Once upon a time in Nazi occupied France...
Colonel Hans Lada (Waltz), the "Jew Hunter", is sent to France to locate the remaining Jews living there...and get rid of them. He discovers a hidden Jewish family and manages to kill everyone but the daughter, Shosanna (Laurent).
Three years later, a group of eight Jewish American soldiers are recruited by Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Pitt) to be in a special team, nicknamed the "Basterds," to kill and scalp Nazis.
A few months later, the Basterds are well-known and feared by German high command. They have added a former German officer, Sergeant Hugo Stiglitz (Til Schweiger), who killed numerous Nazis before being caught. They use Stiglitz and their other German speaking members to infiltrate German companies and then overtake a slaughter them. The most notorious member, other than Aldo "the Apache" Raine, is Sergeant Donny Donnowitz (Roth) who wields a bat and has been nicknamed the "Bear Jew."
High ranking Nazi officials are planning to host the premiere of a new propaganda film. The theatre is owned by Shosanna under the name Emmanuelle Mimieux. With the aide of her boyfriend, Marcel (Jacky Ido), she plans to get revenge for the death of her family and Jewish friends.
Meanwhile, the British high command find out about the screening, they send Lieutenant Archie Hicox (Michael Fassbender) to join the Basterds and German actress turned spy Bridget von Hammersmark (Kruger) at the premiere. Once the show starts they will kill the Nazis and end the war.
Wow. This is probably the most mainstream film Quentin Tarantino has directed. Typically, his films are told out of sequential order... and bloody.... and they swear a lot. I knew these things going into the film and was expecting more of the same, but was pleasantly surprised. I like his films... except for the excessive blood... and this may be my new favorite (I own "Reservoir Dogs" and really enjoy "Pulp Fiction").
First of all, I need to gush about Christoph Waltz. I can now understand why everyone raves about this character. I mean, he is playing a Nazi and obviously the main villain of the film... but you can't help but be fascinated by the man. He is charming and mesmerizing, while still being incredibly dangerous. He steals the show and every scene he is in.
I don't think there were any weak spots as far as casting, which is surprising since many are playing against type. Brad Pitt is great, spouting off some entertaining lines. Eli Roth's Donnowitz is equally mesmerizing. The woman are beautiful and deadly, and there are some great, unexpected cameos (which I won't spoil for you). The writing was spot on... they juggle several characters with ease (this film is told in sequential order), and throw out some surprises. The colors are vibrant and luxorious.
Highly recommended... unless you have a weak stomach or can't handle blood. But overall worth the lengthy running time (although I was completely immersed and didn't notice the time).
Inglorious Basterds (2009) 153 minutes
Rating: R for strong graphic violence, language and brief sexuality.
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Starring: Brad Pitt as Lt. Aldo Raine
Melanie Laurent as Shosanna Dreyfus
Christoph Waltz as Col. Hans Lada
Eli Roth as Sgt. Donny Donnowitz
Diane Kruger as Bridget von Hammersmark
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