This is the first of 31 films that constitute the Best I Saw in 2011. These films are in no particular order. The order these articles are presented doesn't reflect one being better than the other. Except, of course, the last film I will write on for this series will be the one I consider the very best film of 2011.
However, take note. Some films you'll see in these articles came out before 2011. For this series, I'm following two criteria. One is that I saw the films covered in this series for the first time in the year, 2011. Second is that I have not written about these films in previous articles. Any film I covered up til now will not be included in this series.
Best I Saw in 2011: Enzo Castellari's Inglorious Bastards
This Italian take on the Dirty Dozen has a group of misfits trying to make it to Switzerland while avoiding being killed by both German and American soldiers. This group of men were to be shipped off to military prison for various transgressions, ranging from murder to desertion. During the transport, a German air attack disrupts the convoy, killing the MP troops and other prisoners. Over the course of their trek to safety, they must infiltrate a Nazi fortress, assist the French Resistance, and steal a piece of experimental equipment from a heavily fortified train.
Bo Svenson, who took over the role of Buford Pusser after Joe Don Baker in the Walking Tall series, gives a great performance as Lt. Robert Yeager. He gives the character the reluctant leader element that makes him endearing. Peter Hooten (of the 1978 TV movie Dr. Strange, based on the Marvel Comic character) is entertaining as the loud mouth, nonchalant Tony. Yet, you have the one and only Fred “The Hammer” Williamson as Private Fred Canfield who steals the movie from the rest of the cast. Keep an eye out for Italian cinema regulars Joshua Sinclair (The Heroin Busters), Donald O'Brian (The Name of the Rose), and Massimo Vanni (Warriors of the Wasteland).
Castellari gives the audience everything they could ask for in this type of movie. There is plenty of action, with quality set pieces and execution of various sequences. One moment in particular is the escape from a Nazi fortress set up from a castle. The characters are good enough, not too deep to take the people out of the movie but fitting for the fun atmosphere within the film. With The Heroin Busters, Castellari took a shot at the gritty police drama in the wake of The French Connection. With Inglorious Bastards, he encapsulates what made The Dirty Dozen and Kelly's Heroes so fun to watch.
The music score by Franchesco De Masi gives a semi-epic feel to the proceedings. While the main title theme stands out among the rest of the score, it suffices for the movie. This score compliments his compositions for films like Steve Carver's Lone Wolf McQuade and Lucio Fulci's The New York Ripper.
On a side note, fans will be surprised how little of this film was taken by Quentin Tarantino for his similarly titled film. Other than the title, Tarantino's film bears little resemblance to the Castellari film, and in fact comes off more as a spoof on Defiance with Daniel Craig.
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