The Tin Drum (1979)
Runtime: 2 hrs 22 mins
Synopsis: Novelist Günter Grass assisted in this brilliant film adaptation of his groundbreaking novel, which depicts the significant events in German history since the turn of the century as seen through the eyes of a bizarre child. In this allegorical film, a three-year-old boy observes the... Novelist Günter Grass assisted in this brilliant film adaptation of his groundbreaking novel, which depicts the significant events in German history since the turn of the century as seen through the eyes of a bizarre child. In this allegorical film, a three-year-old boy observes the hypocrisy of the adult world and decides to remain a child forever by not growing any taller. His primary efforts to communicate consist of glass-shattering screams and banging on his tin drum. But as this unusual lad matures, and the events leading up to the onslaught of Nazism come to a head, he proves to have a keener perception of life than those around him. Volker Schlondorff's powerful drama deservedly won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. [More]
Genre: Foreign Films
Starring: David Bennent, Mario Adorf, Angela Winkler
Story: Gunter Grass
Composer: Maurice Jarre
Producer: Franz Seitz, Anatole Dauman
DVD Info
Release:
May 18, 2004
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Double Keep Case
- Single Side - Dual Layer
- Widescreen - 1.78
Audio:
- Mono - German
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - German
Additional Release Material:
- Audio Commentary - 1. Volker Schlondorff - Director, Co-Writer
- Deleted Scenes
- Featurettes - 1. "Volker Schlondorff Remembers THE TIN DRUM" (21:00)
- 2. "The Platform" (Rare 1987 German Recording of Grass Reading From THE TIN DRUM Accompanied by the Music of Famed Improvisational Percussionist Gunter "Baby" Sommer"
- Video Interviews - 1. Volker Schlondorff - Director, David Bennent - Star (at the 1979 Cannes Film Festival)
- 2. Jean-Claude Carriere - Co-Writer, Mario Adorf - Star
- 3. Schlondorff - Director, Gunter Grass - Writer (On Set)
- 4. Schlondorff - Director (After Winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes)
- Documentary - 1. "Banned in Oklahoma"
- Isolate Music Track by Composer Maurice Jarre
- Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer
Text/Image Galleries:
- Reprinted Exceprt of the Screenplay's Original, Unfilmed Ending
- Production Sketches, Designs, and Promotional Art
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Reviews
Technically and stylistically, The Tin Drum is an astounding work. Thematically, it strives for an importance it only sometimes achieves
Oskar's story touches on so many facets of life it's hard to know where to start analyzing.
The Tin Drum is a lusty, volatile, surreal and chlling view of the rise and fall of the Third Reich.
Schlöndorff’s treatment of this material is horribly flawed because he’s too interested in making the audience feel comfortable before he starts damning everything.

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