Release: 2009-08-02
Runtime: 2h 33m (153 minutes)
In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as "The Basterds" are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. The Basterds, lead by Lt. Aldo Raine soon cross paths with a French-Jewish teenage girl who runs a movie theater in Paris which is targeted by the soldiers.
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Provided by JustWatch
Genres: Drama, Thriller, War
Cast: Brad Pitt, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Fassbender, more
Brad Pitt
as LT. Aldo Raine
Samuel L. Jackson
as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Michael Fassbender
as LT. Archie Hicox
Quentin Tarantino
as First Scalped Nazi / American Soldier in 'Pride of Nation' (uncredited)
Diane Kruger
as Bridget von Hammersmark
Christoph Waltz
as COL. Hans Landa
Léa Seydoux
as Charlotte LaPadite
Mélanie Laurent
as Shosanna
Mike Myers
as General Ed Fenech
Harvey Keitel
as OSS Commander Who Agrees to Deal (voice) (uncredited)
Til Schweiger
as SGT. Hugo Stiglitz
Daniel Brühl
as Fredrick Zoller
In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a group of Jewish-American soldiers known as "The Basterds" are chosen specifically to spread fear throughout the Third Reich by scalping and brutally killing Nazis. The Basterds, lead by Lt. Aldo Raine soon cross paths with a French-Jewish teenage girl who runs a movie theater in Paris which is targeted by the soldiers.
A basterd's work is never done.
Inglourious Basterds is a war film released on 21 August 2009, directed and written by Quentin Tarantino. The film stars prominent actors including Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, and Mélanie Laurent and blends action with dark humor.
The narrative is set during World War II and presents an alternate history where two plots to assassinate the Nazi leadership converge. One plot involves a group of Jewish-American soldiers, referred to as the "Basterds," led by First Lieutenant Aldo Raine (played by Pitt). The other revolves around Shosanna Dreyfus (Laurent), a French Jewish cinema owner seeking revenge for her family's murder.
Waltz's portrayal of the villainous Hans Landa, known as the "Jew Hunter," has been met with widespread acclaim. The film's unique storytelling style and strong performances contributed to its critical success, including eight Academy Award nominations, with Waltz winning for Best Supporting Actor.
The film had a budget of $70 million and grossed over $321 million globally, making it Tarantino's highest-grossing film until it was surpassed by Django Unchained in 2012. Its premiere took place at the Cannes Film Festival on 20 May 2009, where it received an eight to eleven-minute standing ovation, highlighting its impact on audiences and critics alike.
Critics have given Inglourious Basterds positive reviews, noting its engaging plot and stylistic choices. Rotten Tomatoes reports a positive rating from 89% of critics, while Metacritic assigns it a score of 69 out of 100, indicating generally favorable reviews. Audience reactions have also been largely positive, with many praising the film’s entertainment value.
The film's soundtrack is eclectic, featuring various music genres, which adds to its unique atmosphere. Tarantino's ability to blend different styles has solidified his reputation as a creative filmmaker.
In conclusion, Inglourious Basterds stands out as a significant work in both Tarantino's filmography and the genre of war films. Its combination of humor, action, and emotional depth resonates with a wide audience, making it a modern classic.
