The Evil Sherlock

The iconic character of Sherlock Holmes has been the test subject for experimentation by many filmmakers. Dissecting the character to fit the audience’s time frame, introducing modernity or an attempt at a comical farce, has resulted in the creation of different avatars of Holmes ranging from an indifferent side character in Enola Holmes (2020) to an elderly beekeeper clutching the strained wisps of his former glory in Mr. Holmes (2015). Since the representation of these characters are elementary, i.e. with a straightforward usage of the name “Sherlock Holmes,” when Christoph Waltz played Hans Landa in Inglorious Basterds (2009), it resulted in a delayed response (especially from my part) in discovering the evil Sherlock Holmes that he embodies. 

In this Tarantino movie, Hans Landa plays the role of the SS officer tasked with hunting down the Jews in France. To identify the Sherlock in him, one must consider Sherlock Holmes as “a brand,” as described by Amanda J. Field; taking into account the components that are part of the character. In the beginning of the film, while questioning Perrier Lapadite, Landa procures a large “calabash pipe,” a universal symbol of the famous detective. Although other elements, like the “Inverness cape,” “the violin,” and “the magnifying glass” are not depicted in the film, the pipe itself suffices in projecting a valid introduction to the persona. With impeccible manners, he showcases his ability to converse in multiple languages. During his many interrogations in the film, his initial charming approach and demeanor bring down the guard of the interviewees, and the calculating beast lurking beneath the façade is let out ferociously at the end. These types of mannerisms gives rise to escalated scenes, such as the shooting of the Jews hiding underneath Lapadite’s house and the raw scene of Hammersmark’s strangulation. His ability to charm is not only extended to the characters but to the audience as well. Straining away from a typical villain who draws the hate of the viewers, this well-dressed, well mannered, charming antagonist captures the hearts of the audience just like the real Sherlock  Holmes, and they are entertained by him.

Since Sherlock has always been part of the good guys, it is hard to conjure up a bad guy image. But when you look at his methods of approach for investigation, they are unorthodox, and in many instances he has strained away from confiding in the police and even takes up his own form of justice “…Holmes [is] an authority above the law—an exponent of a form of ‘natural justice,’” evidently making him dangerous and a formidable foe to watch out for if he were to stray from the heroic path, and this exact role is portrayed in Landa (Poore 27). In an interview, Waltz remarks that Landa, as a person, is “not driven by an ideology... he’s not even a Nazi. Yes, he wears that uniform, but he doesn't care. Not about Nazi ideology. He's completely unideological. He just understands how the world turns, and in that way, he's three steps ahead of everyone else.”

Landa’s detective brilliance procured him the title “The Jew Hunter,” where he proclaimes himself “A damn good detective. Finding people is my specialty.” Sherlock is proud of his abilities and his work, just like Landa. Sherlock’s movements and way of thinking are hard for readers to follow, and Poore describes how “Holmes’ brilliance, and the confident, decisive actions that he takes as a result, are tantalisingly beyond our reach” (26). In every mystery novel or film, the element of surprise acts as a seasoning, and for Sherlock, he has full command over the recipe. In Inglorious Basterds, Tarantino describes Landa’s methods or his interrogation as a “piece of theater, or a mind game with the participant.” Hence, the reason for not chasing after Shoshanna as she tries to escape in the beginning; for him, it was just a game.

Rather than getting disappointed by the portrayal of an evil Sherlock Holmes who does not rise to the standards of its predecessor, the audience is left with clues to find the evil Sherlock in Landa, to be bewitched by this character.

References

“GENIUS CHARACTER REVEALS: Hans Landa (INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS).” Industrial Scripts, October 30, 2018, https://industrialscripts.com/hans-landa/,

Inglourious Basterds, Directed by Quentin Tarantino, The Weinstein Company, 2009.

“Interview: Christoph Waltz on Playing Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds, Working With Quentin Tarantino and Brad Pitt, and the Legendary Strudel Scene.” SlashFilm.com, August 25. 2009, https://www.slashfilm.com/505064/interview-christoph-waltz-on-playing-hans-landa-in-inglourious-basterds-working-with-quentin-tarantino-and-brad-pitt-and-the-legendary-strudel-scene/.

Poore, B. (2017). The Deductionist: Surveying the Character of Sherlock Holmes. In: Sherlock Holmes from Screen to Stage. Adaptation in Theatre and Performance. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-46963-2_2.

“Quentin Tarantino.” Charlie Rose, September 21. 2009, https://charlierose.com/videos/26959.