Film: Das Boot
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Country: Germany
Released: September 1981
Runtime: 208 minutes
Genre: War Film
Studio: Bavaria Film and Radiant Film
Influenced: Ridley Scott, John McTiernan, Paul Greengrass, Kathryn Bigelow, Christopher Nolan
Das Boot is a simply one of the greatest war films ever made, challenging US and UK audiences to see WWII from a different perspective and providing all viewers with a claustrophobic, subterranean lens on the conflict. Based on the 1973 novel Das Boot by Lothar-Günther Buchheim, Wolfgang Petersen's film is a gripping portrayal of life aboard a German U-boat, and an authentic and realistic portrayal of the perils and struggles faced by submariners during WWII. One of the film's many unique features is its focus on the human experience of the crew rather than glorifying war itself. Petersen also achieved an unprecedented level of realism by filming on real U-boats and constructing a life-sized replica of the U-96's interior, immersing the audience in the cramped and dangerous environment of a submarine.
Set in 1941, the story follows the crew of the U-96 submarine assigned to disrupt Allied shipping in the North Atlantic. The U-boat, under the command of the experienced but tormented Captain Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock (Jürgen Prochnow), embarks on a dangerous mission with a mix of veteran sailors and inexperienced young recruits. As the crew dives into the depths of the ocean, they face the constant threat of depth charges and enemy torpedoes. The claustrophobic conditions, constant tension and the fear of being trapped underwater for extended periods test the mental and emotional fortitude of the crew. The film showcases the relationships and camaraderie among the crew members, highlighting the psychological toll of war and the complex moral dilemmas they encounter.
The film begins with U-96 leaving the French port of La Rochelle for its mission, with the crew expressing mixed feelings of excitement and apprehension. The crew endures a relentless depth charge attack by British destroyers, forcing them to take the submarine to its operational limits to evade destruction. The submarine faces mechanical failures and dwindling supplies, pushing the crew to the brink of despair and leading to emotional breakdowns and conflicts.U-96 engages an Allied convoy, leading to intense battle sequences that display the harsh realities of war and the human cost of their actions. After facing numerous challenges, the U-boat returns to La Rochelle, with the surviving crew members grappling with the trauma of their experiences, and further drama ensues.
One of Das Boot's many innovations was Jost Vacano's cinematography, capturing the tension and peril of submarine warfare, often using handheld cameras to give a documentary-style feel to the movie. The film's sound design also played a crucial role in intensifying the sense of danger, with the haunting pings of sonar and thunderous explosions contributing to the suspense. Das Boot was one of the first foreign-language films to be widely released with subtitles, introducing non-German-speaking audiences to a novel cinematic experience and perspective. It was nominated for six Oscars but won none. In 1985, Petersen released a director's cut of the film, expanding the original runtime from 149 minutes to 208 minutes, and this extended version further solidified Das Boot's reputation and expanded its global fanbase.
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