MovieChat Forums > Inglourious Basterds (2009) Discussion > Major Hellstrom and the tavern scene

Major Hellstrom and the tavern scene


Do you think he knew the whole time that Hicox was lying or did he only figure it out after he ordered the drinks? Personally, I think he knew from the minute he heard his accent, and the "three glasses" only cemented his knowledge.
Thoughts?

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Hellstrom struck me as a total glory hound. He probably *wanted* Hicox to be an agent, and was trying to jump on any opportunity he could to prove how brilliant he is at spotting people.
This was an intense scene, however I still do not get what the "three glasses" meant, that according to von Hammersmark tipped off Hellstrom. Tho' I harken back to the beginning when Landa was telling LaPadite about the 'cunning of a hawk,' and 'rat' comparison in dialogue. Hellstrom was a true menace, and his demise was entertainingly fitting.

- DominicD

"Say auf wiedersehn to your Nazi balls." -- Sgt. Stiglitz, Inglourious Basterds - http://tinyurl.com/lnlzqa

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Interesting that Stiglitz nor Wicki who were both German didn't pick up on this dead giveaway by Hicox, and in shooting Hellstrom from the get go, and gaining the element of surprise - but I guess that would have taken the plot in another direction. Anyway thanks for that bit of cultural nuance!

- DominicD

"Always make the audience suffer as much as possible." - A. Hitchcock

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Interesting that Stiglitz nor Wicki who were both German didn't pick up on this dead giveaway by Hicox


I suspect they were both focused intently on Hellstrom and simply missed it. Bridget picked up on it instantly; if you look at her face right after Hicox does it, she "breaks character" for a second and looks completely horrified. In fact, even if Hellstrom had missed the fingers, one look at her expression would've confirmed that something was up.

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i think he had suspicions, but they were allayed enough to the point that he was willing to let them alone, but then the 3 fingers, you see him see it, and you know something has turned inside him, irrecovably. He had no proof before, and may not worth the risk to question it further, but now he had proof.

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i think he had suspicions, but they were allayed enough to the point that he was willing to let them alone, but then the 3 fingers, you see him see it, and you know something has turned inside him, irrecovably. He had no proof before, and may not worth the risk to question it further, but now he had proof.


Agree completely with this. He had doubts, but the Piz Palu story, and the actual Bridget vH being there made it just plausible enough. The finger gesture pushed him past the doubt.

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Thinking of King Kong in the game probably tipped him off too. Something tells me that wasn't a big film in Germany. But yeah. Intense scene. I really liked it. It was also tragic. Hated seeing Hugo Stiglitz getting killed.

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You'd think the major would recognize Hugo

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I think he had his suspicions all along about Hugo - he was riding him by smacking him in the chest - several times. I think he hoped to make Hugo break cover by pushing his buttons knowing the temper and hatred of the nazis that he had.

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Piz Palu is in Switzerland; do swiss germans signal 3 the same way ?

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A better question is why he escalated the situation when he made the connection. Why not simply excuse yourself and prepare a defense up top? They're in a basement, after all. There would be no escape. Clearly it as a bit of a pissing contest and the major wanted to beat Hicox face-to-face, as would I, but not at the cost of my life, which was certain.

(yes, I know the answer is that the movie is better for the brouhaha in the basement. But just as an exercise in thought, you know...)

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Or he could have just said to the Major "Alright, it's been fun, but we have to go" and just left.

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A better question is why he escalated the situation when he made the connection. Why not simply excuse yourself and prepare a defense up top? They're in a basement, after all. There would be no escape. Clearly it as a bit of a pissing contest and the major wanted to beat Hicox face-to-face, as would I, but not at the cost of my life, which was certain.


He didn't know the other Germans sat at that table were conspiring with Hicox. He would've assumed they'd help him once he identified the odd one out.

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I don't agree with your observation. Its an either or all deal. If Hicox is an allied spy then all of them have to be. They were presented as all old friends. Get what I'm saying ?
If the rest were true German soldiers they too would know Hicox was a spook. Either Hicox was a German officer or they were all lying through their teeth covering for him.

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A better question is why he escalated the situation when he made the connection


Because he was arrogant - Hellstrom himself realized his mistake when Hugo "pointed" the pistol at him.

He looked thrown off for just a second, then instantly realized (A) he was going to die and (B) he was at least going to take Hicox with him.

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And at that range, Hugo was a real Frederick Zoller. QT at his finest.

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I maybe wrong but I think one of them doing King Kong for the game should've tipped him off.

"No officer! I swear!" Al, Toy Story 2

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It was a very popular film in Europe. It is no more bizarre than some German today making a "Star Wars" reference. Remember earlier, when Germans discuss Charlie Chaplin? American films were just as *big* overseas back then, as they are today. The Trivia section even mentions that "King Kong" was Hitler's favorite film.

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