'Inglourious Basterds' plot questions answered: Why did Hans Landa let Shoshanna go?

Inglourious Basterds is a Quentin Tarantino directorial film. People familiar with the director's work are aware that his films require multiple screenings to understand the subtle details hidden throughout the runtime which go missing during the initial watch. Read below to know some of the Inglourious Basterds plot's questions and their answers - 

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1) Why did Hans Landa let Shoshanna go?

Hans simply lets Landa walk away as he believes that she may not survive the night. The original draft of the film consisted of a scene which explained the plot point. However, it was slashed down in the final cut. 

2) How did Hans Landa know they were under the floor?

The main antagonist of the film, Hans Landa, is known in the movie for being a smart and shrewd Standartenführer. Through the course of his interrogation, Hans Landa ends up manipulating the farmers. Since Jews are regarded by Hans to be rats in the film, he assumes they are under the floor like actual rats. 

3) What is Aldo Raine sniffing?

Throughout the runtime of the film, Aldo Raine can be seen sniffing a 'Powdered Snuff'. It is a type of tobacco which is sniffed through the nose. 

4) Why does Landa kill hammersmark?

Landa killing Hammersmark is one of the most disturbing scenes in the film. But, there is no particular motive  behind the action. He kills her as it gives him pleasure. 

5) Did Hans Landa recognize Shoshanna?

Landa does not recognise Shoshana. He fails to get a good look at her in the opening of the film itself. 

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6)  Is Hans Landa a real person?

No, Hans Landa is a completely fictionalised character. 

7) What dessert do they eat in Inglourious Basterds?

Strudel. It is an iteration of the pastry which has a sweet filling inside it. 

8) Did Hans Landa survive?

Yes. Hans Landa survives the events of the film. He gets a swastika carved onto his forehead with a knife by Lt. Aldo Raine. 

9) Why does Hans Landa drink milk?

The director or any people included in the making of the milk have not revealed the real reason behind Landa drinking milk. It can be deemed as a creative decision. 

10) Who killed who in Inglourious Basterds bar scene?

Wicki kills Mata Hari by shooting her in the heart. Eric kills Stiglitz who is later killed by Wicki with a bullet right in his head. Wilhelm at the end of the bar scene, guns down Wicki and Mathilda. 

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11)  How long is the bar scene in Inglourious Basterds?

It is a nearly 25-minute-long sequence. Interestingly, the scene starts off the when viewers are 69 minutes into the film and the sequence is deemed to be challenging to watch as scenes prior to it were shorter. 

12) Is Hans Landa a psychopath?

Yes. Hans Landa as a character has been studied multiple times by movie enthusiasts and his behaviour often hints at him not being psychologically fit. 

13) Does Hugo Stiglitz die?

Yes. Hugo Stiglitz dies in the tavern sequence. 

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