Jules is not the only glutton in Tarantino’s universe. In 2009’s Inglourious Basterds we see greedy Nazi pigs lounging around in French restaurants, dining on fine lobsters and pâtés. This is an occupation of cuisine and country. Perhaps the biggest glutton of all is the cruel Jew-hunter Hans Landa. We watch Landa glug down a glass of fresh, creamy, white milk, staring into the eyes of the poor farmer, as silent Jews hide underneath the floorboards. We know the Jews are there, but does Landa? It is this dramatic irony coupled with the reveal that Landa knew they were there all along that makes this scene appear more sadistic in retrospect. He indulges in his glass of milk in the same way that he indulges in the fear that the farmer is trying so hard to mask. It his enjoyment in this cruel line of work that establishes his power.

Such suspense is increased tenfold later on in the film when Landa is literally sharing a table with ‘the one that got away’, Mademoiselle Shosanna. We are questioning again whether Landa knows that a Jew is right under his nose. He repeats his ritual of luxuriating, indulging in strudel with cream. He even orders the mademoiselle a glass of milk to wash down her serving. Is this Tarantino’s way of winking at his audience? Is Landa going to reveal at any moment that he does know exactly who he is sharing a table with, and he has just been revelling in the sadistic pleasure he gains from her agonising fear? The power balance could shift at any moment and it is the ritualistic nature of eating the best strudel you’ve ever seen that symbolises this.