To avoid confusion: the 2009 film is not a remake of the 1978 Italian cult film Quel maledetto treno blindato (English title: The Inglorious Bastards). That film follows a group of American soldiers in Europe who are wrongly accused of a crime and must fight to clear their names. Tarantino has openly acknowledged borrowing the title (with a tweak) as an homage, not a narrative remake.
| Feature | Inglourious Basterds (2009) | The Inglorious Bastards (1978) | |--------|-------------------------------|----------------------------------| | Director | Quentin Tarantino | Enzo G. Castellari | | Country | USA / Germany | Italy | | Genre | Revisionist war / thriller | Macaroni combat / exploitation | | Runtime (theatrical) | 153 minutes | 99 minutes | | Title inspiration | Homage to the 1978 film | Original Italian: Quel maledetto treno blindato (That Damned Armored Train) |
Tarantino explicitly borrowed his title (with a spelling change: “Basterds” instead of “Bastards”) as a tribute to Castellari’s cult film. Both feature WWII settings, behind-enemy-lines plots, and violent anti-Nazi sentiment — but their tone, structure, and production quality differ dramatically. To avoid confusion: the 2009 film is not
Inglourious Basterds (2009) remains a landmark of alternative history cinema, celebrated for its dialogue, tension, and audacious ending. While the 1978 Inglorious Bastards is a fun footnote, Tarantino’s film stands alone. Beware of bootleg “D-extra quality” copies—they compromise the film’s visual and audio artistry. For the best experience, watch it in high definition from a legitimate source. And remember: the correct spelling is Inglourious Basterds.
Here’s a helpful post for fans or new viewers trying to understand the Inglourious Basterds (2009) vs. The Inglorious Bastards (1978) mix-up, with a focus on finding the best quality version of Tarantino’s film: Title: Don’t rent the wrong movie
Title: Don’t rent the wrong movie! A quick guide to “Inglourious Basterds” (2009) vs. “The Inglorious Bastards” (1978) + where to find the best quality
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I’ve seen a few people confused (or accidentally renting the wrong film) because of the similar titles. Here’s the breakdown and how to make sure you get Tarantino’s masterpiece in extra quality.