Summary
- Brad Pitt has starred in multiple World War II movies, but only “Inglourious Basterds” is truly great.
- “Inglourious Basterds” successfully balances realistic moments with fantasy elements, showcasing Quentin Tarantino’s storytelling skills.
- Christoph Waltz gives a standout performance, but Brad Pitt’s portrayal in the final arc is also entertaining.
Brad Pitt has appeared in five World War II movies, but only one of them can be considered great. Two-time Academy Award-winning star Brad Pitt has appeared in films of varying genres throughout his acting career – From gripping thrillers like Fight Club and World War Z to biopics like Moneyball and 12 Years a Slave, from historical epics like Troy to romance fantasies like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. However, despite having a mixed set of movies on his resume, the actor has starred in some genres more than others.
For instance, apart from 1989’s Cutting Class, Brad Pitt has no other horror movies under his belt. The opposite holds true for war movies because Pitt has played roles in as many as five World War II dramas. However, even though Brad Pitt has appeared in so many World War II movies, only one has left its mark on cinematic history.
Brad Pitt’s World War 2 Movies Have Been Very Inconsistent
In an acting career spanning over three decades, Brad Pitt has starred in myriad World War II movies. However, not all his war movies have been able to perform as well as the others. For instance, Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, in which Brad Pitt portrays Lt. Aldo Raine, is not only one of Brad Pitt’s best movies but also among the most commendable World War II films. Apart from the anti-Nazi war drama, Pitt has starred in Fury, which is not as acclaimed as Inglourious Basterds but does an incredible job at highlighting the terror of war.
Brad Pitt was also a part of the romantic war drama Allied, which unfortunately failed to leave as significant of a mark as Inglourious Basterds and Fury. Since Seven Years in Tibet and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button are partially set in the backdrop of World War II, they, too, deserve to rank among Pitt’s war movies. Speaking of ranking, the two movies may not match Inglourious Basterds and Fury in critical rating and overall quality. However, they are still great examples of Brad Pitt’s range and prowess as an actor.
Why Inglourious Basterds Is The Only Truly Great Brad Pitt WW2 Movie
Even though Brad Pitt has worked in several World War II films throughout his acting career, Inglourious Basterds arguably remains his only true great World War II epic for several reasons. The film perfectly rewrites the past by first introducing audiences to a realistic first arc, where Christoph Waltz gives the performance of a lifetime with his bone-chilling portrayal of Col. Hans Landa. After rooting the initial moments of its narrative in realism, Inglourious Basterds gradually dips its feet into fantasy by introducing partly comical players like Brad Pitt’s Aldo Raine and Michael Fassbender’s Archie Hicox.
Its ability to shift from terrifying realism to brutal fantasy serves as a testament to Quentin Tarantino’s forte in crafting a World War II story that seamlessly weaves between the gritty authenticity of the real world and the gripping escapism of fantasy. When it comes to the performances in the film, Christoph Waltz steals the limelight with his cartoonish yet intimidating portrayal of the hyper-articulate Hans Landa. However, Brad Pitt, too, is no less entertaining in Inglourious Basterds, especially in the final arc, where he pretends to be Italian.
