SHOP BLECHTROMMEL...
IMDb >
Blechtrommel, Die (1979)
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsnews articlesPromotional
taglinestrailers and videospostersphoto galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsBlechtrommel, Die (1979)
| Photos (see all 23 | slideshow) |
Overview
Release Date:
11 April 1980 (USA) moreTagline:
A savage, sweeping epic of society in chaos. [Video Australia] morePlot:
Danzig in the 1920s/1930s. Oskar Matzerath, son of a local dealer, is a most unusual boy. Equipped with... more | add synopsisPlot Keywords:
Drummer | Eiffel Tower Paris | Male To Female Foot In Crotch | Inspection | Medical moreAwards:
Won Oscar. Another 11 wins & 1 nomination moreUser Comments:
Beautifully disturbing moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Mario Adorf | ... | Matzerath | |
| Angela Winkler | ... | Agnes Matzerath | |
| David Bennent | ... | Oskar | |
| Katharina Thalbach | ... | Maria Matzerath | |
| Daniel Olbrychski | ... | Jan Bronski | |
| Tina Engel | ... | Anna Koljaiczek (jung) | |
| Berta Drews | ... | Anna Koljaiczek | |
| Roland Teubner | ... | Joseph Koljaiczek | |
| Tadeusz Kunikowski | ... | Onkel Vinzenz | |
| Andréa Ferréol | ... | Lina Greff (as Andréa Ferreol) | |
| Heinz Bennent | ... | Greff | |
| Ilse Pagé | ... | Gretchen Scheffler | |
| Werner Rehm | ... | Scheffler | |
| Käte Jaenicke | ... | Mutter Truczinski | |
| Helmut Brasch | ... | Der Alte Heilandt (as Helmuth Brasch) |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Blaszany bebenek (Poland)Limeni dobos (Yugoslavia: Serbian title)
Tambour, Le (France)
The Tin Drum (USA)
more
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
142 minAspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 moreSound Mix:
MonoCertification:
Australia:R (original rating) | Singapore:R21 | Australia:MA (re-rating) (2007) | Argentina:18 | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Hong Kong:III | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 (re-rating) (1994) (cut) | UK:15 (re-rating) (2003) (uncut) | UK:X (original rating) (cut) | USA:R | West Germany:16 (bw)MOVIEmeter: 
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Also banned in parts of Canada for its depiction of underage sexuality. moreGoofs:
Continuity: When Oskar breaks the teacher's glasses, the pattern of spots on his face change. moreQuotes:
Vendor: Look, if you please, at this extraordinary potato... this swelling, luxuriant flesh, forever conceiving new shapes... and yet so chaste. I love a potato, because it speaks to me. moreFAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more
Message Boards
Discuss this title with other users on IMDb message board for Blechtrommel, Die (1979) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Add a recommendation |
Show more recommendations
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
| Caligola | Malèna | Decameron, Il | Schindler's List | Salò o le 120 giornate di Sodoma |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Drama section | IMDb West Germany section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |

















It's been a while since I've seen this German film but I am still struck by key images in the film and the overall tone set forth casually against a backdrop of the chaos of Nazi Germany's rise and fall.
I do wonder how much of my love for this film is owed to the Gunter Grass novel on which it's based It's a quirky slab of magic realism to be sure, like the film, but I have no idea how closely it hews to the original.
The performances are nuanced and striking in places. The cinematography is appropriately dreary and the editing crisp and unadorned. The centerpiece though, is the performance by the child actor at the core of the film. How much is owed to his voice-over narrative, I don't know, but the man growing inside of the still-grown little boy was handled just beautifully.
It's a disturbing and strangely uplifting movie at once. I recommend it -- especially for those who have seen only black and white view of World War II and the typically American view of our adversaries in German.