Quentin Tarantino has been working on his WWII epic, Inglourious Basterds, for the better part of a decade. Like most of his films, it is a tribute to other films that have inspired him, particularly Enzo Castellari’s 1978 Italian film Quel maledetto treno blindato, which was released as Inglorious Bastards in the U.S.
The Plot
Tarantino’s epic has the potential of turning the WWII film genre on its head when it's unleashed this summer. It follows a group of Jewish-American soldiers who agree to partake in a mission whose sole aim is to slaughter as many Nazis as humanly possible. They are lead by a Tennessee hillbilly with a mysterious rope burn around his neck named Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt).
Their tale converges with that of a young Jewish woman named Shoshanna Dreyfus (Melanie Laurent) whose family has been slaughtered by the Nazis. She learns that the Nazis plan to screen a propaganda film at the Parisian theatre she works at, setting the stage for her revenge.
So Many Players, So Little Space
Brad Pitt as Aldo Raine, and Mike Myers in a smaller role as British General Ed Fenech are the most obvious stars, but it has been made very clear that this is an ensemble piece. The film is cast with an impressive list of primarily little known actors, the most recognizable being Samm Levine from Freaks and Geeks, B.J. Novak from The Office, and Hostel director Eli Roth.
Other notable actors are Maggie Cheung (Ashes of Time, Hero), Michael Fassbender (300), Julie Dreyfus (Kill Bill), and Diane Kruger (Troy, National Treasure). Basterds is already being touted as containing the most speaking roles out of any of Tarantino’s previous films.
Early Buzz
The original script leaked months ago, and has garnered a great deal of positive feedback from those with no qualms about dulling the surprise. The teaser trailer was recently released online, and fans were quick to devour it.
The teaser focuses primarily on the Basterds, showcasing the no holds barred action that will undoubtedly occur widely throughout the film. It remains to be seen if Germans will get a fair shake, but Tarantino isn’t making an eye-opening documentary or anything.
Tarantino and War
The only rather cringe-worthy element in the teaser are the words “You haven’t seen war/ Until you’ve seen it through the eyes/ of Quentin Tarantino.” There is perhaps a more tactful way of saying that Tarantino is a bad ass without maybe irritating the hell out of people who have actually seen war.
It isn’t likely, however, that there are many people looking to Tarantino to clarify the experience of war. By now the auteur’s style is very clear, and anyone who feels mislead should perhaps crawl back under their rock.
Cannes Ready
The film has met its goal of finishing production in time to ready a cut for the Cannes Film Festival in May. In the meantime, fans will await a full trailer, and the drool will keep dribbling until August 21.
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