Comments on: Inglourious Basterds: A German Fantasy, Not a ‘Jewish’ One http://pjmedia.com/blog/inglourious-basterds-a-german-fantasy-not-a-jewish-one/ Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:18:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Oliver L. http://pjmedia.com/blog/inglourious-basterds-a-german-fantasy-not-a-jewish-one/#comment-699965 Oliver L. Fri, 19 Nov 2010 22:34:16 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/?p=65086#comment-699965 This article is itself a perfect example of the kind of cultural-political mendacity it claims to decry. From the insinuation that any monies from the (current) German government are akin to a payoff from Dr. Goebbels himself, to the grossly disingenuous implication that the "average viewer" *ever* tends to differentiate between W-SS and regular Heer/Wehrmacht soldiers (they don't, nor do directors), to the description of the Morgenthau Plan as "restricting German industry following occupation" (like saying the Holocaust was a bureaucratic maneuver designed to "reorganize Jewish demography in Europe") to the implication that the movie is somehow unfair because the German cultural references are well thought-out and often at the expense of other nationalities (as if 99% of American films don't do that as a matter of course). His review makes it sound like an overblown version of the scene in "Saving Private Ryan" where the Jewish soldier (I forget his name) holds up his necklace with a Star of David in the faces of German POWs--was that too a German fantasy? This article is itself a perfect example of the kind of cultural-political mendacity it claims to decry. From the insinuation that any monies from the (current) German government are akin to a payoff from Dr. Goebbels himself, to the grossly disingenuous implication that the “average viewer” *ever* tends to differentiate between W-SS and regular Heer/Wehrmacht soldiers (they don’t, nor do directors), to the description of the Morgenthau Plan as “restricting German industry following occupation” (like saying the Holocaust was a bureaucratic maneuver designed to “reorganize Jewish demography in Europe”) to the implication that the movie is somehow unfair because the German cultural references are well thought-out and often at the expense of other nationalities (as if 99% of American films don’t do that as a matter of course).

His review makes it sound like an overblown version of the scene in “Saving Private Ryan” where the Jewish soldier (I forget his name) holds up his necklace with a Star of David in the faces of German POWs–was that too a German fantasy?

]]> By: Oliver L. http://pjmedia.com/blog/inglourious-basterds-a-german-fantasy-not-a-jewish-one/#comment-699959 Oliver L. Fri, 19 Nov 2010 22:27:57 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/?p=65086#comment-699959 This article is itself a perfect example of the kind of cultural-political mendacity it claims to decry. From the insinuation that any monies from the (current) German government are akin to a payoff from Dr. Goebbels himself, to the grossly disingenuous implication that the "average viewer" *ever* tends to differentiate between W-SS and regular Heer/Wehrmacht soldiers (they don't, nor do directors), to the description of the Morgenthau Plan as "restricting German industry following occupation" (like saying the Holocaust was a bureaucratic maneuver designed to "reorganize Jewish demography in Europe") to the implication that the movie is somehow unfair because the German cultural references are well thought-out and often at the expense of other nationalities (as if 99% of American films don't do that as a matter of course). His review makes it sound like an overblown version of the scene in "Saving Private Ryan" where the Jewish soldier (I forget his name) holds up his necklace with a Star of David in the faces of German POWs—was that too a German fantasy? This article is itself a perfect example of the kind of cultural-political mendacity it claims to decry. From the insinuation that any monies from the (current) German government are akin to a payoff from Dr. Goebbels himself, to the grossly disingenuous implication that the “average viewer” *ever* tends to differentiate between W-SS and regular Heer/Wehrmacht soldiers (they don’t, nor do directors), to the description of the Morgenthau Plan as “restricting German industry following occupation” (like saying the Holocaust was a bureaucratic maneuver designed to “reorganize Jewish demography in Europe”) to the implication that the movie is somehow unfair because the German cultural references are well thought-out and often at the expense of other nationalities (as if 99% of American films don’t do that as a matter of course).

His review makes it sound like an overblown version of the scene in “Saving Private Ryan” where the Jewish soldier (I forget his name) holds up his necklace with a Star of David in the faces of German POWs—was that too a German fantasy?

]]> By: notsobored http://pjmedia.com/blog/inglourious-basterds-a-german-fantasy-not-a-jewish-one/#comment-483895 notsobored Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:56:35 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/?p=65086#comment-483895 Jesus christ people....go mow the yard or something.... Jesus christ people….go mow the yard or something….

]]> By: Angela White http://pjmedia.com/blog/inglourious-basterds-a-german-fantasy-not-a-jewish-one/#comment-483462 Angela White Tue, 19 Jan 2010 06:08:32 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/?p=65086#comment-483462 This movie is about the moral bankruptcy of America. The complete victory of sadism over compassion is akin to the rationalization and justification of torture and targeted killings. This is a film either highlighting America's dismissal of human rights as a value or celebrating that dismissal. In either case, the effect is to demonize and de-humanize all Americans. The Jews are portrayed as particularly stupid and totally insane. The "scalping" of the Nazi's is a representation of "blood libel". And the forehead mutilation of the Nazis by the Jews, is akin to the marking Cain's forehead according to the instruction of God. The implication is that the Jews have developed such a sense of omnipotence that they feel entitled to take on God like authority. This film is viciously anti-American and anti-Jewish. As a fantasy, it is something a 7 year old boy might find fun. This is not a Jewish revenge fantasy, this is a commentary on where American values have gone. This movie is about the moral bankruptcy of America. The complete victory of sadism over compassion is akin to the rationalization and justification of torture and targeted killings. This is a film either highlighting America’s dismissal of human rights as a value or celebrating that dismissal. In either case, the effect is to demonize and de-humanize all Americans. The Jews are portrayed as particularly stupid and totally insane. The “scalping” of the Nazi’s is a representation of “blood libel”. And the forehead mutilation of the Nazis by the Jews, is akin to the marking Cain’s forehead according to the instruction of God. The implication is that the Jews have developed such a sense of omnipotence that they feel entitled to take on God like authority. This film is viciously anti-American and anti-Jewish. As a fantasy, it is something a 7 year old boy might find fun. This is not a Jewish revenge fantasy, this is a commentary on where American values have gone.

]]> By: integer http://pjmedia.com/blog/inglourious-basterds-a-german-fantasy-not-a-jewish-one/#comment-478467 integer Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:55:57 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/?p=65086#comment-478467 RE #26. Jews always get a rap as being great at Math, but the best Mathematicians in history were all non-Jews. You'd have to go way down the list to find a Jew, and contrary to popular belief, Einstein was not so great at math... The tops, Newton, Gauss, Euler, Riemann, Poincare', were German, French, and English, not Jewish. In fact, if there is one contributing factor to AMERICAN JEWISH success, it is the money they get from Germany out of German guilt, not an inherently superior talent. And the rest of the world is waiting to make its contributions, from the 1.2 billion Chinese, or the 1 billion Indians, there are many great geniuses waiting to be found... RE #26. Jews always get a rap as being great at Math, but the best Mathematicians in history were all non-Jews. You’d have to go way down the list to find a Jew, and contrary to popular belief, Einstein was not so great at math… The tops, Newton, Gauss, Euler, Riemann, Poincare’, were German, French, and English, not Jewish. In fact, if there is one contributing factor to AMERICAN JEWISH success, it is the money they get from Germany out of German guilt, not an inherently superior talent.

And the rest of the world is waiting to make its contributions, from the 1.2 billion Chinese, or the 1 billion Indians, there are many great geniuses waiting to be found…

]]> By: Kora http://pjmedia.com/blog/inglourious-basterds-a-german-fantasy-not-a-jewish-one/#comment-457728 Kora Tue, 01 Dec 2009 03:59:09 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/?p=65086#comment-457728 I believe this film is makes a mockery of the Holocaust. Tarantino grips us with the violence, but uses the smoke and mirrors of humor (to the point of hilarity)to make this a story about revenge; it is as if this film is an avenue for those who were victims, to find some kind of twisted revenge. The viewer lives vicariously through Lieutenant Aldo Raine, whose cowboy-like logic exaggerates what the Allies didn't do, didn't act like. As a result, we aren't as interested in the fact that so many Jews died, as we are in how the American Basterds are going infiltrate and destroy the leaders of the Third Reich... they will do this in a sick and twisted (very funny)way of course. This film gives those victimized a new avenue of thought about the Holocaust; but, not a serious one. Because of this, I believe this film makes a mockery of the Holocaust. I believe this film is makes a mockery of the Holocaust. Tarantino grips us with the violence, but uses the smoke and mirrors of humor (to the point of hilarity)to make this a story about revenge; it is as if this film is an avenue for those who were victims, to find some kind of twisted revenge. The viewer lives vicariously through Lieutenant Aldo Raine, whose cowboy-like logic exaggerates what the Allies didn’t do, didn’t act like. As a result, we aren’t as interested in the fact that so many Jews died, as we are in how the American Basterds are going infiltrate and destroy the leaders of the Third Reich… they will do this in a sick and twisted (very funny)way of course. This film gives those victimized a new avenue of thought about the Holocaust; but, not a serious one. Because of this, I believe this film makes a mockery of the Holocaust.

]]> By: esdavis http://pjmedia.com/blog/inglourious-basterds-a-german-fantasy-not-a-jewish-one/#comment-435467 esdavis Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:13:41 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/?p=65086#comment-435467 I really do like Ron Rosenbaum, but this review is preposterous. Inglorious Basterds is a tribute to the spaghetti western genre set in World War II. The film at one point was to be called "Once Upon a Time in Nazi Occupied France", which instead ended up as the title of the first "Chapter" of the film. Nearly everything in this review is a half-truth, or out right lie, and it's obvious there was an agenda going in. That isn't film criticism. I really do like Ron Rosenbaum, but this review is preposterous. Inglorious Basterds is a tribute to the spaghetti western genre set in World War II. The film at one point was to be called “Once Upon a Time in Nazi Occupied France”, which instead ended up as the title of the first “Chapter” of the film. Nearly everything in this review is a half-truth, or out right lie, and it’s obvious there was an agenda going in. That isn’t film criticism.

]]> By: anonymous http://pjmedia.com/blog/inglourious-basterds-a-german-fantasy-not-a-jewish-one/#comment-425900 anonymous Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:46:29 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/?p=65086#comment-425900 Were no strangers to love You know the rules and so do i A full commitments what Im thinking of You wouldnt get this from any other guy I just wanna tell you how Im feeling Gotta make you understand * never gonna give you up Never gonna let you down Never gonna run around and desert you Never gonna make you cry Never gonna say goodbye Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you Weve know each other for so long Your hearts been aching But youre too shy to say it Inside we both know whats been going on We know the game and were gonna play it And if you ask me how Im feeling Dont tell me youre too blind to see (* repeat) Give you up. give you up Give you up, give you up Never gonna give Never gonna give, give you up Never gonna give Never gonna give, five you up I just wanna tell you how Im feeling Gotta make you understand Were no strangers to love
You know the rules and so do i
A full commitments what Im thinking of
You wouldnt get this from any other guy

I just wanna tell you how Im feeling
Gotta make you understand

* never gonna give you up
Never gonna let you down
Never gonna run around and desert you
Never gonna make you cry
Never gonna say goodbye
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you

Weve know each other for so long
Your hearts been aching
But youre too shy to say it
Inside we both know whats been going on
We know the game and were gonna play it

And if you ask me how Im feeling
Dont tell me youre too blind to see

(* repeat)

Give you up. give you up
Give you up, give you up
Never gonna give
Never gonna give, give you up
Never gonna give
Never gonna give, five you up

I just wanna tell you how Im feeling
Gotta make you understand

]]> By: Bransby http://pjmedia.com/blog/inglourious-basterds-a-german-fantasy-not-a-jewish-one/#comment-425300 Bransby Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:53:08 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/?p=65086#comment-425300 I think the mistake the reviewer makes is in taking the film a bit too seriously. I think looking for either depth, conspiracy or propaganda in a Tarantino film is a bit futile. He makes entertaining films, is excellent at set pieces, and has a good touch with dialogue on the whole, but I think to critique his work in terms of meaning or influence is a bit pointless. I love watching Pulp Fiction time and time again, same with Reservoir Dogs, Jackie Brown was great, but none of those films really has a lot to say about society or even the human condition, they're over-the-top, ultra-violent entertainment. Frankly, who cares what Tarantino thinks of Jews? He's not a thoughtful enough film-maker for his thoughts to really matter. Don't get me wrong, I really like his films, but they're only important on a very superficial level. I think the mistake the reviewer makes is in taking the film a bit too seriously. I think looking for either depth, conspiracy or propaganda in a Tarantino film is a bit futile. He makes entertaining films, is excellent at set pieces, and has a good touch with dialogue on the whole, but I think to critique his work in terms of meaning or influence is a bit pointless. I love watching Pulp Fiction time and time again, same with Reservoir Dogs, Jackie Brown was great, but none of those films really has a lot to say about society or even the human condition, they’re over-the-top, ultra-violent entertainment. Frankly, who cares what Tarantino thinks of Jews? He’s not a thoughtful enough film-maker for his thoughts to really matter. Don’t get me wrong, I really like his films, but they’re only important on a very superficial level.

]]> By: grey http://pjmedia.com/blog/inglourious-basterds-a-german-fantasy-not-a-jewish-one/#comment-425026 grey Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:33:56 +0000 http://pajamasmedia.com/?p=65086#comment-425026 I'm half jewish and this review and a certain portion of the "pro"-jewish commets make me feel dirty. Number 26 especially stands out. Disgusting. But that's probably because I´m not jewish enough, some type of jealous mongrel. I’m half jewish and this review and a certain portion of the “pro”-jewish commets make me feel dirty. Number 26 especially stands out. Disgusting. But that’s probably because I´m not jewish enough, some type of jealous mongrel.

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