PSSST, want to see “The Inglorious Bastards” this weekend? It’s receiving its New York theatrical premiere Friday and Saturday at midnight at the IFC Center.
Careful spellers will notice that this is not the upcoming Quentin Tarantino epic “Inglourious Basterds,” which is not opening until Aug. 21, but rather the original 1978 war movie upon which it is based. And while it seems just wrong that it is premiering at a rarefied art-house cinema rather than a 42nd Street grind house, well, times have changed.
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Italian director Enzo Castellari was at the helm of the original picture, which starred Bo Svenson (the “Walking Tall” sequels) and blaxploitation icon Fred “The Hammer” Williamson in an action-filled tale about a group of condemned soldiers who escape and try to make their way to Switzerland. It actually bears little relation to Tarantino’s ultraviolent remake, which uses only the name and general concept.
For some reason, the original never received a US theatrical release, although it did appear in various video versions, including one hilariously renamed “G.I. Bro” that was geared to Williamson’s urban fans.
Needless to say, Castellari is delighted by the renewed attention being given to his career. Speaking from Rome, where he is editing his upcoming release “Caribbean Basterds” — old exploitation habits clearly die hard — the 71-year-old director is quick to praise his most rabid fan.
“I consider him a brilliant and gifted man. I thanked many times Quentin for choosing my movie, among the millions done in the world, to remake,” he says. “It’s a dream come true! My name came back in the height of fame, and for this I began to receive many offers, like years back. I told Quentin that I would recognize him a percentage of my income,” he laughs, his English not quite perfect.
Castellari, who did a cameo as a Nazi general in his version, reprises his role in the remake, which also features a nearly unrecognizable Svenson. The veteran director has actually made dozens of features, including many crime dramas and spaghetti Westerns, in his long career. “Bastards” is not even his personal favorite — that would be his 1976 Western, “Keoma.”
“I do invite the ones who have never seen it to go out and buy or rent a copy,” he says. “You will understand why.”
If you can’t get to the midnight shows this weekend, be advised that “The Inglorious Bastards” is available on DVD and has just been reissued in Blu-ray. Both editions include generous bonus features, including a conversation between Castellari and Tarantino that is, not surprisingly, a virtual lovefest between the veteran helmer and his enthusiastic acolyte.