The Poster Memorabilia blog

My Glorious Meeting with the Inglourious Basterds

Basterds, Brangelina, and one poster signed by the whole ensemble — minus the man of the hour.

By an anonymous Hollywood insider

There are very few movies that I actually consider a true ensemble. Even films touted as having “all-star casts” don't always do it for me. A true ensemble has amazing chemistry among its cast members, regardless of whether there's a big name in there or not. Case in point: Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds.

Despite having Brad Pitt as the lead, I'd say that the other actors stole the show. Obviously, there's Christoph Waltz, who went on to win all the awards for his iconic portrayal of Hans Landa, as well as Diane Kruger, who never looked more beautiful than when she starred as Helen of Troy in Troy, coincidentally with Brad Pitt, too.

Mind you, this was during the height of the Brangelina power couple phenomenon. Angelina Jolie even joined him for practically all the premieres, from its debut at Cannes to the Hollywood premiere months later, which I actually attended. I personally witnessed how crazy people went for them.

So for the rest of the cast to overshadow him—in a Tarantino film, no less—truly speaks to how great of an ensemble this movie had. I initially went to the LA premiere to get Brad Pitt's autograph, but looking back, I’m prouder that I got all of them to sign my poster.

I thought it would've been enough to just get Pitt because, well, he's one of the biggest movie stars in the world. I don't exactly get posters signed to sell them on, but even I understand that anything signed by a celebrity of that caliber becomes something special.

Now, I think the poster is even more special since it was also signed by Christoph Waltz, Diane Kruger, Daniel Brühl, Mélanie Laurent, Eli Roth, and B.J. Novak. Admittedly, I didn't know much about them when I got their autographs, but after watching the movie, I became a huge fan of all of them.

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That night was so glorious, too. Everyone was excited about Tarantino's new film, and it was the first time Brad Pitt worked with the director. It may have sounded like I was downplaying his performance by praising Waltz and the others, but I actually really liked it. I even think it's one of his best roles to date.

“Seeing him and Angelina Jolie was like seeing historic monuments in person.”

Meeting him in real life really made it click for me that movie stars are real. Seeing him and Angelina Jolie was like seeing historic monuments in person. You know they exist, but you still can't believe they're right in front of your very eyes. Sometimes, I look at his autograph on this poster to remind myself I actually met him.

My only regret that night was not meeting Tarantino. He was the man of the hour, so he was busier with the press than the cast. He still interacted with fans, though, but he didn't get to my side of the fan pit.

Getting him to sign this poster would've been amazing, but I can't complain. The movie still has my favorite ensemble performance ever, and I'm proud I got all of their autographs.

Some things you watch. This one you keep.

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