Abstract: In an apparatus for the biaxial, simultaneous stretching of a flat film web from particularly polypropylene, the edges of the film web 1 are engaged by grippers 3, which in the stretching zone 9 are driven by divergent threaded spindles 5, and at least part of the stretching in longitudinal direction is effected, by means of a progressive pitch of the threaded spindles, simultaneously with part of the transverse stretching. Subsequent to the progressive pitch a thread with degressive pitch is provided, preferably at the end of the threaded spindles, effecting shrinkage of the previously stretched film web in longitudinal-direction, while preferably simultaneously the film web is further stretched in transverse direction. The shrinking of the film web takes place over about 5 to 10% of the spindle length at up to 10% of the previously produced longitudinal stretching, to the longitudinal stretching degree desired in the finished film.