The Real Inglorious Bastards (TV Movie 2012) Poster

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7/10
Interesting documentary
grantss6 April 2017
Quentin Tarantino's movie "Inglourious Basterds" centred around a team of Jewish (largely Jewish-American) soldiers who operated behind enemy lines, killing any Nazis they could find. This is a documentary on the real Inglorious Bastards - Jewish agents for the American OSS (Office of Strategic Services), sent in as spies into Nazi-held territories. Some of these spies were German Jews, returning to avenge the wrongs committed against their people and free Germany from the Nazis. Some of their deeds surpass even the fictional feats in Tarantino's movie.

Pretty interesting, though not entirely compelling. Told in a conventional linear fashion and without much in the way of frills, the telling is pretty dry. The feats, however, of the people involved are quite amazing - you couldn't make this stuff up.

Quite heroic some of the endeavors. The interviews with the surviving agents are also quite illuminating.
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9/10
Fred, Hans & Franz. A reminder, an inspiration, & a thank you!
trevd-229774 March 2020
This was a fairly conventional documentary but the story it told was both timely & inspirational. I think that we need to be reminded of what can happen when we turn our faces from real evil. What these men did must have been truly terrifying and I am in awe of them (& the thousands of others like them). Grateful also. I thought the film Tarantino made was entirely fictitious but again truth is stranger than fiction. Stories like this should never be forgotten. When life seems unfair or too hard, tales like this can give us perspective. They also tell us that we can stand against tyranny and triumph. I have given this a 9/10 not because of any technical or artistic merits, but because the story is so good & important. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
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10/10
The Real Story Beats the Fictional One
eye9518 December 2020
These three men were real heroes who honorably, at great personal risk, and despite the horrific torture of one of them, served to speed the downfall of the Nazis-even to the point of saving the city of Innsbruck, without a single shot being fired.

The more famous film portrays Jews fighting in WWII as not being any better than the Nazis. This film reveals them to be quietly professional and effective.

At the end, it is hard not to swell with pride that the three men risked returning to Europe to fight against the Nazis and for the US.
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10/10
Watch This Documentary!
conmck-22 January 2021
I thoroughly liked this documentary. These men were heroes. Brave beyond belief. This documentary may seem dry because we Americans like hot action, but understanding that it was people like these men who soldiered on that helped win the war. The level of fear and understanding of what could happen if they were caught and how many other people would be affected is overwhelming. All the quiet towns people who carried messages and aided as they could were incredibly brave. I don't think people today appreciate the fear the Nazi's struck into the World's heart. The loss of democracy was worth fighting for.
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9/10
I. Am. In. Awe.
gguy-294933 June 2018
While this may not be an A-movie in production values, I must say that it was beautifully done and had an A-movie story to tell. I am in awe. Well done.
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10/10
Extraordinary Documentary
lanell-24-45615321 March 2022
This story is historic and told so well. The interviews with the real "bastards" are phenomenal., especially Fred Mayer. The role one soldier played in WWII is unbelievable. One soldier, Fred Mayer, changed the course of WWII. I love the archived footage and interviews.
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3/10
What he say?
jimel988 June 2020
What should have been an excellent and fascinating documentary was for me, a huge disappointment and for one reason, the sound was horrible. I have good hearing, but whomever was responsible for the sound committed a war crime. I could barely hear the gents tell their own story and the narrator can barely be heard over excessive music and sound effects. And frankly, whomever let this slip by should also face trial. Very unfortunate!
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10/10
Truly interesting
mindy337324 July 2021
This documentary was really good. A side of WW2 I had never heard of before which is disappointing because everyone really should know about this. So many heroic people were involved in this mission and it's a shame that they are aren't well known. My only complaints are that I had a really hard time understanding anyone so I had to watch with CC and also I wish it had been longer but I loved it so much I'm still giving it 10 stars! I'd definitely recommend that you watch this.
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10/10
Uplifting
bjrowling4 May 2024
Brilliant documentary, nicely interspersed with recreations, of the true story of Operation Greenup. As a WW2 fanatic I was absolutely glued to it the whole way through. The courage and desire of these men was unbelievable. The early days of the OSS ( forerunner to the CIA) where the men virtually picked and suggested their own missions was exciting stuff. These men were true patriots who did everything for their love of freedom and their detestation of the Nazis. They really did change the course of history and helped to shorten the war. Fred Mayer especially was an absolute hero and his torture in Nazi controlled Innsbruck was an incredible act of survival and will. Nicely done.
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