Interpersonal Communication in Quentin Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of communication within Quentin Tarantino's film, "Inglorious Basterds." It examines how communication, both verbal and non-verbal, drives the narrative and develops characters. The essay focuses on interpersonal communication theories, including the social penetration theory, uncertainty reduction theory, and DeVito's Six-Stage Model of Relationship Development, to illustrate how relationships evolve and influence the plot. The analysis includes specific scenes and character interactions to demonstrate the practical application of these theories within the film's context. Furthermore, the essay highlights how elements like language, accent, and gestures are strategically employed to create tension, convey meaning, and advance the storyline. Overall, the essay concludes that interpersonal communication is intricately woven into the film's script and screenplay, playing a crucial role in character dynamics and plot progression.

Running head: COMMUNICATION
Communication
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author’s note

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Films are a form of audiovisual communication. It is a culmination of communication
skills and theories along with aesthetics and knowledge about art. A film is a team effort and in
the process of making a film as well as in the purpose of making a film communication plays an
essential part (Young and Garland). There are a number of types of communication that is
present in a film, first of all films are a medium of mass communication, apart from that within
the script of a movie there are instances of interpersonal communication as well as intrapersonal
communication that leads the story ahead and reaches its climax (Young and Garland). In order
to attend to the requirement of the assignment the movie that has been chosen is “Inglorious
Bastered”, written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The movie is a good example of how
communication leads a story and how non-verbal communication derives certain plot points and
twists in the screenplay. The essay will explore interpersonal communication theories with the
help of examples from the selected film.
Interpersonal communication is a two way communication process which can be in
between two individuals or an individual with a group of people. The message is transmitted
with the help of a medium form the sender to the receiver and the perceived message is then
decoded by the receiver and the process continues with a feedback of the message (Bylund,
Peterson, and Cameron). The film is an action-thriller that is beautifully woven in the
communication in between the main characters, as well as the supporting cast. Social penetration
theory is one of the most relevant theories of communication in the movie (Bylund, Peterson,
and Cameron). Throughout the film there are instances of development of relational closeness as
there are a number of introductory scenes. Example of such a sequence is where Lt. Aldo Raine
(Brad Pitt) introduces the concept of “ Inglorious Bastards” to the eight soldiers that has been
chosen to undertake a mission. The communication is one to many and the messages are crisp

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and clear, location, task. First he introduces the task in brief and then he describes what he
expects form the mission. This establishes a relation in between the characters who are going to
be in the center of the plot. According to the theory, feelings and emotions ought to be
reciprocated for a successful and long lasting relationship. And that is established in this scene.
Another relationship development theory that is relevant in the movie is Uncertainty
Reductions Theory, the theory establishes relationship development process in between people
who are strangers or know less about each other. It explains that a person goes through stages
from an introductory phase to a personal phase with the help of communication (Rains and
Riva). A good example of this is the sequence in the bar where German soldier are gathered. Lt.
Hickox (Michael Fassbender) was an English man who was pretending to be a German soldier
and carry out a mission, his communication and introduction with Bridget von Hammersmark
(Diane Kruger) it was sublet hints of communication that the two characters understood that they
were on the same mission, as they had a very brief idea of the task. Here the establishment of the
relationship of the two characters from being complete strangers to striving to carry out a
mission explains and establishes the Uncertainty Reductions Theory (Kuzmin).
The model of Relationship Development is DeVito's Six-Stage Model (DeVito and
DeVito), has relevance with the characters and their relation with the others. The stages in the
process are: contact, involvement, intimacy, deterioration, repair and dissolution (Shahin and
Nikneshan).
Contact: this is the first step and it explains the situation where people get to know each
other. One aspect of the film revolves around Soshana (Mélanie Laurent) whose relation with
Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz) is developed in the first sequence of the film where he

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assassinates her family ruthlessly (DeVito and DeVito). There is an abstract contact with the
characters and their relationship is one-sided as Soshana is the only survivor of the massacre she
developed a relation with Hans of hatred and revenge (Shahin and Nikneshan).
Involvement: forming a bond and engaging with one another, the instance where the
group of soldiers engages in their first task, the communication in between the group suggests
that they understand the perspective of each other and share their hate for the Nazis (DeVito and
DeVito).
Intimacy: at this stage the relationship is deep and committed. The growth of the bond
among the group of soldiers establishes the intimacy among them. The sequence where the group
is interrogating a group of German soldiers to gather some intel. Here the tone of speech, the
ease in the characters in understanding each other, complimenting each other with actions and
words establishes intimacy (Shahin and Nikneshan).
Deterioration: the relationship in between Soshana and Hans Landa deteriorates as she
grew up and focuses her hatred that she had developed from Hans in a bigger mission (DeVito
and DeVito).
Repair: In the pub scene where the shootout takes place there is a repair of relation
among the Germans as character of Michael Fassbender establishes himself to be a part time
actor. With verbal communication he explains why his accent is different.
Dissolution: This is the end stage of the relation that is created; the death of the characters
in the film ends all the established relations (Shahin and Nikneshan).

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The relation among the group “Inglorious Basterds” is the most established relation in the
film. It is maintained by communication which intends to complete their mission of killing as
many Nazis as possible. The anecdotes shared by the people (verbal communication), the mutual
feeling of hatred towards the Nazis (Gestures and behavioral traits example anger and
aggression) are used throughout the movie to maintain the relationship.
It can be concluded form the above discussion that interpersonal communication is
woven in the script and the screenplay. Elements of communication like language, accent,
gestures etc are used very technically to move the plot ahead. A major example of gestural
communication use in the movie is the sign of three by the character of Michael Fassbender,
which immediately gives away his pretence and leads to thrilling sequence.

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Reference List:
Bylund, Carma L., Emily B. Peterson, and Kenzie A. Cameron. "A practitioner's guide to
interpersonal communication theory: An overview and exploration of selected theories." Patient
Education and Counseling 87.3 (2012): 261-267.
DeVito, Joseph A., and Joe DeVito. The interpersonal communication book. Boston, MA:
Pearson/Allyn and Bacon, 2007.
Kuzmin, Evgeny. "Fundamentals in systematics of uncertainty management theory." (2015).
Rains, Stephen A., and Riva Tukachinsky. "An examination of the relationships among
uncertainty, appraisal, and information-seeking behavior proposed in uncertainty management
theory." Health Communication 30.4 (2015): 339-349.
Shahin, Arash, and Payam Nikneshan. "Integration of CRM and QFD: a novel model for
enhancing customer participation in design and delivery." The TQM Journal 20.1 (2008): 68-86.
Young, William, and Wilson Garland. "Audiovisual communication and learning management
system." U.S. Patent Application No. 14/594,074.

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