Podcast Summary: "The 25 Best Movies of the Century: No. 4 – 'Inglourious Basterds’"

Podcast: The Big Picture (The Ringer)
Hosts: Sean Fennessey & Amanda Dobbins
Date: November 19, 2025

Overview:

Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins continue their countdown of the 25 best movies of the 21st century. In this special live episode at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, they spotlight their #4 pick: Quentin Tarantino’s "Inglourious Basterds." The conversation dives deep into the film’s making, its legacy, performances, and why it represents Tarantino’s best work of this century.

Key Discussion Points & Insights:

1. Why "Inglourious Basterds" Deserves the Spot

One Film per Director Rule: This episode is their Tarantino entry, and “Pulp Fiction” was ineligible because it was released in 1994. They debated “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” “Kill Bill,” “Death Proof,” and “Django Unchained,” but ultimately chose "Basterds" due to its singular impact.
Scene Writing as Tarantino’s Genius: Sean argues that the secret art of moviemaking is writing “unbelievable scene after unbelievable scene,” and claims this film is the “ultimate master of scene writing.”

“Every moment in this movie is fun... this is the very highest example of why Tarantino, to me, is the ultimate master of scene writing.” – Sean (03:22)
Both hosts cite the film’s endless rewatchability:

“It’s really just like just one more, or maybe just one more of this.” – Amanda (03:50)
Major Set Pieces: They single out the opening interrogation sequence and "Operation Kino" as two of the century’s great set pieces (04:00).

2. The Craft & Structure

Revisionist History: The film’s "what if" premise (Nazis annihilated in a Paris cinema) was controversial at the time but now feels more like a commentary on movie history and catharsis.

“This is a real movie of catharsis... even though a lot of our heroes are killed... When you get to the end of this movie... I'm like, yes, yes, we did it.” – Sean (13:26)
Movies About Movies: Amanda highlights the meta-layer: the plot is driven and shaped by movies—the theater, a film critic-turned-spy, a movie star, and actual 35mm film becoming weapons (09:40).

3. Standout Performances

Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa

Tarantino struggled for years to find the right actor—Waltz, a relatively unknown German-Austrian actor, was his breakthrough.
“One of the most entertaining performances in movie history. He is just captivating. He's a motherfucker, but he is so captivating and funny.” – Sean (07:09)
Waltz’s ability to switch from affable to menacing in an instant is praised as “magical” (07:27-08:39).

Other Cast Highlights

Brad Pitt’s Aldo Raine: “Pretty weird because it's very affected. It's very jokey and hammy, and yet I can't imagine the movie with anybody else.” – Sean (14:09)
- Amanda notes his “deadpan quality” perfectly balances Waltz’s energy (15:00).
Eli Roth as Donny Donowitz ("The Bear Jew"): Sean observes Roth’s total commitment to the film’s gonzo tone (15:33).
Diane Kruger as Bridget von Hammersmark:
- Originally thought too American, but impressed by her German skills.
- “You need to be glamorous and cunning at the same time.” – Sean (27:09)
Michael Fassbender as Archie Hicox: The closest Fassbender has come to playing James Bond. Sean loves his “movie podcast” scene with Mike Myers and his deft code-switching mid-scene (18:20-19:44).
- Amanda observes: “He’s funnier as this. And then being really weird in movies.” (19:44)
Melanie Laurent as Shoshanna Dreyfus:
- “She manages to be both like an amazing, indifferent, impervious French bitch and a very wounded, obviously, person… You need to feel this revenge.” – Amanda (23:04)

4. Iconic Scenes

Opening Sequence ("LaPadite Farm"/the interrogation): Universally hailed as masterful, establishing Landa’s menace and Shoshanna’s pain.

Tavern Scene ("La Louisiane"): Amanda’s favorite. Multiple layers of tension and classic Tarantino script flourishes (16:18).

> “It’s gotta be the tavern, right? Which is its own world unto itself... And then the very tense dramatic... with the three fingers.” – Amanda (16:18-16:50)

Café Scene with Landa and Shoshanna (ordering strudel): The hosts agree it’s full of tactile, psychological suspense (29:33).

5. Thematic Takeaways

Revenge as Catharsis: The hosts discuss Tarantino’s ongoing obsession with revenge and rewriting historical trauma in a way that feels cathartic for audiences (12:34).
Sadness Beneath the Spectacle: Amanda notes that much of the Shoshanna arc is deeply sad, balancing catharsis with tragedy (13:45).
"Movie About Rats": Sean describes Landa and the film's crisscrossing characters as "rats scurrying in the basement," alluding to the film's themes of survival and cunning (31:49).

6. Production & Tarantino’s Arc

Tarantino began working on the script in the early 2000s but struggled with casting Landa.
The film is seen as Tarantino transcending his reputation as a "great synthesist"—this is “his invention, his world” (08:39).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Christoph Waltz:
- “He never gets back to this magical moment. Moment of both glee and competence and, like, psychosis in a very mundane, amazing way.” – Amanda (07:27)
On the Power of Scenes:
- “It's just writing unbelievable scene after unbelievable scene. People forget this.” – Sean (03:21)
On Revisionist History:
- “There's something genuinely emotional about his relationship to revenge... this is a real movie of catharsis.” – Sean (12:34)
On Brad Pitt as Aldo:
- “So oblige him is one of many quotes that rings in my head.” – Amanda (14:56)
- “A sauerkraut sandich.” – Sean (14:57)
On Michael Fassbender:
- “Wonderful stuff. And then when he is down in the basement, a lot of fake laughing and we catch him a lot of teeth.” – Sean (18:20)
On Connected Tarantino Universe:
- “Aldo Rain is Floyd from True Romance's grandfather.” – Sean (25:05)
- “Donnie Donowitz... is the father of Lee Donowitz, the producer in the film True Romance.” – Sean (25:30)
On Movie’s Lasting Appeal:
- “This is one of those films that I don't think is like an idiosyncratic pick. I think it's something that has a long lasting life ahead of it.” – Sean (42:34)
On the Oscar Loss:
- “So supporting actor goes to Inglourious Basterds... Cinematography... lost to Avatar... six awards also went to the Hurt Locker... That's not great.” – Sean (37:17)

Legacy & Influence

Critical Revisit: The film debuted to mixed reviews, partly because of its audacious alternative history approach. Over time, it’s become a fan and critical favorite, widely seen as Tarantino’s best of the century (33:10).
Tarantino’s Take: Tarantino himself calls "Inglourious Basterds" his best film, "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" his favorite, and "Kill Bill" the one only he could make (34:41).
```
> “An amazingly self-aggrandizing comment that is also 100% true.” – Sean (35:05)
```
Awards: Eight Oscar nominations, only one win (Best Supporting Actor, Christoph Waltz). Lost major awards to “The Hurt Locker” and “Avatar” (37:10).
Standing For: It represents Tarantino’s filmography for the list, as well as war movies and, in Amanda’s view, is also a kind of placeholder for European cinema (40:30).
Influences & “If You Like”:
- Touchpoints included “The Dirty Dozen,” “Casablanca,” “The Great Escape,” “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” and spaghetti westerns (40:55-41:38).

Timestamps for Major Segments

01:04 – Event intro, why “Inglourious Basterds” was their Tarantino pick
03:21 – The genius of Tarantino’s scene writing
07:09 – The casting and performance of Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa
09:40 – Movie references; film’s meta-commentary
13:26 – Revenge and catharsis as running themes
14:09 – Brad Pitt’s portrayal of Aldo Raine
16:18 – Favorite scenes (Tavern sequence)
18:20 – Michael Fassbender’s Bond-like turn
22:02 – Melanie Laurent and the dual revenge arcs
25:05 – Tarantino’s connected universe
29:33 – The strudel scene: tension and psychology
31:49 – Character analysis: Landa, rats, survival
33:10 – Changing perceptions and affection for the film
34:41 – Tarantino’s “best, favorite, only I could do” quote
37:10 – Oscar snubs and awards
40:30 – What the film stands for within the “25 for 25”
41:38 – Comparisons and influences
42:34 – The movie’s enduring legacy
43:16 – Closing gratitude to audience and venue

Closing Thoughts

The hosts agree that “Inglourious Basterds” is a “forever movie”—rewatchable, audacious, and deeply entertaining, full of unforgettable performances and iconic scenes. It stands as both a landmark in cinematic revisionism and a demonstration of Tarantino’s unique creative vision. The conversation balances smart analysis, warmth, and humor, much like the film itself.

Podcast Summary: "The 25 Best Movies of the Century: No. 4 – 'Inglourious Basterds’"

Podcast: The Big Picture (The Ringer)
Hosts: Sean Fennessey & Amanda Dobbins
Date: November 19, 2025

Overview:

Key Discussion Points & Insights:

1. Why "Inglourious Basterds" Deserves the Spot

One Film per Director Rule: This episode is their Tarantino entry, and “Pulp Fiction” was ineligible because it was released in 1994. They debated “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” “Kill Bill,” “Death Proof,” and “Django Unchained,” but ultimately chose "Basterds" due to its singular impact.
Scene Writing as Tarantino’s Genius: Sean argues that the secret art of moviemaking is writing “unbelievable scene after unbelievable scene,” and claims this film is the “ultimate master of scene writing.”

“Every moment in this movie is fun... this is the very highest example of why Tarantino, to me, is the ultimate master of scene writing.” – Sean (03:22)
Both hosts cite the film’s endless rewatchability:

“It’s really just like just one more, or maybe just one more of this.” – Amanda (03:50)
Major Set Pieces: They single out the opening interrogation sequence and "Operation Kino" as two of the century’s great set pieces (04:00).

2. The Craft & Structure

Revisionist History: The film’s "what if" premise (Nazis annihilated in a Paris cinema) was controversial at the time but now feels more like a commentary on movie history and catharsis.

“This is a real movie of catharsis... even though a lot of our heroes are killed... When you get to the end of this movie... I'm like, yes, yes, we did it.” – Sean (13:26)
Movies About Movies: Amanda highlights the meta-layer: the plot is driven and shaped by movies—the theater, a film critic-turned-spy, a movie star, and actual 35mm film becoming weapons (09:40).

3. Standout Performances

Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa

Tarantino struggled for years to find the right actor—Waltz, a relatively unknown German-Austrian actor, was his breakthrough.
“One of the most entertaining performances in movie history. He is just captivating. He's a motherfucker, but he is so captivating and funny.” – Sean (07:09)
Waltz’s ability to switch from affable to menacing in an instant is praised as “magical” (07:27-08:39).

Other Cast Highlights

Brad Pitt’s Aldo Raine: “Pretty weird because it's very affected. It's very jokey and hammy, and yet I can't imagine the movie with anybody else.” – Sean (14:09)
- Amanda notes his “deadpan quality” perfectly balances Waltz’s energy (15:00).
Eli Roth as Donny Donowitz ("The Bear Jew"): Sean observes Roth’s total commitment to the film’s gonzo tone (15:33).
Diane Kruger as Bridget von Hammersmark:
- Originally thought too American, but impressed by her German skills.
- “You need to be glamorous and cunning at the same time.” – Sean (27:09)
Michael Fassbender as Archie Hicox: The closest Fassbender has come to playing James Bond. Sean loves his “movie podcast” scene with Mike Myers and his deft code-switching mid-scene (18:20-19:44).
- Amanda observes: “He’s funnier as this. And then being really weird in movies.” (19:44)
Melanie Laurent as Shoshanna Dreyfus:
- “She manages to be both like an amazing, indifferent, impervious French bitch and a very wounded, obviously, person… You need to feel this revenge.” – Amanda (23:04)

4. Iconic Scenes

Opening Sequence ("LaPadite Farm"/the interrogation): Universally hailed as masterful, establishing Landa’s menace and Shoshanna’s pain.

Tavern Scene ("La Louisiane"): Amanda’s favorite. Multiple layers of tension and classic Tarantino script flourishes (16:18).

> “It’s gotta be the tavern, right? Which is its own world unto itself... And then the very tense dramatic... with the three fingers.” – Amanda (16:18-16:50)

Café Scene with Landa and Shoshanna (ordering strudel): The hosts agree it’s full of tactile, psychological suspense (29:33).

5. Thematic Takeaways

Revenge as Catharsis: The hosts discuss Tarantino’s ongoing obsession with revenge and rewriting historical trauma in a way that feels cathartic for audiences (12:34).
Sadness Beneath the Spectacle: Amanda notes that much of the Shoshanna arc is deeply sad, balancing catharsis with tragedy (13:45).
"Movie About Rats": Sean describes Landa and the film's crisscrossing characters as "rats scurrying in the basement," alluding to the film's themes of survival and cunning (31:49).

6. Production & Tarantino’s Arc

Tarantino began working on the script in the early 2000s but struggled with casting Landa.
The film is seen as Tarantino transcending his reputation as a "great synthesist"—this is “his invention, his world” (08:39).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Christoph Waltz:
- “He never gets back to this magical moment. Moment of both glee and competence and, like, psychosis in a very mundane, amazing way.” – Amanda (07:27)
On the Power of Scenes:
- “It's just writing unbelievable scene after unbelievable scene. People forget this.” – Sean (03:21)
On Revisionist History:
- “There's something genuinely emotional about his relationship to revenge... this is a real movie of catharsis.” – Sean (12:34)
On Brad Pitt as Aldo:
- “So oblige him is one of many quotes that rings in my head.” – Amanda (14:56)
- “A sauerkraut sandich.” – Sean (14:57)
On Michael Fassbender:
- “Wonderful stuff. And then when he is down in the basement, a lot of fake laughing and we catch him a lot of teeth.” – Sean (18:20)
On Connected Tarantino Universe:
- “Aldo Rain is Floyd from True Romance's grandfather.” – Sean (25:05)
- “Donnie Donowitz... is the father of Lee Donowitz, the producer in the film True Romance.” – Sean (25:30)
On Movie’s Lasting Appeal:
- “This is one of those films that I don't think is like an idiosyncratic pick. I think it's something that has a long lasting life ahead of it.” – Sean (42:34)
On the Oscar Loss:
- “So supporting actor goes to Inglourious Basterds... Cinematography... lost to Avatar... six awards also went to the Hurt Locker... That's not great.” – Sean (37:17)

Legacy & Influence

Critical Revisit: The film debuted to mixed reviews, partly because of its audacious alternative history approach. Over time, it’s become a fan and critical favorite, widely seen as Tarantino’s best of the century (33:10).
Tarantino’s Take: Tarantino himself calls "Inglourious Basterds" his best film, "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" his favorite, and "Kill Bill" the one only he could make (34:41).
```
> “An amazingly self-aggrandizing comment that is also 100% true.” – Sean (35:05)
```
Awards: Eight Oscar nominations, only one win (Best Supporting Actor, Christoph Waltz). Lost major awards to “The Hurt Locker” and “Avatar” (37:10).
Standing For: It represents Tarantino’s filmography for the list, as well as war movies and, in Amanda’s view, is also a kind of placeholder for European cinema (40:30).
Influences & “If You Like”:
- Touchpoints included “The Dirty Dozen,” “Casablanca,” “The Great Escape,” “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” and spaghetti westerns (40:55-41:38).

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The 25 Best Movies of the Century: No. 4 - 'Inglourious Basterds’

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Summary

Podcast Summary: "The 25 Best Movies of the Century: No. 4 – 'Inglourious Basterds’"

Overview:

Key Discussion Points & Insights:

1. Why "Inglourious Basterds" Deserves the Spot

2. The Craft & Structure

3. Standout Performances

Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa

Other Cast Highlights

4. Iconic Scenes

Tavern Scene ("La Louisiane"): Amanda’s favorite. Multiple layers of tension and classic Tarantino script flourishes (16:18).

5. Thematic Takeaways

6. Production & Tarantino’s Arc

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Legacy & Influence

Tarantino’s Take: Tarantino himself calls "Inglourious Basterds" his best film, "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" his favorite, and "Kill Bill" the one only he could make (34:41).

Timestamps for Major Segments

Closing Thoughts

Summary

Podcast Summary: "The 25 Best Movies of the Century: No. 4 – 'Inglourious Basterds’"

Overview:

Key Discussion Points & Insights:

1. Why "Inglourious Basterds" Deserves the Spot

2. The Craft & Structure

3. Standout Performances

Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa

Other Cast Highlights

4. Iconic Scenes

Tavern Scene ("La Louisiane"): Amanda’s favorite. Multiple layers of tension and classic Tarantino script flourishes (16:18).

5. Thematic Takeaways

6. Production & Tarantino’s Arc

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Legacy & Influence

Tarantino’s Take: Tarantino himself calls "Inglourious Basterds" his best film, "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" his favorite, and "Kill Bill" the one only he could make (34:41).

Timestamps for Major Segments

Closing Thoughts