'Inglourious Basterds' and the lighter side of Nazis

'Inglourious Basterds' and the lighter side of Nazis: By Whitney Friedlander, Kate Stanhope and Denise Martin

Nazi movies as tear-jerking Oscar bait? Sure. Nazi movies as fun, gory, popcorn movie fodder? That hasnt been common for a long time -- at least not since films like Sophies Choice and Schindlers List started cleaning up on award nights.

Leave it to writer-director Quentin Tarantino, then, to turn back the clock to the 1970s once again, with Inglourious Basterds, when it would have been socially acceptable to make a film about revenge-seeking Jewish American GIs scalping and slaughtering their way through World War II Europe. But this isnt the 70s and the film has been the subject of much controversy (Hes rewriting history! Its insensitive! And hes not even Jewish!).

But as you will see here, Tarantino isnt the first to make a monkey out of Hitler. Here are some other projects that have made light of the Third Reich. 

RELATED:
Inglourious Basterds defies summer wisdom
(Francois Duhamel / Weinstein Co.)
 
View all
Next
1 of 11

 

By Whitney Friedlander, Kate Stanhope and Denise Martin

Nazi movies as tear-jerking Oscar bait? Sure. Nazi movies as fun, gory, popcorn movie fodder? That hasn't been common for a long time -- at least not since films like "Sophie's Choice" and "Schindler's List" started cleaning up on award nights.

Leave it to writer-director Quentin Tarantino, then, to turn back the clock to the 1970s once again, with "Inglourious Basterds," when it would have been socially acceptable to make a film about revenge-seeking Jewish American GIs scalping and slaughtering their way through World War II Europe. But this isn't the '70s and the film has been the subject of much controversy (He's rewriting history! It's insensitive! And he's not even Jewish!).

But as you will see here, Tarantino isn't the first to make a monkey out of Hitler. Here are some other projects that have made light of the Third Reich.

RELATED:
'Inglourious Basterds' defies summer wisdom
 
View all
Next
Find it fast

couples_retreat_300x125
 

What's On Tonight
Criminal Minds (CBS) Criminal Minds (CBS)

C. Thomas Howell guest stars as the Reaper in the 100th episode. 9 p.m. ET.

TV Listings Guide

All Times Eastern

View Complete Guide to TV Listings