The Tin Drum (1980): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
The Tin Drum is a 1980 war drama directed by Volker Schlöndorff, starring Mario Adorf, Daniel Olbrychski and Katharina Thalbach. It is based on The Tin Drum by Günter Grass and Breon Mitchell. It runs 2 hours 22 minutes and earned $7,469 worldwide. It won 1 Oscar, including Foreign Language Film. Critics gave it 63 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 22m (142 min)
- Director
- Volker Schlöndorff
- Original language
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German - Studio
- New World Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Tin Drum About?
The premise of The Tin Drum without spoilers, adapted from The Tin Drum by Günter Grass and Breon Mitchell. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In this haunting drama, Oskar Matzerath, an extraordinary boy, decides to remain a child rather than enter the world as an adult. His mother’s promise of a tin drum helps him achieve this, and he uses it to create a defiant rhythm against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied Danzig. As the city descends into chaos, Oskar’s drumming becomes a powerful symbol of rebellion against the hypocrisy and injustice surrounding him, challenging the adult world’s destructive path.
The Tin Drum Cast
Mario Adorf leads the cast, with Daniel Olbrychski and Katharina Thalbach. Directed by Volker Schlöndorff; 10 actors are credited in all.
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Director Volker Schlöndorff
Also Starring in The Tin Drum
· 6 moreMore from Volker Schlöndorff
More films directed by Volker Schlöndorff, best-rated first: Strike, Diplomacy, The Ninth Day and The Handmaid's Tale.
The Tin Drum Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Tin Drum 63 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 63 Metascore
User score 7.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 69% User score
See on TMDB
The Tin Drum Plot Summary
What happens in The Tin Drum from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The narrative follows the life of Oskar Matzerath, as he recounts his experiences while confined in a mental hospital from 1952 to 1954. Born in 1924 in the Free City of Danzig (modern-day Gdańsk, Poland), he possesses the understanding and insights of an adult but resolves never to mature upon hearing his father’s proclamation that he would become a grocer. Endowed with a remarkable shriek, capable of breaking glass or serving as a form of defense, Oskar identifies as one of those “clairaudient infants” who believes his “spiritual development is complete at birth and only needs to affirm itself”. He maintains his childlike stature while navigating the challenges of World War II, engaging in several romantic entanglements, and experiencing the tumultuous landscape of postwar Europe.
Full summary
The whole story of The Tin Drum, scene by scene
The Tin Drum Box Office
The Tin Drum grossed $7,469 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$7.5K
- International
- $6.9K
The Tin Drum Awards & Nominations
The Tin Drum won 1 Oscar, including Foreign Language Film.
1 win1 nomination1 ceremony
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Oscars 1980 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Foreign Language Film
The Tin Drum Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.
- Featurette Three Reasons: The Tin Drum
How Well Do You Know The Tin Drum?
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
In which years does Oskar Matzerath recount his life story?
The Tin Drum Also Known As
29 alternative titles, including “O Tambor” and “錫鼓”.
- Also known as
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- O Tambor
- 錫鼓
- 铁皮鼓
- 锡鼓
- 拒绝长大的男孩
- Blaszany bębenek
- 양철북
- Le tambour
- De Blikken Trommel
- Blecktrumman
- Το Ταμπούρλο
- Blikktrommen
+17 more Show fewer
- El tambor de hojalata
- Teneke Trampet
- Il tamburo di latta
- Plechový bubínek
- Жестяной барабан
- A bádogdob
- ブリキの太鼓
- תוף הפח
- Toba de tinichea
- Тенекиеният барабан
- Plechový bubienok
- Бляшаний барабан
- Peltirumpu
- Chiếc Trống Thiếc
- Bliktrommen
- El timbal de llauna
- ดีเบลชทรอมเมิล
Seen The Tin Drum?
The Tin Drum FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and awards of The Tin Drum, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Tin Drum?
The Tin Drum runs 2 hours 22 minutes (142 minutes).
When was The Tin Drum released?
The Tin Drum was released on April 11, 1980.
Who directed The Tin Drum?
The Tin Drum was directed by Volker Schlöndorff.
More films by Volker Schlöndorff Who is in the cast of The Tin Drum?
The Tin Drum stars Mario Adorf, Daniel Olbrychski and Katharina Thalbach, among 10 credited actors.
How much did The Tin Drum make at the box office?
The Tin Drum grossed $7,469 worldwide.
How is The Tin Drum rated?
The Tin Drum has 63 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.
Is The Tin Drum based on a book?
Yes. The Tin Drum is adapted from The Tin Drum by Günter Grass and Breon Mitchell.
What awards did The Tin Drum win?
The Tin Drum won 1 award from 1 nomination, including Foreign Language Film at the Oscars 1980.
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