Quentin Tarantino: Definitive Guide To Homages, Influences And References

Inglourious Basterds

21. Aldo Raine

Brad Pitt's character, Aldo Raine, is a reference to one of Tarantino's favourite actors, Aldo Ray, who was known for his appearances in both Hollywood studio films and cheap exploitation fare. Raine's surname is likely a reference to Major Charles Rane, a character from Tarantino's favourite flicks, Rolling Thunder. If we are furthering the previous point that Hans Landa is the "Bad", Shosanna "The Good", then Aldo Raine could well be "The Ugly" of the film.

Perhaps this is where Tarantino got the idea for the character to have a rope burn scar under his neck, which goes though the film without explanation... a homage to Tuco who ends The Good, The Bad & The Ugly with a rope burn from hanging.

20. The German Sergeant York

Various characters refer to "Sergeant York," a real-life WW1 veteran who became a movie star when he returned home having been the most decorated soldier of that war. He famously played himself in Sergeant York, a movie based on his own exploits. Frederick Zoller is often compared to Sergeant York as his German equivalent in the film.

19. The On A Mission Nods

Inglorious Basterds is also Tarantino's tribute to the war movie sub-genre "men on a mission" movies. These movies would often involve a group of tough guys sent on a mission bordering the suicidal, and would usually be supremely violent. Notable examples include The Guns of the Navarone, Where Eagles Dare, The Dirty Dozen, Battle Squadron and Five For Hell.