MovieChat Forums > Die Blechtrommel (1980) Discussion > Warning: weird boring and pointless.

Warning: weird boring and pointless.

posted 13 years ago by Zoomorph
14 replies | jump to latest

Disappointing. Way overrated. There was no point to this movie other than perhaps some weird allegory for germany 80 years ago, something that is not at all interesting to me. Lack of interest was compounded by: random musical sections with midgets, characters dying and entering the story nonchalantly and kids that defy nature to never grow up. This can't be taken as a serious drama because the characters are inconsistent, do inexplicable things and have no depth. Nor can it be taken as a comedy because about 95% of the movie is not funny. The movie is not beautiful, the cinematography has again 95% not special. So what we left with is something weird and quirky that seems to go on forever. Not bad, but it will be a disappointment if you're expecting something else.

PS. The part with the horse head that is often talked about lasts less only 30 seconds and has nothing to do with the rest of the film.

~ Observe, and act with clarity. ~

[–] Balthazar_Bux 13 years ago

"There was no point to this movie other than perhaps some weird allegory for germany 80 years ago, something that is not at all interesting to me."

I don't think your description does justice to the film. In fact it's a very subtle movie, which is why it demands a certain intellectual receptiveness. In addition, I find it quite strange that you seem to be so uninterested in what was happening in the first half of the 20th century. Since the Nazis changed the course of world history forever. Destructive as they were, they also paved the way for America's rise to superpower status, et cetera.

Their destructiveness accelerated the course of history - we would live in an entirely different world if they hadn't existed... better or worse, we'll never know.

"What does not destroy me, makes me stronger." - Friedrich Nietzsche

[–] ilpohirvonen 13 years ago

I liked it. But I kinda know what you mean. I am quite familiar with the art and history of cinema but at times I found it very hard to approach this film: the characters seemed difficult and the story pointless. However, after awhile I had watched it, it all made sense -- well probably not everything but most of it yes. I understand if some find this disappointing I was extremely surprised but disappointed, no.

[–] ZwanMonster 13 years ago

The movie and the book aren't meant to be seen and read by everyone.

And most especially by idiots.

[–] dailyshampoo48 11 years ago

The movie and the book aren't meant to be seen and read by everyone.

And most especially by idiots.

There's a lot of crap which gets a pass because it masquerades as 'art'. Personally, I agree with the OP; it was nothing but a bad exploitation film. And that's an insult to exploitation films, some of which I quite like.

[–] goosefeather_gulf 11 years ago

It's all too easy to dismiss things you don't understand as simple exploitica.

The film and book were a scathing yet strangely sympathetic indictment of Germany's perpetual state of immaturity throughout the 20th century. The film condenses it to refer specifically to WW2 but the point is still well made. Germany, like little Oskar, was born out of a turbulent mess of opposing ideologies and was determined to run long before it could walk. So sure of it's maturity and superiority it wouldn't be told any different. Germany's (Oskar's) spiritual development was complete at birth and needed only to affirm itself.

Oskar is a literal zeitgeist, simultaneously representing everything Germany supposedly stands for, often in direct contradiction. His questionable behaviour throughout the story and the things about the film you may find objectionable all have a point to make. Weather these points are successfully made or not is a better question to ask than weather the points should be made in the first place.

Even if you don't consider it 'art', it is certainly much deeper than simple exploitation.

'I've been thinking, Hobbes.'

'On a weekend?'

'Well, it wasn't on purpose...'

[–] MikaHaeli8 12 years ago

If you want "boring and pointless", try "The Tree of Wooden Clogs". Personally, I enjoyed "The Tin Drum" far more than "TToWC", found it way more interesting.

"None of us are conceited enough to play hero."
- Worth, "The Cube

[–] Zamolxe 11 years ago

I wouldn't call it boring and pointless, but it was a difficult film to watch. There were a lot of scenes which made me quite uncomfortable: all the sexual scenes involving the main character, all the scenes involving fish, all those spitting in the hand scenes (I have no idea what those were about), all the screaming and breaking glass scenes, the midget scenes...

The length of the movie was also a factor. I suppose the movie is a sort of magic realism/allegory type of film. It reminded me of Kusturica's Underground, Fellini's Amarcord, Herzog's Even Dwarfs Started Small, and Bergman's Fanny and Alexander, but I'd say all of these are ultimately better and more rewarding than this one. Not a bad film, but just a difficult one.

[–] zoolzool 10 years ago

I don't believe that Oskar was ever seen by the viewer actually having sex. We see him before or after, or while he's under the blanket, which of course we cannot see through. As far as I can remember, the only sex scene we see has Alfred and Maria in it. More disturbing was that lady Lina being gang raped by the Russians.

The length was a factor for myself as well. The first time around, I kept wondering how much longer the movie was going to last. For whatever reason, we turned it off and watched the rest of it another day.

All these years later I do not find it boring or pointless. It's one of those movies that gradually shows a character's life over time, which is something that a lot of people are not used to.

[–] kincaid-5 11 years ago

These are the memoirs of a man in a mental institution. When you read the book, you know not to believe everything he tells you, but the film presents it all literally and deprives it of the critical context. That's why so much seems "weird" and surreal.

http://redkincaid.com

[–] Stirchley 10 years ago

The movie is not beautiful, the cinematography has again 95% not special.

Chacun à son goût. I think the movie is utterly beautiful and the cinematography outstanding.

[–] jrhpax 8 years ago

To the person who called this an "exploitation film," I have to say: It's the funniest thing I've read in weeks.

What a ridiculous statement.

"The Tin Drum" is a work of literature, and the movie version is a largely successful and largely faithful attempt to turn it into a cinematic work of art.

[–] pzkpfw6 9 years ago

I couldn't agree more. Somebody on an acid trip could come up with a better story than this nonsense.

[–] slimone (7996) 5 years ago

I thought the movie was somewhat boring. . . .