Reviews

I don't know why IMDb is carrying such a negative review of this classic film on the front page. But I'm happy to note a lot of very positive reviews thereafter. Not much more I can add, but this is one of the classics of the golden era of film-making, without the CGI, hyped-up violence, obsessive sexuality and general lack of any kind of emotional depth of current popular cinema. While being in that category (popular cinema), this film is still great entertainment, often going pretty "deep". And there are of course the bonuses of the legendary Robert Shaw, the unforgettable beauty of Jacqueline Bisset, a young Nick Nolte full of promise, a wonderful score by John Barry, and plenty of evocative scenery, both below and above sea level.

I have just had the good fortune of seeing this movie 15 years after its making. Of all the the ubiquitous Pacino-De Niro -paired films, this one is easily the most outstanding. The direction is as tight as a Led Zeppelin concert, the cinematography is simply breathtaking, the major players are larger-than-life yet believable, the action sequences are exquisitely choreographed and finished to near-perfection. The moral questions the movie raises are an interesting side-issue as well. Not to mention the way the plot examines the flawed, but redeemable, relationships of post-modernity. In the end, one has become so involved as to try to stop the subtle plot from fulfillment. The suspense at the end builds to an almost unbearable climax, and the denouement is as brilliant, and human, and deeply moving, as they come... I would specially commend the music here.. it is just superb. They do not make movies like this any more. Michael Mann, you the man, where you went?

This movie promised to be one of Tarantino's best.. with the exquisite beginning (the subtle tension, the gradual build-up of the charming Colonel who chillingly transforms into the hunter - fabulous job from Chris Waltz), the intriguing middle part with its mysterious and haunting scenarios, the introduction of the exquisite Shosanna (Melanie Laurent) in her new avatar as cinema-owner, the Basterds themselves on their glorious vengeance trail (Brad Pitt deserves particular mention as a great character actor in this part of the movie), and Diane Kruger in all her beauty playing a rather nervous but credible role (the only in- credible role being that of the person who played Hitler himself).. despite the great build-up, however, this humdinger of a movie collapses into farce in the end, leaving one wondering what exactly was the director's intention..with such a tremendous start and accelerating suspense combined with some of the most divinely-cinematographed sequences, one is led to expect a great denouement.. what one gets however is a typical, Pulp-Fiction, Quentin Tarantino ending which is completely meaningless and indeed comical. All said and done however, a great effort and a movie well worth the watch for its many many memorable moments and characters.