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Schweizer Fernsehen (FS)

The Inventor

1980 97 min German
Wubly rating 6.8 IMDb rating 7.2

In this interesting World War I drama, Bruno Ganz gives a compelling performance as Jakob, an obsessive inventor who lives in a Swiss village. He receives unconditional support from his friend Otti (Walo Luond), but that is about all; the other villagers do not tolerate Jakob's eccentricities very well, and regard him as a crackpot. He perserveres in spite of this obstacle and finally invents a viable carriage that does not run on wheels but on a tread. Unfortunately for Jakob, the military have already come up with the same invention: the tank. The discovery finally breaks him, and he is quickly shuttled off to an asylum.

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Not streaming anywhere

Not on any streaming service in United States, and not available to rent.

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Cast

22 people

Kurt Gloor Director · Hansjörg Schneider Writer

United States release October 1, 1981 · Produced in Switzerland, Germany · Original title Der Erfinder

Production

S

Schweizer Fernsehen (FS)

Production

Switzerland · Germany

Produced in

Languages

Original title

Der Erfinder

Original language

German

Spoken on screen

German

Release dates

Switzerland · October 25, 1980

Theatrical · German speaking region

United States · October 1, 1981

Chicago International Film Festival

Austria

November 1, 1981

Germany

April 7, 1981 · Theatrical

Italy

September 1, 1983 · Bergamo Film Meeting

Norway

January 16, 1984 · TV premiere

Spain

September 1, 1981 · San Sebastian Film Festival

Switzerland

April 1, 1983 · Theatrical · French speaking region

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