Inglourious Basterds - Video Essay & Analysis

In this video review & analysis, I'm going to deconstruct and analyze Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds released in 2009. From the cover, this film is incredibly entertaining and plot driven. But at the core, Tarantino is alluding to much more. I'll break down many different parts of Inglourious Basterds from what certain scenes mean, to hidden easter eggs within the film, to what Tarantino may have wanted you to see.
Quentin Tarantino is one of the most thought-provoking filmmakers of our lifetime. I hope this analysis on Inglourious Basterds shows you how much meticulous detail Tarantino put into this film. And of course, this type of analysis can be applied to all of Tarantino's films. It is full of hyperreality and intertextuality. Intertexuality is when a writer or director references his or her film via another media (film, tv, music, or the like). You can find plenty of this in his Kill Bill series, Django Unchained, Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, well actually all of his films.
It's funny, a lot of people say this film is a WWII film. But little do they know this isn't about WWII, this is about cinematic history. Enjoy!
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Credits:
Inglourious Basterds
Screenplay by Quentin Tarantino
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Starring Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Mélanie Laurent, Michael Fassbender, Diane Kruger,
Films Referenced (in order of appearance):
Inglourious Basterds (2009) dir. Quentin Tarantino
8 1/2 (1963) dir. Federico Fellini
Pulp Fiction (1994) dir. Quentin Tarantino
Death Rides a Horse (1966) dir.
Kill Bill: Vol 1 (2003) dir. Quentin Tarantino
Gone in 60 Seconds (1974) dir. H.B. Halicki
The Searchers (1956) dir. John Ford
Metropolis (1927) dir. Fritz Lang
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (1966) dir. Sergio Leone
The Mercenary (1968) dir. Sergio Corbucci
Django Unchained (2012) dir. Quentin Tarantino
Django (1966) dir. Sergio Corbucci
Reservoir Dogs (1992) dir. Quentin Tarantino
Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) dir. Sergio Leone
The Director’s Chair (2014) dir. Robert Rodriguez
Breaking Bad - “Fly” (2010) dir. Rian Johnson
The Dirty Dozen (1967) dir. Robert Aldrich
Fight Club (1999) dir. David Fincher
Keeping Up with the Kardashians (2012) E! Entertainment
The Matrix (1999) dir. Lana Wachowski & Lilly Wachowski
Scarface (1983) dir. Brian De Palma
The Cannes Film Festival (1994) hosted by Jeanne Moreau
The 67th Academy Awards (1995) dir. Jeff Margolis
Music Tracks used (in order):
”You Never Can Tell” by Chuck Berry (from Pulp Fiction)
“The Surrender” by Ennio Morricone (from Inglourious Basterds)
“The Verdict” by Ennio Morricone (from Inglourious Basterds)
“One Silver Dollar” by Gianni Ferrio (from Inglourious Basterds)
“Cat People” by David Bowie (from Inglourious Basterds)
“White Lightning” by Charles Bernstein (from Inglourious Basterds)
“Rabbia E Tarantella” by Ennio Morricone (from Inglourious Basterds)

[@PaulKyriazi]

Great analysis. Tarantino said, "I think in the future, Inglourious Basterds will be more well-regarded than Pulp Fiction." I'm starting to feel that way.

[@jenniferbrewer5370]

How the hell does Tarantino come up with a stinkbomb like The Hateful Eight when he's capable of a movie like Basterds?

[@PaulKyriazi]

@@jenniferbrewer5370 - All I can figure is that it's the story choice that makes a movie. More than casting or film technique. And all of us connect or not to each individual story.

[@TorchlightCinema80]

Jennifer Brewer no one shits gold dude, also... I enjoyed the hateful eight.

[@AirCanada1J5]

@@jenniferbrewer5370 because making movies is hard. Can't go back once he's 3/4 want through just because it's not Basterds or Pulp Fiction

[@freindmaker4473]

@@jenniferbrewer5370 the hateful eight is amazing

[@daaave_]

“Fighting in a basement offers a lot of difficulties, number one, your fighting in a basement.” - A wise man

[@dante666jt]

Fight club reference

[@shutupanya]

*your’e

[@trickytreyperfected1482]

@@dante666jt inglourious basterds reference.

[@shmeeproductions8382]

“You didn’t tell me he goddamn Rendezvous was in a fucking basement”

[@HaHa-ge7cf]

@@trickytreyperfected1482 .

[@riddly5491]

Kino is also the German word for movie theater which is what they are referencing

[@LS23]

Ich glaub da is was dran. :D

[@CHFOP-ik1vs]

Es gibt viele Sprachen in denen Kino verwendet wird. Warum er sich auf Russisch festgestzt hat bleibt mir ein Rätsel, vorallem weil es seinen Standpunkt nicht wirklich unterstützt.

[@archangecamilien1879]

Lol, exactly...that's how they say that...anyway, lol, 6:42, I think he's reaching...I mean, lol, reading too much into it...I seriously doubt it...

[@OdinMMA]

Kino is the German for cinema too which could be a reference to the importance of both Russian and German early cinema that were pioneering in the early days before so many European directors fled to the US.

[@BardProductions]

Good lookout @OdinMMA 👍

[@jimmyalex5276]

It has nothing to do with Russian, it’s just when you type it in to google translate that is the first one to pop up, or this guy knew a little Russian. Thank you for letting him know it’s german, the entire title of chapter 4 is german, operation is german with the same meaning as in English.

[@bennybar]

It's obviously a reference to the Danish word for cinema

[@nikolajmadsen1002]

@@bennybar it's not Danish, cinema in Danish would be biograf.

[@guyincognito320]

Implying Jews are European

[@Happymali10]

"Kino" is Cinema in German

[@zombie3beast822]

Max S. Thats what I said !

[@Elcrisso1]

“Movie theatre” in German, more precisely. Albeit, the word does still mean “Cinema” in Russian, but the former would be more relevant in this context

[@bennybar]

Also in Danish

[@lupadapupa1957]

@@Elcrisso1 kino in russian means both movie theatre and cinema but sounds in a different way, so german really is more relevant

[@kierz66]

Kino der toten

[@asterginete3812]

Can't believe it's been a decade since this was released. Still my favorite Tarantino movie.

[@koreto1769]

Who else was today years old when they found out that was Harvey Keitel on the phone in Inglorious Basterds hahah

[@BrianOMahonyPhotography]

What a brilliant analysis of this brilliant film...and it certainly makes sense!

[@marnixmaximus3053]

Kino means cinema in Deutsch

[@pan00liz]

Tarantino is at the top and this is his masterpiece indeed.

[@michaelhudak9695]

This video deserves more views, really great!

[@BardProductions]

Thank you boss, really appreciate it!

[@theriptide9461]

@@BardProductions like the comment if u appreciate it

[@tarragonpowder8724]

The French cinema idea is stretching it. Otherwise a good video. (However, Tarantino wanted to play as Aldo Raine, but he changed his mind halfway through finishing the script and gave the character to Brad Pitt.)

[@Young_Dab]

Honestly every actor involved in this movie did a phenomenal job there's really no need for Tarantino to be in it and I think he knew this.

[@edaselinnohutcu8243]

Hahah great interpretation of the ending: QT vs The Academy. The Masterpiece. Loved your editing as well. Great work!

[@Schneter]

4:10 Kino also means Cinema in German. That makes a lot more sense.

[@zaqvoir4856]

"it's only a movie" ~ Alfred Hitchcock he might have added "loaded with McGuffins"

[@LowTierFallout]

People are, ironically, reaching themselves by saying this whole video is stretch. Yes, parts of it are questionable, but a lot of it is spot on and shows a great understanding of film history.

[@TurboRoggy]

Wow, that comparison of Aldo to Quentin was eye-opening. How did I not make the connection before?

[@waterwarrior3666]

That last scene is still stomach-churning

[@Thespeedrap]

Brad Pitt is awesome I like both Fight Club and Inglorious Basterds.

[@odin3416]

thanks Marcel

[@theworldisajojoreference8342]

Don't forget Megamind where he played Metro Man

[@earthang3l]

@@theworldisajojoreference8342 what😮

[@errwhattheflip]

He's also amazing in Se7en

[@MadManMiles]

Excellent video man, really well edited!

[@BardProductions]

Thanks MadManMiles! Appreciate it

[@gomezroyale3365]

Awesome analysis man! Really eye-opening

[@BardProductions]

Thank you man!

[@karanvirkooner1993]

I love Inglorious Basterds as one of my favorite revenge movies

[@chiffmonkey]

If you think it's a revenge movie, you have been duped.

[@itsvoksal4273]

You would like Kill Bill then xD

[@FrozenRat161]

@@chiffmonkey It has been stated that interpreting it as a revenge movie is not wrong either by the very director of the movie, so...

[@chiffmonkey]

@@FrozenRat161 I guess if you take it as Tarrantino's revenge against Hollywood.

[@FrozenRat161]

@@chiffmonkey No, specificly as getting revenge on the nazis. It was said that this interpretation is not the exclusive one but that it is also true.

[@parthpant8894]

What an amazing analysis! this video needs more views.:)

[@a_cowwithlegs]

That final line makes a lot more sense when you look at the movie the way you described it.

[@82ghall]

the more you see the film you find new things

[@anotherDnightmare]

Donnie. YEA?! My favorite part. 😂

[@jd291]

Knocked it out of the park

[@mikeymex_kinda]

I believe that the scenes with Shoshanna in the film room changing the film reels 7:40 is a shoutout to a Tarantino favorite "Blow Out" by Brian De Palma.

[@marilu1960]

Thanks so much for the excellent essay!

[@NiceGamingHU]

pretty well recommended by YT good job Max, i liked it especially the end, that Aldo is Tarantino :)

[@vincentwinkleblech3614]

I know I’m being something of a “ Stickler” here. The Name of maybe the second most notorious Nazi and the Minister of Propaganda is pronounced “ Gerbles” not “ Gobels

[@81millionvotes]

The last word spoken.."masterpiece"..i don't think that was an accident.

[@jpsned]

3:55 "Not only does Tarantino reference other films, but the film industry is baked into the plot." In the meeting with Churchill, Archie and Mike Myers' character General Ed Fenech, they speak in a Received Pronounciation accent, an artificial accent that was adopted by both high society and also by the movie industry in the 1940s to make people sound smart.

[@HighlanderNorth1]

🤔 I missed that, maybe because it just wasnt so blatantly obvious, like Brad Pitt's awful southern accent! Tarantino could've hired a more competent, more suitable leading man, AND saved millions of dollars to boot. Compared with Brad Pitt's overall performance, both of the 2 primary female actresses were FAR more convincing in their roles, as were most of the supporting actors. Christ, Steven Seagal, would've been at least as convincing as Brad Pitt. 🤡

[@nostalgiatrip7331]

@@HighlanderNorth1 yeah ngl brad pitts performance was my least favorite part

[@errwhattheflip]

@@HighlanderNorth1 Personally, I think the bad accent by Pitt was intentional, as a lot of the comedy in the film is heightened by said accent.

[@theriptide9461]

Great video, I love this movie

[@BardProductions]

Thanks bud

[@singIeservingfriend]

I love this film!

[@MIKELIN8]

I absolutely loved this movie the first time I saw it. I still do.

[@goblintinkler9927]

Have you seen Stalingrad (1993)

[@aptonymic3014]

you missed the most obvious Leone reference 1:57

[@lizardskinyrd9441]

This is one of those few movies that i can watch over and over.

[@joekurtz8303]

Opening bad guy setup is crucial. Had same experience in Jr high stage play, in second act, I was booed by crowd, I knew I nailed the crowd and character.....

[@jonathan108]

Something you didn't bring is that there is no 'classical' war scene in that movie. The only war scenes are in the movie projected in the theatre. Tarantino didn't even realise that part, letting Eli Roth do the job. It's like if Tarantino said: You won't see a war flick, if you want to see one, you'll have to check someone else's movie.

[@virajbhide2306]

By far the best ending of a Tarantino film. Great material in the video too

[@goblintinkler9927]

Have you seen Stalingrad (1993) ??

[@adithyamenon5207]

" Bawn Journal " - Enzo Gurlawmi

[@sealife12]

That quote about fanboys and Tarantino was so unconvincing and hollow.

[@jamesporter6288]

Crazy I would have never put all this together!

[@muzzaball]

Very well written Sir, very well written indeed!

[@BardProductions]

Thank you sir!

[@XxTheGoOfYxX]

And yet to people like me seeing the side by side of each movie makes me appreciate his movies more and now want to see all those other films

[@Thespeedrap]

Tarantino is a hack to copy everything it makes other filmmakers look like leaders while Tarantino just a follower.

[@XxTheGoOfYxX]

@@Thespeedrap oof you sound a lot like my friend. Sorry for your loss.

[@XxTheGoOfYxX]

@@Thespeedrap sorry you can't see the the beauty of what he keeps alive in his films that inspires him to make them

[@Thespeedrap]

@@XxTheGoOfYxX well tell me why is he retiring then hell Martin Scorsese Steven Spielberg and old Ridley Scott still making pictures in their 70's why can he do it.That seems like he's run out of ideas.

[@Thespeedrap]

@@XxTheGoOfYxX if you and I want to make movies we would watch the classics than see someone who just copy's what we all see.

[@wes6571]

Great stuff!

[@BardProductions]

Thanks!

[@simonquintana1662]

Good vid good job!

[@BardProductions]

Thank you sir!

[@whitleypedia]

Shoshanna s godlike face is supposed to remind us of the ark killing the Nazis in Raiders

[@wesidk5662]

damn Forrest Gump vs. Pulp Fiction. What a year

[@carrotcake6572]

“A wolf-like character?” Are you fr rn

[@Scoldy_]

Not wolf-like, Wolfe-like. In Pulp Fiction he plays a character named Wolfe, and over the phone his tone and way of speaking is similar to his other character.

[@olegyefremov2583]

That's a Bingo!

[@worldcitizeng6507]

how long did it take to make this analysis? or you are working in the film industry for a long time?

[@jakovtucak5550]

This is some serious over analyzing

[@duvidefit3123]

I think so too, the whole film is half baked and inconsistent

[@mihajlopanic8516]

I cant believe you didnt notice Samuel L Jackson narrating the Hugo Stiglitz scene, but great video

[@Nokpest11]

thought the same :D

[@macmcleod1188]

Apparently Tarantino wore a fire suit to film the burning theater. And the fire got out of control. And none of the actors wanted to leave. And some were treated for burns. And firemarshal said the fire was so hot that the steel roof was close to collapsing on the actors.

[@georgeedward1226]

Kino is cinema in German too.

[@ricardoherrera4042]

he did the same with once upon a time

[@therugburnz]

Mabey QT likes making movies.

[@101RealTalker]

Wonder what would've been covered here about Sandler if he took the role.

[@anuragsingh9561]

There's a term called over-analysis.... It's like the english teacher saying write 500 words why the character's favourite color was blue.

[@stevem5788]

How can an 8-minute video essay of a 2.5-hour film be overanalysis? If anything, this is underanalysis and also spot on.

[@emiliorugerio]

Great video analysis. But I believe it’s more relevant to say that Kino means Cinema in German as well. (4:09)

[@gringasho7387]

Why arent there more reviews like thissss?

[@JulAnPo]

Where did you this good quality download?

[@Ervilhaification748]

Great video! One tho tho, in 4:10 kino is also a German word

[@N3mE5iss]

Behind Göhring is Himmler

[@proman4592]

The narrator pronounces Gobels as gobbels,as in,a hungry man gobbels down the food.....in professional in my opinion.. Any thoughts..???

[@kananramakrishnan7590]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@emmanuelfernandez1259]

*GOBBLES*

[@stay4sho804]

If y’all haven’t watched, please watch it on Netflix. It’s awesome. Very good. 👌🏽

[@duwb0]

It's actually on KZbin too, for anyone who can't afford to buy it.

[@i-like-Whales]

DJ and TTT the best 😉

[@mvd3775]

4:15 Kino also means cinema in German

[@marinakanargia]

is the song at 2:35 in the IB soundtrack?

[@BardProductions]

Yes that is "One Silver Dollar (Un Dollaro Bucato)"

[@Twocat5side]

4:10 Kino means Cinema in German Idk think naming it in russian is appropriate for this mission

[@bowlbs3631]

once upon a time in hollywood

[@the-lilabro9697]

Kino also means cinema in German.

[@michaelthomaskumpmann7768]

Kino is also german for Cinema.

[@benquinney2]

My name is Quentin,Quentin Tarantino

[@xanajak]

Tarantino's Basterds is the best movie of the last 20 years and will go down as one of the top 5 movies of all time, maybe even the best ever. And yeah, I know that's quite a lofty statement bordering on preposterous ... but is it? Waltz's Landa is the best character of the last 20 years, maybe longer, maybe ever. Out of nowhere he appeared and created a character that you couldn't forget even if someone were to cut out your brain. His performance was fucking devastating and the movie would be nothing without Chapter 1. You can go down the line and make similar declarations about the chapters and characters within them. Fassbender's first scene with Myers was a bingo and was then reinforced by the basement slaughter. I'll stop there because this comment would go on for a long time.

[@codythedoggo7671]

"Kino" also means Theater in German

[@Qwerty-of4cy]

kino is cinema in german polish russian and some other languages i think

[@natural]

Great analysis up until the allegory stuff at the end.. don’t go that path.. it’s cheap… stay within the frames of the film without going into far fetched let me show you some magic stuff

[@NaimHrustanovic]

Joseph Gobbles LOL

[@lennycarl0099]

Reaching at best

[@sam8404]

5:23 Joseph Gobbles

[@BPRbuster]

I don’t care what any critics say, TARANTINO IS A FUCKING ARTISTIC GENIUS!!! I really am appalled that Forest Gump won the Oscar for Best Film over Pulp Fiction. At the end of the day Forest Gump is a VERY forgettable movie. Pulp Fiction was an INSTANT cult classic and one hell-of-a movie. FUCK GUMP!!!

[@babbisp1]

2:38

[@lupadapupa1957]

Kino in Russian sounds like kinO, so that's kinda incorrect. I'd say it's German.

[@bilc3868]

Kino is in German

[@linusgampfer6471]

Kino is German

[@John_Malka-tits]

"As the French theorists Jean Bojellard..." Bro if you can't get the guys name right, you probably can't understand what he has to say.

[@GustavoSilva-ny8jc]

0:10 Red Wedding be like:

[@benquinney2]

He’s seen every movie

[@georgebryant7721]

no s

[@tanishadarkar9210]

i think inglorious basterds is the best tarantino flim

[@gringasho7387]

Sigue haciendo videos;(

[@Bumbaclartios]

Joseph Gobbles

[@defunkd90]

It kind of does rewrite history though.

[@moltoni6706]

Kino is german

[@jaheim_the_omnipotent4875]

Kino is german for cinema

[@sutoeben]

Kino is German😁