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Major Dieter Hellstrom is one of the two secondary antagonists (alongside Fredrick Zoller) of the 2009 Quentin Tarantino film Inglourious Basterds. He is a Gestapo Major who was stationed in France during WWII and served under Joseph Goebbels.
He was portrayed by August Diehl.
Biography[]
Hellstrom was born in Germany, and appears to be in his late 30s. He is a Major in the Gestapo, serving in the Third Reich, and if his claims are to be taken seriously, he's responsible for all the officers currently stationed in France, knowing all the officers and Staff Sergeants stationed there. He is also responsible for organizing the security detail for the movie premiere of the Nation's Pridealong with col. Hans Landa.
Personality[]
Hellstrom often appears to be something of a counter-ego to the courteous Hans Landa, acting like a stereotypical Nazi officer in foreigners' perception. Unlike the Colonel, Hellstrom behaves brashly, as when he rudely orders Emmanuelle Mimieux to enter the car, before bluntly shoving her into it. However, after arriving at the restaurant, he pours her champagne, pretentiously, to appear well-mannered in front of Goebbels.
Later at the tavern, he abused his rank as a Major to take Hugo Stiglitz's seat at Bridget von Hammersmark's table. When Cpt. Hicox confronted him on his intrusion, Hellstrom quickly dismissed Hicox's objection, stating that he only intruded if the Fraulein (Hammersmark) said so.
Hellstrom is very perspicacious, as he quickly noticed Cpt. Hicox's unusual German accent and the group's constant yelling and questioning them. He appeared to accept the Captain’s made-up story for a while (although this was likely a trick to calm the spies down) before picking up on the latter's identity as a spy. When Hellstrom did realize the truth, his attitude turned completely, calling Hammersmark a "slut" when she tried to cover for Hicox. Notably, when he sits down, he slaps Stiglitz in the back, possibly to put a salt-in-the-wound insult in his bitterness/
Dieter Hellstrom seems to enjoy music, reading, and solitude, as was seen when Wilhelm was enjoying his celebrations, he was sitting in silence in a private booth, drinking beer, reading a book, and listening to a gramophone record.
Additionally, he also appears to be skilled in languages, as his English was very clear and he easily picked up "Speaking the King's" as an expression for the English language. The fact that he found Archie's accent unusual points to his linguistic knowledge. Despite this, he did not know much French, even though he was ironically stationed in France.
Chapter Three - GERMAN NIGHT IN PARIS[]
Hellstrom is first seen arriving at Le Gamaar Cinema in a German car. He rudely demands Emmanuelle Mimieux to come with him. Emmanuelle, who was actually Shosanna Dreyfus, entered the car with Hellstrom, thinking that her cover might have been blown. Instead, the Gestapo Major took her to a restaurant, where Frederick Zoller was waiting for her, along with Joseph Goebbels and Francesca Mondino. Here, he introduces himself to Shosanna, completely changing his attitude towards her, and smilingly invites her to have a seat. He also pours her some champagne. Afterwards, he sits at the table, at her left. Hellstrom later lights a cigarette, as Goebbels informs him that he hasn't agreed to change the cinema for his film premiere. When Hans Landaarrives at their table, he stands up. He, Goebbels, Mondino and Zoller depart, leaving Landa with Shosanna at the table.
Chapter Four - OPERATION KINO[]
He is seen at the La Louisiane tavern, in a room behind the bar. When he hears Hicox's strange accent, he comes out to question the undercover British officer. He buys Hicox's story about his accent and asks Wilhelm to return to his mates. He then joins their table and asks them what are they doing in France, as he knows every German stationed in the country (except Hugo Stiglitz, not recognizing him). Hearing the soldier's card game from the other table, he says that he hasn't joined them because, as Hicox said, an officer does not fraternize with enlisted men. But as they're all officers (and a sophisticated lady friend of officers), they could play the game. Bridget agrees, and Hellstrom goes to the soldiers table, asking for a few cards. He returns at the table, and splits the cards to the Basterds, telling them the rules of the game. He then shouts at Eric to bring them pencils. He takes Stiglitz's card and sticks it on his forehead. It reads "King Kong".
Using his detective skills, he manages to learn what is written on the card. When Hicox politely tells him that he's intruding, Hellstrom asks Bridget if he's intruding, to which she says no, so he concludes that the captain is immune to his charms. He immediately starts to laugh, and tells him he was joking. He tells them that he's indeed intruding and offers to give them some 33 year old whiskey that Eric has. He asks Eric to bring them the whiskey, but he will not drink as he still has some beer. When Hicox asks for 3 glasses, Hellstrom sees that he's using the wrong fingers. The Major raises his glass and toasts. After he drinks the beer, he cocks his Walther P38 and informs the captain that he's pointing it at his testicles. Hicox tells him that he also has a pistol pointed at his testicles, as well as Stiglitz. Hellstrom refuses the offer to come with him, and tells him that no matter what will happen in the room, the two will never leave it alive, and that they will have to shoot Wilhelm and his friends as well.
When Hicox asks the Major if he can go out speaking English, he allows him. Hicox then says that there's a special rung in hell for people for waste good scotch. After finishing his scotch, he says there is now only one thing left to be done, and signals Stiglitz to shoot the Major. Stiglitz says "Say Auf Wiedersehen to your Nazi balls!" then shoots Hellstrom in the testicles, who in turn shoots Hicox in the testicles, who also fires at Hellstrom's testicles. Immediately, Hugo jumps out of his chair and stabs him in the back of his neck with his knife, killing him for good.
External Links[]
Major Dieter Hellstrom on Inglorious Bastards Wiki
