Inglourious Basterds - Characters & Cast

Landa's primary motivation is egotistical self-preservation and opportunism. He takes pride in being exceptionally good at his job, not out of ideological fervor, but because it satisfies his ego. His ultimate goal is to always be on the winning side, which leads him to betray Hitler in exchange for personal amnesty and rewards.

Hans Landa begins as a terrifyingly efficient and sadistic SS officer, the "Jew Hunter." He is defined by his intelligence, charm, and utter ruthlessness. His arc is not one of moral change but of shifting allegiance based on pure self-interest. Realizing the Nazis will lose the war, he orchestrates a deal with the Allies to save himself, betraying the very regime he served so effectively. He ends the film stripped of his power, permanently marked by the very people he hunted, a master manipulator who is ultimately outplayed.

Raine is driven by a singular, unyielding desire to inflict brutal punishment upon the Nazis. He demands 100 Nazi scalps from his men and believes the Nazis have no humanity and deserve to be destroyed. His motivation is a form of righteous, violent retribution, uncomplicated by moral ambiguity.

Lt. Aldo Raine is a static character who remains steadfast in his mission and beliefs from beginning to end. He is introduced as the hard-nosed, Apache-descended leader of the Basterds with a simple, brutal goal: killing Nazis. He shows no change in his convictions, even when confronted with orders from his superiors to spare Landa. His arc is a test of his principles, which he passes by remaining true to his own code of justice, culminating in his final act of carving a swastika on Landa's forehead.

Shosanna is motivated by a deep-seated need for revenge against the Nazis, and specifically Hans Landa, for the murder of her family. Her plan to burn down the cinema is not just about killing Nazis; it's a personal, cinematic, and fiery act of retribution designed to make her enemies know they are being killed by a Jew.

Shosanna's arc is a tragic transformation from a terrified, fleeing victim to a cold, determined instrument of vengeance. After escaping Landa's massacre of her family, she builds a new life, but the trauma remains. The opportunity for revenge reawakens her past, and she meticulously plans the destruction of the Nazi leadership. In her final moments, she sacrifices herself to become a symbol of Jewish vengeance, completing her journey from powerless girl to a powerful, albeit tragic, historical force.

As an Allied agent, Bridget is motivated by a desire to bring down the Third Reich from within. She uses her fame and position as a film star to gain access to high-ranking Nazi officials and pass information to the British, risking her life to aid the war effort.

Bridget von Hammersmark is a glamorous German film star who is secretly working as an Allied spy. She is brave, intelligent, and a key figure in Operation Kino. Her arc demonstrates the extreme danger of espionage. Despite her skill, a single mistake (her signed napkin) and Landa's sharp detective skills lead to her discovery. Her arc ends tragically when Landa, confirming his suspicions, brutally strangles her to death, showcasing the fatal consequences of playing such a dangerous game.