Tattoo (1981): Cast & Plot
Tattoo is a 1981 drama thriller directed by Bob Brooks, starring Bruce Dern as Karl Kinsky, Maud Adams and Leonard Frey. It runs 1 hour 43 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 43m (103 min)
- Director
- Bob Brooks
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- 20th Century Fox
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Tattoo About?
The premise of Tattoo without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Unstable tattoo artist Karl Kinsky meets model Maddy while hired to body‑paint a group of women for a shoot, giving them the illusion of large tattoos. His fascination quickly turns obsessive, and he becomes determined that Maddy should carry his permanent ‘mark’ forever, leading to a dangerous fixation. His unstable temperament fuels the danger.
Tattoo Themes & Keywords
· 43 tags- tattoo
- kidnapping
- masturbation
- sex scene
- bloody mary the drink
- brandy alexander
- psychopath
- psychotic
- obsession
- car
- german car
- scene during opening credits
+31 more Show fewer
- female full frontal nudity
- sexual assault
- stalking
- female masturbation
- house for sale
- payphone
- captivity
- inviting someone over for dinner
- dating
- tattoo in someone's armpit
- bmw the car
- bare chested man
- sex
- hairy chested man
- female star appears nude
- artist
- model
- tattoo artist
- stabbed in the back
- nudity
- revenge
- cruelty
- sadism
- gay slur
- female rear nudity
- shower
- robe
- female frontal nudity
- female nudity
- death of father
- psychotronic film
Tattoo Cast & Characters
Bruce Dern leads the cast as Karl Kinsky, with Maud Adams as Maddy and Leonard Frey as Halsey. Directed by Bob Brooks; 18 actors are credited in all.
- Director Bob Brooks
-
Bruce Dern as Karl Kinsky - Maud Adams as Maddy
- Leonard Frey as Halsey
-
John Getz as Buddy
Also Starring in Tattoo
· 14 more- Frederikke Borge Sandra
- Cynthia Nixon Cindy
- Robert Burr Ralph
- Peter Iacangelo Dubin
- Kevin O'Rourke Texan
- John Snyder Hawker
- Kate McGregor-Stewart Pregnant Wife
- Jane Hoffman Teresa
- Trish Doolan Cheryl
- Lex Monson Dudley
- Anthony Mannino George
- Patricia Roe Doris
- Alan Leach Customer
- Anne Andersen Carol (model)
More from Bob Brooks
One more film directed by Bob Brooks: The Knowledge.
Tattoo Plot Summary
What happens in Tattoo from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Tattoo artist Karl Kinsky, Bruce Dern, is approached to collaborate with renowned photographer Halsey, Leonard Frey, on a project that would place his tattoo work on temporary canvases for swimsuit models. Despite his misgivings, he agrees after seeing photographs of the striking model Maddy, Maud Adams.
Full summary
The whole story of Tattoo, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Tattoo?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor portrays the tattoo artist Karl Kinsky?
Cars in Tattoo
9 cars on screen, including the 1970 BMW 2800 CS E9 and the 1973 Checker Supercab.
-
1970 BMW 2800 CS E9 Important role -
1973 Checker Supercab Minor role -
1978 Checker Taxicab Minor role -
1979 Honda Accord Minor role
Tattoo Also Known As
4 alternative titles, including “Tattoo - Jede große Liebe hinterläßt ihre Spuren” and “Tattoo - Das Mal der Rache”.
- Also known as
-
- Tattoo - Jede große Liebe hinterläßt ihre Spuren
- Tattoo - Das Mal der Rache
- Татуировка
- 纹身
Seen Tattoo?
Movies Like Tattoo
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Tattoo, The Tattooist and The Tattooist.
Tattoo FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Tattoo, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Tattoo?
Tattoo runs 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).
When was Tattoo released?
Tattoo was released on October 9, 1981.
Who directed Tattoo?
Tattoo was directed by Bob Brooks.
More films by Bob Brooks Who is in the cast of Tattoo?
Tattoo stars Bruce Dern as Karl Kinsky, Maud Adams as Maddy and Leonard Frey as Halsey, among 18 credited actors.
Does Tattoo have a post-credit scene?
No. Tattoo has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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