The Tin Drum (1979)

VHS CASE/SIDE

Length of film:  142 Minutes (Director’s Cut: 162 Minutes) (1980 Cut: 132 Minutes)

Rated: 15

Genre: Drama, War

Director: Volker Schlöndorff

Starring: David Bennent, Mario Adorf, Angela Winkler, Katharina Thalbach, Daniel Olbrychski, Tina Engel

IMDB Rank: 7.5/10

Part 1 Time:  84 Minutes (Director’s Cut: 91 Minutes) (1980 Cut: N/A Minutes)

Part 2 Time:  58 Minutes (Director’s Cut: 71 Minutes) (1980 Cut: N/A Minutes)

***The film is based on the first two books of the Tin Drum novel with the intermission point following the break between books one and two.

Where does the first part end?  Oskar Matzerath (David Bennent) narrates as he approaches Sigismund Markus’ (Charles Aznavour) lifeless body slumped on the desk.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Once upon a time, there was a toy merchant whose name was Markus… and he took all the toys in the world away with him. Markus.” Oskar Matzerath narrates.

First line of dialogue on the second part: It is now September 1, 1939, the beginning of World War II. Oskar Matzerath stands on a street corner across from the Polish post office. A paper boy shouts, “Geman Danzig Sentinel!”

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, as tensions escalate between the Poles and the Germans, the Free City of Danzig is becoming an unsafe place for anyone against the Nazi regime. Oskar seems unfazed by his recent family tragedies and seems content (as long as he has his drum). What opportunities await Oskar?

Which part is better? Part two, is better as Oskar begins exploring Europe and joins a troupe of performing dwarfs. Here Oskar is accepted within the group and is given a purpose while dealing with the overgrowing dangers of war. Oskar continues to bring tragedy to those closest to him.

Academy Awards: 1980-Best Foreign Language Film