The Inglorious Bastards, second Macaroni Combat film from director Enzo G. Castellari, is finally getting recognized (mainly due to the Tarantino remake/ re-imagining). Released in a superb 3 disk Explosive Edition from Severin, as well as a single disk and Blu-Ray (review here), you can tell they're very passionate about this film.
FILM- Alright, first off, the plot to this film is so simple, yet so effective. It's like no bake cookies, easy, yet amazingly delicious. A rag tag group of U.S. soldiers, all having committed various crimes, are being transported to military prison. Along the way, they're ambushed by Nazi fighter planes. Stranded in Nazi occupied France, with return to the Allies a one way ticket to prison, they press on. Soon, the bastards meet up with an AWOL German soldier, and decide there's only one option; flee to neutral Switzerland. After some bad luck and a one in a million chance, these inglorious soldiers end up with more than they bargained for; a suicide mission to hijack a damn armored train!
This film has been really, really neglected over the years. Having more alternate titles than a Jess Franco film (That Damned Armored Train, Deadly Mission, GI Bro, and the list goes on), the name Inglorious Bastards was almost lost in the sea of mediocrity. Severin to the rescue, finally this film can be seen the way it was meant to be seen, uncut on DVD for the first time in America. The characters are perfect; from the charismatic leader of the group, to the one liner spewing racist (who is the only man dumb enough to piss off Fred Williamson). We really get a wide variety of characters, action and humor. Saving Private Ryan this is not. Inglorious Bastards is silly- at some places downright hilarious (intentionally, not like Cannibal Terror), and is in no way meant to be taken seriously. That in mind, don't expect the WWII equivalence of Star Wars. While the goofiness might put some viewers off, it really fits the film well; and makes for one of the funnest movies I have ever seen. I only have one problem with this movie- the ending. It is very abrupt, and left me waning to know a little more than it showed. Five extra minutes would have been greatly appreciated. The ending in no way spoils the film; because we all know it's not where you're going, it's how you get there. 9/10.
PICTURE/ AUDIO- This is one of the best visual transfers Severin has cranked out. The flesh tones, colors, firmness- all perfect. Some slight grit here and there, but nothing major and it certainly doesn't tarnish the finished product. 9/10.
The audio is nice, strong, and clear. Not many distortions; no volume fading, and the soundtrack and voices all sound good. 8/10.
EXTRAS- The 3 disk edition comes with: A Conversation with Quentin Tarantino and Enzo Castellari, were the two directors discuss the film, an audio commentary with Enzo Castellari, Train Kept-A-Rollin, a documentary with Castellari, Williamson, Svenson and Vanni, de Rossi, Sbarigia, and Toscano, a locations featurette, the theatrical trailer, and the CD soundtrack. Easily a 10/10!
Just fyi, the single disk includes: A Conversation with Quentin Tarantino and Enzo Castellari, the audio commentary, and theatrical trailer.
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