In “Inglorious Basterds” War is Hell…for Nazi’s.   

Staring Brad Pitt and Christoph Waltz.  Written and Directed by Quentin Tarantino.   

Rated R for strong graphic violence, language, and brief sexuality.  

The film takes place during the German occupation of France in World War II.  The “Basterds” are a special squad of guerrilla fighters hand-picked for their willingness, desire, and ability to kill Nazi’s.  The squad consists of Jewish-Americans and disillusioned German army soldiers.  Lt Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) a good-ole-boy from the southern US, leads this deadly crew.  A Nazi killing machine himself,  the lieutenant demands nothing less than 100 scalps from each of his men.  Their quest is to “brutalize the German” in the same way that Nazi’s kill and torture their victims.  In each encounter they allow one German soldier to survive so that he can “Speak of our cruelty”.  In this way the Basterds become legends among the Nazi soldiers and come to the attention of Adolf Hitler himself.  Raine audaciously declares early in the film “We ain’t in the takin’ prisoners business.  We’re in the killing Nazi business.  Business is a-boomin!” 

The film opens brilliantly.  SS Colonel Hans Landa (an outstanding Christoph Waltz) arrives at the home of a French farmer accused of hiding and protecting Jews.  Landa is known as the “Jew Hunter” because of his phenomenal ability to hunt down Jews and kill them.  The Colonel prefers to be known as a “detective’.  Landa has to be one of the most darkly menacing characters in the history of film.  He is friendly, charming, charismatic…and utterly without conscience or pity.  Single-minded in his determination to eradicate Jews – he refers to them as rats that must be stomped out - he is the very definition of seductive evil. The farmer is forced to give up the Jewish family, yet one person escapes.  This sets in motion a chain of events that leads to a climatic confrontation between the escapee, Landa, and of course The Basterds.  Aldo Raine wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Strengths: (90% of the film)

This is Quentin Tarantino’s best film since “Pulp Fiction”.  In fact, some might argue that this is his greatest achievement.  The film has violent and brutal moments; but this is not an action film.  Anyone expecting “Saving Private Ryan” or “Black Hawk Down” will be disappointed.  This is a movie rooted in character and dialogue.  Some scenes seem too long; but this is one movie where patience and focused attention to the nuances of conversation are rewarded.  The characters are colorful and engaging.  The dialogue is engrossing, with great lines that will be repeated by film fans for many years to come.  It’s also very funny.  The ensemble cast, led with great glee by Brad Pitt, is just excellent.  In particular, Christoph Waltz is phenomenal as Colonel Landa.  He will be remembered at Oscar time. 
 
 

Weaknesses: (10% of the film)

This movie is not for everyone.  It demands much of the viewer.  You really have to pay attention, and understand that this is a movie about conversation and character, not action.  Still, when there is action it is violent and some would say sadistic.  That being said, it’s one of the best films of the year.