World War II movies are not usually associated with popular culture. Screenwriters use themes of Nazi oppression, the brutality of war, and the bravery of the allied forces, which have been cultivated for over seventy years. Yet, one of the most well-known and controversial movies about World War II, Inglourious Basterds by Quentin Tarantino, is surprisingly densely packed with references to popular culture. Not only does the film relate to mainstream ideas in society, but also the film characters themselves have lines about entertainment that is enjoyed by most people. The way Inglourious Basterds is structured underscores Tarantino’s deconstruction of the Americanization of the Holocaust and the overall effect that popular culture has on society.
The first idea that Inglourious Basterds relates to is the Americanization of the Holocaust. The genocide committed by Nazis against Jews is a recurring theme in writing, on screen, and on stage. It is also an important part of the world’s history that is taught around the world. The fact that Holocaust itself is portrayed in movies is not surprising or new. However, each portrayal differs in the lessons that the audience should learn from it. Langford argues that the American popular culture has framed US social values as the most appropriate substitute for Nazi ideology (17). Subsequently, most of the movies released in the last forty years have promoted the tendency of the Americanization of the Holocaust.
The difference in the case of Inglourious Basterds is that it actually inverts this popular trend. The Jewish American characters are portrayed as bloodthirsty as their Nazi adversaries. The film ends with the violent destruction of the Nazi High Command. However, Tarantino specifically makes their death scene grotesque, thus subverting the usual expectation of American justice (Langford 16). Whereas most popular culture films depict heroic characters who fight morally degraded Nazis, Inglourious Basterds showcases protagonists whose methods are not different from the ones used by Nazis.
The second idea that Inglourious Basterds relates to is the significance of popular culture for society. Paradoxically, this war film is about movies rather than war. The importance of films in society is restated on numerous occasions. It is evident in Lieutenant Hicox’s discussion about the way German propaganda uses movies and the numerous references to real films made by characters (Hussein 5). The plot revolves around Nazi leadership gathering to watch a movie, which is an in-universe example of popular culture.
The reason why this idea is relevant lies in the potential impact that mainstream entertainment can have on people. In essence, the entire plot of the movie is that the most powerful tool of the German ideology – filmmaking – became the downfall of the Third Reich. However, a more sinister message is that revenge drama is also a part of popular culture (Langford 17). Inglourious Basterds satirizes the social demand for historical justice and American victory in World War II.
Altogether, Inglourious Basterds emphasizes the significance of popular culture by challenging the mainstream tendency of the Americanization of the Holocaust. In comparison with the traditional juxtaposition of American values against Nazi ideology, Tarantino presents a different viewpoint on popular culture. The classic heroism of American soldiers is replaced with the portrayal of vengeful and violent guerilla fighters. Inglourious Basterds may be seen as a warning that as much as mainstream entertainment may empower a certain idea, the same medium may cause its downfall.
Works Cited
Hussein, Nadine. “”Inglorious Basterds:” A Satirical Criticism of WWII Cinema and the Myth of the American War Hero.” Inquiries Journal, vol. 13, no. 2, ,2021, pp. 1-10.
Langford, Barry. “Un-American? Or Just ‘Inglourious’? Reflections on the ‘Americanization of the Holocaust’ from Langer to Tarantino.” The Journal of Holocaust Research, vol. 34, no. 4, 2020, pp. 370-387.