IMDb > Die bitteren Tränen der Petra von Kant (1972)

Die bitteren Tränen der Petra von Kant (1972) More at IMDbPro »


IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
7.4/10   1,832 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?

Up 11% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Writers:

Rainer Werner Fassbinder (play)
Rainer Werner Fassbinder (screenplay)

Contact:

View company contact information for The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant on IMDbPro.

Release Date:

5 October 1972 (West Germany) more

Genre:

Drama more

Tagline:

Sex is the ultimate weapon.

Plot:

Petra von Kant is a successful fashion designer -- arrogant, caustic, and self-satisfied. She mistreats Marlene (her secretary... more | add synopsis

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination more

User Comments:

Great film, glad I don't live there more (18 total)


Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Margit Carstensen ... Petra von Kant
Hanna Schygulla ... Karin Thimm
Katrin Schaake ... Sidonie von Grasenabb
Eva Mattes ... Gabriele von Kant
Gisela Fackeldey ... Valerie von Kant
Irm Hermann ... Marlene
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:

The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant (USA)
more

Runtime:

124 min

Country:

West Germany

Language:

German

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1 more

Sound Mix:

Mono


Fun Stuff

Trivia:

Rainer Werner Fassbinder wrote the entire screenplay for the film by hand during a single 12-hour flight from Berlin to Los Angeles. more

Quotes:

Petra von Kant: It's a waste of time being nice to servants. more

Movie Connections:

References The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1933) more

Soundtrack:

The Great Pretender more


FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
13 out of 16 people found the following comment useful.
Great film, glad I don't live there, 1 May 1999
Author: Lexo-2 from Dublin, Ireland

One reviewer described Bitter Tears as "a high camp lesbian slumber party", and that sort of sums it up, except that the blankets are like the dressing gown Medea made for Jason's wife - dipped in acid. Fassbinder adapted it from his own play and basically filmed a performance - there's only one set, Petra's apartment, and the characters come and go exactly as in the play, with one crucial difference in the last minute of the movie. All the usual suspects are here; Margit Carstensen has a ball as the Swansonesque Petra, Hanna Schygulla slinks and drawls as Petra's lover, Irm Hermann is at her beaky best as the watchful Marlene. It all culminates in the birthday party to end all birthday parties. A tough one to get into, but you'll never see anything like it anywhere else.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (18 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Die bitteren Tränen der Petra von Kant (1972)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
David Lynch? limshun
Hard to rate something thats both good and boring.. jonasjobbar
Fassbinder in his own film? jg1972
picture's name gmeirellcb
Name of a song? jcarlo4981
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Gone with the Wind Rocco e i suoi fratelli Der Fangschuß Les liaisons dangereuses Edvard Munch
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Drama section IMDb West Germany section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.