The Inglorious Bastards (1978)

In 1944 France, a group of escaped American military prisoners en route to Switzerland volunteers to steal a Nazi V2 rocket warhead for the Allies.

Director:

Enzo G. Castellari

Writers:

Sandro Continenza, Sergio Grieco

Stars:

Bo Svenson, Peter Hooten, Fred Williamson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bo Svenson	...	Lt. Robert Yeager
Peter Hooten	...	Tony
Fred Williamson	...	Pvt. Fred Canfield
Michael Pergolani	...	Nick
Jackie Basehart	...	Berle
Michel Constantin	...	Veronique
Debra Berger	...	Nicole
Raimund Harmstorf	...	Adolf Sachs
Ian Bannen	...	Col. Charles Thomas Buckner
Flavio Andreini	...	Examination Corporal
Peter Boom	...	German Officer on Train
Vito Fornari	...	SS Officer
Manfred Freyberger	...	SS Commander
Joshua Sinclair	...	The Sergeant (as John Loffredo)
Mike Morris	...	Colonel Hauser

Storyline

In 1944, in France, the rogue American soldiers Lieutenant Robert Yeager, Private Fred Canfield, the murderer Tony, the thief Nick and the coward Berle are transported to a military prison. However, the convoy is attacked by the Germans and they survive and flee with the intention of cross the border of Switzerland. Along their journey, they fight against a German platoon and capture the German prisoner Adolf Sachs that offers to guide them to the Swiss border. When they meet a German troop, they kill them but sooner they discover that they actually were and American commando in a mission headed by Colonel Buckner to steal a German V2 warhead. Lt. Yeager, Fred, Tony and Nick offer to risk their lives to accomplish the mission.

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Plot Keywords:

american | nazi | shootout | nude with a gun | skinny dipping | 

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Taglines:

If you're a kraut, he'll take you out!

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | War

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of several Italian film roles for Academy Award-nominated actor Ian Bannen in the 1970s. His part was filmed in single day.

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Goofs

A wire can be seen pulling a soldier during a grenade explosion in the first battle with the Waffen-SS.

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Quotes

[first title card]
Title Card: FRANCE 1944

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Alternate Versions

A shorter version, cut for the blaxpoitation market, came out on VHS, called 'G.I. Bro'.

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Connections

Referenced in Quelli del Maledetto Treno Blindato - Making of 'Inglorious Bastards' (2007)

User Reviews

Better than Most

I viewed this movie because the QT movie of the same title came out in 2009. I enjoyed the drama of this movie, the plot twists, and action. I was raised in the era of Clint Eastwood's Italian westerns and while this was a low budget Italian made film, it contains some of the elements that makes those movies so great.

Slightly like the Dirty Dozen this movie remains true to history and looks deep into human nature. There is a lot of good action scenes and the acting is great for the style. There are better action war films to watch but few that will remain a classic like this one.

While I did not enjoy the 2009 movie by QT, I must thank him for directing my attention to this title. Enzo Girolami Castellari is by far a much better director from viewing both movies of the same title. My advice is to rent both and come to your own conclusions.

Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

English German French Italian

Release Date:

December 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Deadly Mission

Filming Locations:

Barbarano Romano, Viterbo, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Film Concorde

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min 90 min (cut) 76 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1