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:

German | U Boat | Crew | Boredom | WWII

Awards:

Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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 Odisseia do Submarino 96 (Portugal) [pt]
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]
O Barco (Brazil) [pt]
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:

Another actor was originally cast as Thomsen, but quit not long after filming began. The shot of Thomsen saying "Hail and victory and sink 'em all!" to the crew of U-96 was re-shot with Otto Sander outside the studio in Munich.

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:

Captain of the 'Weser': So, what's it like down there, in a submarine?
Der Leitende: It's... quiet.
Captain of the 'Weser': Quiet? Hmm.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Directors: The Films of Adrian Lyne" (????)

Soundtrack:

Sing Nachtigall Sing

Packing, genuinely, overwhelming!

Using the term 'authenticity' in connection with any kind of art is rather difficult and daring as well. Sometimes it looks posed or is by certain purposes manipulated. Referring to Petersen´s "Das Boot" however, I consider it justified to call it authentic and true. I think this statement can be strengthened mainly by the fact that Lothar Gunther Buchheim was consulted. He composed the novel this breathtaking movie bases on and he himself was employed as a war correspondent in the Second World War.

The entire plot has no weak points. Starting at "Bar Royal" at the very night before the forces living journey of the submarine crew begins, the director fittingly manages to confront the audience with the protagonists and their way of dealing with the pounding uncertainty. Once put to sea, the character of the scenes changes abruptly. Every member of the crew and the audience as well comes into very close contact with the tightness of the action space. At this point it is necessary to underline the excellent work of the cameramen. The fast and partial hectic cuts draw an exact picture of the drama on board. Too do not forget the outstanding lighting. However besides this abundance of obvious suspense, there are also a number of moments going into in-depth psychology and thoughtfulness. To outline only a few of them: At "Bar Royal", when the chief engineer reflects about the uncertain fate of his family, or when the captain, with a kind of 'Weltschmerz' in his eyes, is astound and proud of the unbelievable efforts of the crew. It would probably be too laborious to refer to the decisive symbols the director uses, therefore I recommend this movie to everybody, especially those who are interested in the Second World War.

It presumably sounds pretty weird, yet I suppose that mankind gladly participates on the misfortune of others, without being closely involved with it. This closing notion may account for the huge success of this movie.>