Inglourious Basterds

Review by Brad Wing-Quay

Inglourious Basterds… where do I begin?

Quentin Tarantino’s latest film offering had it’s Australian premiere at MIFF this year, with the man himself in attendance, and from audience reaction - it’s a hit.

I’m not going to lie to you; Quentin Tarantino isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when asked about my favourite movies and/or directors.

Much like a food pyramid, I put Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill under "sometimes films" but Tarantino’s latest offering is an entirely different story...

Presenting its audience with brutal violence and comedic relief, Inglourious Basterds works in a way that only Tarantino could pull off.

Starting with "Once Upon a Time… In Nazi Occupied France", the film immediately feels like a World War II spaghetti western in which we endure our first encounter with Nazi Colnel Hans Landa (an incredible performance by this years Cannes Best Actor winner, Christoph Waltz).

Nicknamed "The Jew Hunter", Landa’s efforts in putting Hitler’s "Final Solution" into effect gives him instant notoriety and kicks off one of the most intense openings to a film I can recall seeing... ever!

"The Basterds" (mentioned in the film’s title) are led by Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) along with "Bear Jew" Donnie Donowitz (Eli Roth) and are a group of men chosen to spread fear amongst the Nazi’s by brutally killing as many as possible.

When the entire Nazi high command target a movie theatre in Paris to host their event, the Basterds cross paths with the cinema owner Shosanna Dreyfuss (Melanie Laurent), who also realises the potential outcome of what the evening brings.

Dreyfuss is hell bent on revenge after a prior incident with the Nazi’s and is determined, along with the Basterds and Bridget von Hammersmark (Diane Kruger), to end the Nazi’s reign in foul swoop.

Interestingly, despite Tarantino’s reputation for copious amounts of graphic violence, Inglourious Basterds forgoes this and relies more on highly witty dialogue and lengthy scenes.

Diehard fans, however, wont be disappointed as the gore Tarantino is renowned for (however brief) does the trick with full force (Did I mention "Bear Jew" has a weapon of choice... called a baseball bat?).

Despite the apparent lack of violence, it does little to deter the audience and holds them captivate for the entire 150 minute running time.

Taking a wild-ride through Tarantino’s "WWII Nazi Fairytale" is like going to the playground and getting punched in the face.

Described by Eli Roth himself as "Jewish Revenge Porn", Inglourious Basterds is definitely up there with Tarantino’s best work and fans and critic’s alike wont be left disappointed.

And just quietlly - I think Tarantino just may have made a film I can consider more than a "sometimes film".

4 out of 5

Inglourious Basterds
Australian release: 20th August, 2009
Official Site: Inglourious Basterds
Cast: Brad Pitt, Mélanie Laurent, Eli Roth, Christoph Waltz, Diane Kruger
Director: Quentin Tarantino