The reputation of Gunter Grass as poet, playwright and novelist reaches far beyond his native Germany. "The Tin Drum", his first novel, sold 1½ million copies and was translated into 16 languages. But since 1965 he has sacrificed several months each year to support Willy Brandt, and has become as well known in his political activities as for his writing.
In this film made in 1972, Grass talks about his life from childhood in Danzig under the Nazis, to international fame.
Readings by Tony Church
Commentary by Alan Dobie
"Watch this if you can ... no livelier example of the writer working in public life ... excellent film." (THE TIMES) "Fascinating film of a man who, with his humour, humanity and calm lucidity is his own best PR man." (THE OBSERVER)