I've always had a weak spot for (anti-)war movies and original, often European, films. "Die Blechtrommel" (or "The Tin Drum" in English) combines all these things into one movie. And next to that it also has some kind of cult-status by many who consider themselves as intelligent people. I'm not saying that I'm smarter than the average person, but I do like more intelligent movies over the average box office hit with an enormous amount of explosions and unnecessary shooting.
"Die Blechtrommel" has a very original concept. It tells the story of Oskar, a very special boy in the 1920's/1930's in Danzig (then a German city, today known as Gdansk in Poland). He had his full intellect from the moment he was born and at the age of three he decides he'll not grow up. He'll remain a three year old kid for as long as he wants to... He always carries a tin drum with him and when someone tries to take it away from him, he'll scream so loud that all glass will shatter.
After reading this you might think this is more a kids movie than a movie for adults. And perhaps a bit older kids could watch it and enjoy it as well, but it is very clear that this movie also carries a more important message that will probably be better understood by adults. It gives a clear view on the mentality of the middle-class people in Germany and their racism before and during WWII. I say racism and not anti-Semitism, because it not only shows the Germans' hate against the Jews, but also against the Poles. Next to that it also shows how little people did to prevent it all, even though it was clear long before the war started, that what was happening would end in a catastrophe.
Even though this movie carries such a heavy message, I can't help thinking it would have had a lot more impact if it had been shown from a different perspective. The fact that you see it all happening trough the eyes of the little boy doesn't mean that the message isn't clear, but it just isn't as powerful as I would like to see it. Still, this movie is worth a watch, because it certainly is original. I give this movie a 7/10.
"Die Blechtrommel" has a very original concept. It tells the story of Oskar, a very special boy in the 1920's/1930's in Danzig (then a German city, today known as Gdansk in Poland). He had his full intellect from the moment he was born and at the age of three he decides he'll not grow up. He'll remain a three year old kid for as long as he wants to... He always carries a tin drum with him and when someone tries to take it away from him, he'll scream so loud that all glass will shatter.
After reading this you might think this is more a kids movie than a movie for adults. And perhaps a bit older kids could watch it and enjoy it as well, but it is very clear that this movie also carries a more important message that will probably be better understood by adults. It gives a clear view on the mentality of the middle-class people in Germany and their racism before and during WWII. I say racism and not anti-Semitism, because it not only shows the Germans' hate against the Jews, but also against the Poles. Next to that it also shows how little people did to prevent it all, even though it was clear long before the war started, that what was happening would end in a catastrophe.
Even though this movie carries such a heavy message, I can't help thinking it would have had a lot more impact if it had been shown from a different perspective. The fact that you see it all happening trough the eyes of the little boy doesn't mean that the message isn't clear, but it just isn't as powerful as I would like to see it. Still, this movie is worth a watch, because it certainly is original. I give this movie a 7/10.