I decided to write you a “letter” (or its fictional equivalent) after watching Inglourious Basterds. Fact is, it became automatically my favorite film of all times. I recently read a convoluted article (like all film critics like to write them) in which you stated that your only goal as a filmmaker was to inspire that feeling in members of your audience; make them feel that the film they just saw is the best one they will ever see. Well, I felt that and that’s why I’m writing this: to leave a written proof of it, at least in cyberspace.

But enough justification, let’s move on to the details. I’ve been trying to explain to myself why IB had such an impact in me and I’ve come to the conclusion that it mixes everything I love about movies, films and everything that floats around. WWII and German history are two of my favorite subjects in films, the music is spectacular, the script feels like an opera, the characters have that deep and long-time relationship with the audience and well, you’re one hell of a director (disclosure: I’m a long-time fan of yours since that ’94 work of art left a mark in me for ever).

I want to praise the exhausting due diligence you performed to be in a position to make IB. Not only the decision to be true to the spoken languages in the film, but the fact that the historical susceptibilities of the plot are treated with respect and cultural conscience. The process itself of scouting and recruiting the cast and the overall talent feel like a masterpiece. Although the film doesn’t intend to be historically accurate, all your cinematic obsessions were taken to the time of the plot with care and thoughtful deliberation.

I must admit that the entire film feels a little chopped. It’s no secret that it was intended to be way longer but the commercial connotations we all know made you edit fast and take out complete scenes. At this point I can only hope you’ll let us see them sometime in a special edition blue ray or, better yet, at the movies, like it should be.

Kudos to that visionary individual who put Christoph Waltz in front of your eyes and obviously all my respect and admiration to him because his multilingual, delicate and mind-blowing performance has given birth to one of the most transcendental villains in the history of filmmaking.

Finally, congratulations to you because, at least in me you have always (and most definitely with IB) left that feeling when watching the credits roll: “this is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen inside a movie theater”

Inglouriously yours,

A long-time fan

Tags: basterds, Film, inglourious, tarantino