Das Boot (1981)

Director:

Wolfgang Petersen

Writers:

Lothar G. Buchheim (novel)
Wolfgang Petersen (writer)

Release Date:

10 February 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | History | War

Tagline:

This is the story of 42 raw recruits caught up in a war they didn't understand, and the Captain who must lead them in their struggle to survive.

Plot:

The claustrophobic world of a WWII German U-boat; boredom, filth, and sheer terror.

Plot Keywords:

U Boat | German | WWII | Boredom | Crew

Awards:

Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Jürgen Prochnow	...	Capt.-Lt. Henrich Lehmann-Willenbrock - Der Alte
Herbert Grönemeyer	...	Lt. Werner - Correspondent
Klaus Wennemann	...	Chief Engineer Fritz Grade - Der Leitende-Der LI
Hubertus Bengsch	...	1st Lieutenant - Number One-1WO
Martin Semmelrogge	...	2nd Lieutenant - 2WO
Bernd Tauber	...	Kriechbaum - Chief Quartermaster-Navigator
Erwin Leder	...	Johann
Martin May	...	Ullman
Heinz Hoenig	...	Hinrich (as Heinz Hönig)
Uwe Ochsenknecht	...	Chief Bosun
Claude-Oliver Rudolph	...	Ario
Jan Fedder	...	Pilgrim
Ralf Richter	...	Frenssen (as Ralph Richter)
Joachim Bernhard	...	Preacher
Oliver Stritzel	...	Schwalle

Also Known As:

The Boat (Philippines: English title) (USA) (dubbed version)
A tengeralattjáró (Hungary) [hu]
De andere kant van de oorlog (Netherlands) [nl]
El barco (Argentina) [es]
El submarino (Das Boot) (Spain) [es]
Le bateau (France) [fr]
Mukaddes vazife (Turkey: Turkish title) [tr]
Okret (Poland) [pl]
Ponorka (Czech Republic) [cs]
Sukellusvene U-96 (Finland) [fi]
To ypovryhio (Greece) (director's cut) [el]
U-Boot 96 (Italy) [it]
U-båt 96 (Finland: Swedish title) [sv]
U-båten (Sweden) [sv]
Ypovryhio U-96 - Epistrofi stin Kolasi (Greece) [el]

MPAA:

Rated R for some war violence and brief language. (director's cut)

Runtime:

149 min | 209 min (director's cut) | 293 min (uncut version)

Country:

West Germany

Language:

French | German | English

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (director's cut) | Dolby (original release) | SDDS (director's cut)

Certification:

Iceland:12 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | South Korea:15 | Brazil:14 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Ireland:15 | Netherlands:12 | Netherlands:16 (director's cut) | Norway:15 (director's cut) | Norway:16 | Portugal:M/12 (original rating) | Portugal:M/16 (director's cut) | Singapore:PG | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:12 (dubbed directors cut) | UK:15 (subtitled directors cut) | USA:R | USA:Unrated (original uncut version) | West Germany:12 (w)

Filming Locations:

Atlantic Ocean

Company:

Bavaria Film

Trivia:

La Spezia, a city in the Liguria region of northern Italy at the head of La Spezia Gulf, is one of the major Italian military and commercial harbours and is located between Genoa and Pisa. It has been a major naval base since the 1800s.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Towards the end of the film, while the Captain is in close-up, a blonde woman's head can be seen in the lower-left corner. She is the prop girl.

Quotes:

[Werner takes pictures of the watch officers on the conning tower]
Captain: Take pictures of the crew returning, not putting out to sea.
Lt. Werner: Why?
Captain: They'll have grown beards by then. It would shame the Tommies to see mere boys give them Hell. Baby faces. Ones that should still suck mama's breast.
[pause]
Captain: I feel ancient around these kids, like I'm on some Children's Crusade.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Simpsons: Das Bus (#9.14)" (1998)

Soundtrack:

Erzherzog-Albretch-Marsch

Gripping, Compelling, Intense, Suspenseful, Realistic

"Das Boot" is a classic. This film couldn't be more intense and emotionally draining. It is a work of genius. Jurgen Prochnaw gives a spectacular performance as the German U-Boat Captain. The acting is first rate as the cast of characters is as realistic and believable as it gets. Don't watch this film unless you are absolutely prepared to immerse yourself into the drama of life as a crewman aboard a German submarine during war. This is a very rare portrayal of battle through the eyes of our enemy and will actually have you cheering for the "bad guys" at times. This is a one of a kind movie that must be seen to be believed. Words in a review cannot describe the experience of "Das Boot." A tremendous film! A 12 on a scale of 10!