Inglourious Basterds

During the Nazi occupation of France in World War II, a small team of Jewish American soldiers known as the Basterds is deployed to destabilize the Third Reich through fearless, bloody raids. Led by Lt. Aldo Raine, they strike terror into their enemies while pursuing a raw, unorthodox form of justice. Their mission collides with Shosanna, a French Jewish woman who runs a cinema in Paris and carries a quiet, scarred past. As their stories converge, plans, loyalties, and disguises weave a tense tapestry that could alter the course of the war. The film frames these intersecting lives with humor, grit and a trademark Tarantino edge, all without spoiling the human cost of war. That balance between nail biting suspense and cheeky bravado is a Tarantino hallmark that drives the film.

Released in 2009, Inglourious Basterds was written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. It is an original screenplay not based on prior material, featuring a stellar cast led by Brad Pitt, Mélanie Laurent, Christoph Waltz, Eli Roth and Michael Fassbender.

At the Academy Awards Inglourious Basterds earned multiple nominations and won two prizes. Tarantino took Best Original Screenplay and Christoph Waltz won Best Supporting Actor for his chilling portrayal of Hans Landa. The film also earned nominations in several major categories including Best Picture and Best Director.

Cultural impact: Christoph Waltz's Hans Landa became a touchstone for modern villains, delivering both menace and sly humor with restrained precision. The film's audacious reimagining of World War II tropes resonated in pop culture, fueling discussions and parodies and shaping a distinct Tarantino edge.

Reception and themes: Critics praised the bold mix of satire and violence, Tarantino's confident direction, and the ensemble cast. The film explores revenge, propaganda, and the cost of fanaticism, while asking how cinema can shape memory and myth in wartime.