Is Kino Der Toten Based on Inglourious Basterds? Unraveling the Connection
The short answer is: no, Kino Der Toten is not directly based on Inglourious Basterds. While both share a cinematic setting and have ties to World War II-era imagery, their inspirations and core concepts are distinct. Kino Der Toten, a beloved map from the Call of Duty Zombies franchise, draws its inspiration from a real-life theatre in Lawndale, California, whereas Inglourious Basterds, Quentin Tarantino’s film, is a work of historical fiction set during World War II. This article will explore the origins of each and delve into the nuances of their respective creations, while also addressing the common confusion caused by their similar settings.
The Genesis of Kino Der Toten
From Lawndale Theater to Zombie Survival
Kino Der Toten, which translates to “Cinema of the Dead” in German, made its debut in Call of Duty: Black Ops. Despite its German name, the map’s primary inspiration is not European. Instead, the aesthetic and layout are directly derived from a theatre located in Lawndale, California. This theatre, a historical landmark, served as a cornerstone for both the local Jewish community and the African-American community that later replaced it in the 1950s. This real-world location gives the map its unique sense of place and adds a layer of historical resonance. The theatre’s vintage design, featuring a grand lobby, balcony seating, and a projector room, is faithfully replicated within the game. This gives the game an authentic feel while contrasting against the hordes of zombies the players face.
The Setting and Atmosphere
Kino Der Toten is a survival map, placing players in a seemingly abandoned movie theatre, where wave after wave of zombies emerge. The map’s atmosphere is one of decaying grandeur, with tattered curtains, broken seats, and flickering lights adding to the tension. This environment was designed to create a claustrophobic and intense experience, forcing players to use every weapon and strategy at their disposal.
The World of Inglourious Basterds
An Alternate History of WWII
Inglourious Basterds, released in 2009, is a work of alternate history from director Quentin Tarantino. It reimagines World War II with a band of Jewish-American soldiers known as the “Basterds” who hunt Nazis with extreme prejudice. The film’s narrative is both violent and comedic, playing with historical accuracy for dramatic effect. While elements of the film are loosely inspired by real events and figures, most of the narrative and characters are fictional, including the infamous Operation Kino.
The Theater in Inglourious Basterds
A crucial part of the film’s climax takes place in a Parisian cinema, where Operation Kino, the Allied plot to assassinate the Nazi High Command, is executed during a film premiere. This cinema is a crucial setting, yet the movie’s design is not what inspired Kino Der Toten’s map. The “Kino” in Inglourious Basterds refers to the German word for cinema, which is relevant to the plot and operation, but this cinema is not the direct inspiration for the map’s design.
The Fictional Operation Kino
Operation Kino, within the context of the movie, is entirely fictional. There were no Allied plans to assassinate Nazi leaders by detonating explosives in a cinema. This operation is a narrative device for Tarantino to rewrite history with a fictional, cathartic conclusion. It is this fictional operation, and not the theatre’s design itself, that sometimes confuses people into thinking it’s linked to Kino Der Toten.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Frank Woods in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2?
Yes, Frank Woods makes a cameo appearance as a soldier in the beginning of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009).
What is the Inspiration for Kino Der Toten?
The primary inspiration for Kino Der Toten is a real-life theatre in Lawndale, California.
What War is Inglourious Basterds Based On?
Inglourious Basterds is set during an alternate version of World War II.
What is Project Kino in Inglourious Basterds?
Operation Kino is a fictional Allied plot in Inglourious Basterds to assassinate the Nazi High Command during a movie premiere. The term “Kino” is the German word for “cinema”.
Who is Hugo Stiglitz Based On?
The character Hugo Stiglitz is a homage to Mexican B-movie actor Hugo Stiglitz.
Who is Fredrick Zoller Based On?
Fredrick Zoller is loosely inspired by Matthäus Hetzenauer and also portrays a “Nazi Audie Murphy”.
Who is Hans Landa Based On?
Hans Landa is an entirely fictional character created by Tarantino.
What Does the Three Finger Symbol Mean in Inglourious Basterds?
The three-finger symbol is a critical plot device; the British use their index, middle, and ring finger when ordering three drinks. This is the giveaway for the British spies in the bar as they use a British three-finger sign instead of the “German three”.
Was Operation Kino Real?
No, Operation Kino was entirely fictional, created for the movie Inglourious Basterds.
What does OV Stand for in Kino?
In the context of films, OV stands for Original Version, typically referring to the original language of the film.
Why Did Landa Let Shoshanna Go?
Landa’s decision to let Shoshanna go was not an act of kindness but a cold calculation. He didn’t believe she would survive, and therefore, she was no longer his concern.
Did Hans Landa Recognize Shoshanna Later?
While Landa likely didn’t recognize Shoshanna visually, he may have had suspicions due to her situation and the unusual circumstances surrounding her ownership of the cinema.
How Did Shoshanna Get the Cinema?
Shoshanna inherited the cinema from her aunt and uncle.
Why is it Called Kino Der Toten?
Kino der Toten translates to “Cinema of the Dead” in German.
Is Nacht der Untoten a Real Place?
While Nacht der Untoten is not a real place, the design of this first Zombies map was loosely inspired by a Japanese Air HQ Building on Peleliu Island. In the game, it was relocated to Morasko, Poland.
Conclusion
In summary, while both Kino Der Toten and Inglourious Basterds feature cinematic settings and a connection to World War II, their origins and inspirations are entirely separate. Kino Der Toten finds its roots in a real-world theater in Lawndale, California, which provided a physical and historical touchstone for the map’s design. Meanwhile, Inglourious Basterds is a work of historical fiction that reimagines World War II with fictional characters and events. Though the film’s fictional “Kino” operation shares a name and a setting with the Zombies map, there is no direct design link between the two. Understanding the distinct sources of inspiration clarifies any confusion and highlights the unique creative visions behind both the game map and the film. The similarity is purely coincidental.