Advertising for ‘Inglourious Basterds’ (or b*******?)

The publicity for Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds is a minefield. ‘Bastard’ is both a legitimate word and, by vice of context, one of abuse. Written out, basterd is not bastard. On the radio, it sounds the same. This is a quandary for reviewers with conservative audiences.

Outdoor billboards in Britain carry the full name of the film, whereas posters on London Underground simply go with picture, quotes and credits – the name is absent. Is this because the Tube is a captive audience, more than a carload (possibly of kids) passing a poster underneath a bridge in the Prius? Is it a measure to limit offence, or simply a different choice of image? The Tube is a defined market that’s easy to set limits on, but can you really imagine an outdoor poster proclaiming ‘Bastard’ under any other circumstances? Would sexual references irritate Joe Public more? A curious orange.