Inglourious Basterds: record opening weekend for Quentin Tarantino

Christoph Waltz, who plays SS Colonel Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds

It marked the biggest opening of Tarantino’s career, beating Reservoir Dogs,Pulp Fiction and both Kill Bill movies.

The film took a total of $65.1 million around the world, including $37.6 million in North America where it shot straight to the top of the box office chart. Tarantino’s previous record opening in North America was $25.1 million for Kill Bill Vol 2 in 2004.

German moviegoers also lapped up the Second World War tale, a revenge fantasy starring Brad Pitt as the leader of a Jewish-American group out to scalp Nazis. The film topped the box office there and in other countries including France, Australia and the US.

At the US box office, Inglourious Basterds trounced nearest rivals District 9, GI Joe: The Rise of Cobraand The Time Traveller’s Wife. Critic reviews have been mixed although there has been universal praise for Christoph Waltz, the Austrian actor who steals the film with his role as SS colonel Hans Landa. Diane Kruger, Eli Roth and Melanie Laurent also star.

Talk has already turned to a prequel, with the Weinstein Co keen to capitalise on the film’s success. According to Harvey Weinstein, the plot forInglourious Basterds II is already set and Pitt is ready to sign up.