is developed most clearly when Raine explains again why he doesn’t want a Nazi to get freedom without any reminder of their past deeds.

“I mean if I had my way, you’d wear that goddamn uniform for the rest of your pecker suckin life. But I’m aware that’s ain’t practical. I mean at some point ya gotta hafta take it off. So I’m gonna give you a little somethin you can’t take off.” —Aldo Raine

With a few gruesome slices of his knife, Raine carefully carves out a distinct swastika into Landa’s forehead as he screams in pain. The film ends with this small overall victory, and develops Raine as a character who is vengeful and reckless. Raine assesses his situation and sees that he has essentially total dominance once he takes Landa and Herman as prisoners. He doesn’t rationally consider the morals or practicality of his decisions but actually keeps a constant course in his mission against the Nazis. For Raine, it’s not just about strategically ending the war and going home; it’s much more specific. Raine wants “one thing, and one thing only, killin’ Nazis.” This was his mission in the first scene of the movie, and the only reason he shows an ounce of compassion towards Landa now is because of his moderate respect for the help Landa just gave them to essentially end the war.

Raine doesn’t want the Nazi soldiers to take off their uniforms because he wants them to face almost eternal retribution for the horrendous acts they have committed. He is concerned with justice, first and foremost, and does not intend on letting someone as detestable as Landa escape judgement. Raine is not a character in this film who follows the rules people give him. He doesn’t show compassion but relies solely on his own convictions and choices to progress through the story. The way he leads his men and is displayed in such a positive light the entire movie is inspiring, and it validates a lot of his more daring decisions. Raine is confident. He is reckless. He is an Apache warrior.

Works Cited:

“Apache Wars.” Dictionary of American History. 2003, and “Apache Wars.” World Encyclopedia. 2005. “Apache Wars.” Encyclopedia.com. HighBeam Research, 01 Jan. 2003. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.

Birchfield, D., and “Apache.” Dictionary of American History. 2003. “Apaches.” Encyclopedia.com. HighBeam Research, 01 Jan. 2000. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.

Goodwin, Grenville. “Western Apache Raiding and Warfare.” Google Books. University of Arizona Press, 2015. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.

“Apache.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2016.

“Scalping.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 03 Apr. 2016.