Inglourious Basterds (2009) — A Bold Alternate History War Film
Directed by Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds is a gripping war film that reimagines history with two converging plots to assassinate Nazi leadership during World War II. The story follows First Lieutenant Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt) and his team of Jewish-American soldiers, known as the “Basterds,” who carry out guerrilla warfare against the Nazis. Meanwhile, Shosanna Dreyfus (Mélanie Laurent), a French-Jewish cinema owner, plans her own revenge against the Nazis who murdered her family.
The film features an ensemble cast, including Christoph Waltz, Michael Fassbender, Eli Roth, Diane Kruger, and Daniel Brühl, with Waltz’s portrayal of Hans Landa earning him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Released on August 21, 2009, it was a commercial success, grossing $321.5 million worldwide, and received critical acclaim for its performances, screenplay, and bold storytelling.