by Lou Rountree

Created on: February 07, 2010   Last Updated: February 21, 2010

Quentin Tarantino’s new film was fantastic and presented an insight into the true brilliance of his creation.  Only he could take an empty vehicle, load it up with interesting characters and deviate the well known plot to a new finish by milking his actors dry to achieve reality and entertainment. Along the way Tarantino manages to take the hated German Nazi’s and reduce them to the lowest common denominator of just being human beings caught up in the great demands of a country under the spell of a madman. 

The German language is stripped of its gutteral- like emanations and the more toy-like, innate expressions serve well to reveal that even Dieter Hellstrom, the Nazi SS Officer, is likable with his wanting to have the fun of the card name, guessing game and not be left out.  This after his magnificent entrance into the seating of Wilhelm’s celebrating German soldiers and the “Kill Adolph” crew of Americans, Basterds and one very savvy German actress, Von  Hammersmark. Masterfully, he has Dieter turn off the barely audible sound of a record’s end track static to full quietness before he pursues his duties of investigation of the strange German accent of the English Captain. Having assured absolute quietness for his questioning, only then does he continue to methodically seek the answer.

In probably the best scene of the movie, the Nadine Restaurant  shootout, Dieter’s  questions bare down on the confident Captain’s cool banter whilst Von Hammersmark makes the Captain the butt of a funny joke with an expert, finesse  testimonial and Dieter is indeed, disarmed and worms his way to joining the table.  But, curiosity killed the cat and Dieter pursues the Captain’s reason for being in town even using a jocular sissy boy comment of self deprecation.  It proves to be a Faux Pax, for sure.  Dieter begins to try to make up by offering “to die for 33 year old drinks.”  The English Captain relaxes and succinctly orders Drei Glasse for the drinks but, with a wave of the hand he betrays his cover by indicating with out using the thumb.

The ensuing eye to eye confrontation is about as deadly serious as two dedicated killers can get without raising  the conversation a tad. Like Snuffy Smith, the only remedy is death by Great Balls of Fire and both men know it. The cold silence reminds one of two Cobras facing off for the kill. Quinton’s solution

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