3. August Diehl as Major Hellstrom (Inglourious Basterds)
As with Menochet, the big talent of the scene here, Michael Fassbender (whose short screen time means he himself borders on near-cameo) means the man playing his adversary is often ignored, which is a shame, because August Diehl is outstanding during Inglourious Basterds tavern-based Mexican standoff, giving clear reason why he almost stole Daniel Bruhls role. Its another one of Tarantinos greatest standalone scenes, agonising tension brought by Diehls Major Hellstrom looking to expose Fassbenders Lt. Archie Hickox and his undercover friends. Tarantino ratchets up the tension mercilessly, but has a great colleague in Diehl as the unrelenting, scene-stealing villain; watch Diehls poker face momentarily shift as Fassbenders Hickox gives the game away, Diehls faked jocundity giving way to a smug malice.