10 Movie Scenes Even More Impressive When You Know The Truth
1. Quentin Tarantino Wouldn't Allow Christoph Waltz To Rehearse - Inglorious Basterds
Another performance that was quickly scorched into cinematic history came during Quentin Tarantino's outstanding alternate telling of multiple plots to assassinate the leaders of Nazi Germany. Yet, what many don't realise is that Christoph Waltz's Oscar-winning turn as the despicable Hans Landa in Inglorious Basterds didn't just come as surprise to those watching on in the cinema.
Tarantino recently revealed on The Moment podcast that he instructed the star to "hold back" when it came to the initial big script read for the feature pre-shoot. He also explained that he wanted Waltz to steer clear from rehearsing with the rest of the cast, telling him to only practise his lines to the director in an effort to inspire some genuine responses from those on set when he first unleashed his compelling performance.
In the end, the only actor to practise lines with Waltz before filming was Denis Ménochet as the two made up the majority of the film's gripping opening scene.
Away from that, pretty much every actor interacting with the star on screen is doing so with literally no knowledge of what Waltz is going to bring to the scene. A decision which undoubtedly led to some of the finest exchanges Tarantino has had the honour of directing.