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Poster for The Tin Drum

The Tin Drum

Seen it?

1979 | 162 min | Drama, History, War

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

It earned strong reviews (84% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won an Oscar and it made about 6 times its budget. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for history buffs. If you loved Schindler's List or Inglourious Basterds, start here.
The mood
Intense.
The pace
Unhurried and epic, at 2 hr 42 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated R: meant for adults.
  • It's long: 2 hr 42 min.
  • It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1979: an older pace and style.

In 1924, Oskar Matzerath is born in the Free City of Danzig. At age three, he falls down a flight of stairs and stops growing. In 1939, World War II breaks out.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    84% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.0 out of 10

  • AwardsStrong

    Won 1 Oscar: Best International Feature Film. Won 1 Cannes award: Palme d'Or.

  • Box office & staying powerStrong

    $17 million worldwide on a $3 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 209K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Volker Schlöndorff

  • Mario AdorfAlfred Matzerath
  • Angela WinklerAgnes Matzerath
  • David BennentOskar Matzerath
  • Katharina ThalbachMaria Matzerath
  • Daniel OlbrychskiJan Bronski
  • Tina EngelYoung Anna Koljaiczek
  • Berta DrewsAnna Koljaiczek
  • Roland TeubnerJoseph Koljaiczek
  • Tadeusz KunikowskiUncle Vinzenz
  • Andréa FerréolLina Greff