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Characters Characters

The characters are fictional

False

Lieutenant Aldo Raine, Colonel Hans Landa, Shosanna Dreyfus and the other characters are all fictional. The only historic character is Adolf Hitler.

Story Story

Jewish-American soldiers hunting Nazis

False

While there were Jewish soldiers in the US Army, the specific concept of a dedicated unit solely focused on terrorizing and killing Nazis in the manner depicted is fictional. It's a core element of the film's alternate history narrative.

The Bear Jew's baseball bat

False

While baseball bats were used in combat in various conflicts, the Bear Jew's specific use of one as his primary weapon and the exaggerated brutality associated with it is a stylistic choice for the film and not historically accurate.

Scalping of Nazis

Probably false

While there were instances of atrocities on both sides of World War II, the systematic scalping of Nazi soldiers by a specific unit, is fictional.

Operation Kino

False

Operation Kino, the plan to assassinate Nazi leaders at a film premiere, is entirely fictional. It's the driving force behind the film's plot and a central element of its alternate history.

The cinema burning and ending of WWII

False

The burning down of a cinema with Nazi leaders, and subsequent conclusion to World War II, is completely fictional.

Setting Setting

World War II setting

True

The film is set during World War II, a real historical event. The backdrop of the war provides the context for the fictional narrative.

Nazi atrocities

True

The film acknowledges the very real atrocities committed by the Nazis. While the specific actions of the 'Basterds' are fictional, the context of Nazi brutality is historically accurate.

French Resistance

True

The French Resistance was a real historical movement. The film's depiction of some resistance activities, though intertwined with fictional elements, is grounded in this historical reality.

Use of propaganda films

True

The Nazis did use propaganda films as depicted in the movie. This was a real tactic for disseminating their ideology.

The general atmosphere of occupied France

Average depiction

While the film focuses on specific fictional events, it captures some aspects of the fear and tension that existed in occupied France.