Quentin Tarantino‘s 2009 film ‘Inglourious Basterds‘ is a gory, violent, and entertaining movie set during World War II. The movie follows a group of Jewish-American soldiers who are on a mission to kill as many Nazis as possible. The film was a critical and commercial success, and many people have been left wondering if it’s based on a true story.
The short answer is no. ‘Inglourious Basterds‘ is not based on a true story. While the movie includes some historical references and is set during World War II, it’s important to note that the film is a work of fiction. Quentin Tarantino is known for his unique style and often borrows from different genres to create his movies. In the case of ‘Inglourious Basterds,’ Tarantino has taken elements of history and combined them with his own imagination to create a unique story.
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‘Inglourious Basterds’: Historical References
Despite being a work of fiction, ‘Inglourious Basterds’ includes several historical references. The movie is set in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, and several characters in the film are based on real people. For example, Colonel Hans Landa, played by Christoph Waltz, is based on a real SS officer named Dieter Hellstrom. Similarly, Winston Churchill and Adolf Hitler make appearances in the movie, and the film’s climax takes place during a screening of a Nazi propaganda film called ‘Nation’s Pride.’
However, it’s important to remember that the movie takes liberties with history. The story of the Basterds themselves is entirely fictional. There was no group of Jewish-American soldiers on a mission to kill as many Nazis as possible. Similarly, the assassination plot against Hitler depicted in the movie is entirely fictional. While there were several attempts on Hitler’s life during World War II, none of them were successful.
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The Influence Of Spaghetti Westerns
One of the most notable influences on ‘Inglourious Basterds‘ is the Spaghetti Western genre, which refers to a film made in Europe by an Italian director showcasing life in the American Wild West. The movie is divided into chapters, much like a Western, and features plenty of gunfights and shootouts. The film’s title is also a reference to a 1978 Spaghetti Western called ‘The Inglorious Bastards.’ Quentin Tarantino has cited this movie as an influence on ‘Inglourious Basterds,’ although the two films have very little in common beyond the title.
Another Western influence on the movie is the character of Aldo Raine, played by Brad Pitt. Raine is a tough, charismatic leader who speaks with a Southern accent and has a penchant for violence. He’s very much a classic Western hero, transplanted into a World War II setting. The character is partly based on real-life World War II soldier Audie Murphy, who was also a Western movie star.
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