Das Boot (1981)

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

Director:

Wolfgang Petersen

Writers:

Lothar G. Buchheim (novel), Wolfgang Petersen

Stars:

Jürgen Prochnow, Herbert Grönemeyer, Klaus Wennemann

Top 250 #72 | Nominated for 6 Oscars. Another 13 wins & 5 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

Storyline

It is 1942 and the German submarine fleet is heavily engaged in the so called "Battle of the Atlantic" to harass and destroy British shipping. With better escorts of the Destroyer Class, however, German U-Boats have begun to take heavy losses. "Das Boot" is the story of one such U-Boat crew, with the film examining how these submariners maintained their professionalism as soldiers, attempted to accomplish impossible missions, while all the time attempting to understand and obey the ideology of the government under which they served.

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Plot Keywords:

u boat | submarine | mission | destroyer | boredom | 

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Taglines:

The other side of the Battle of the Atlantic.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | History | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some war violence and brief language

Details

Official Sites:

Twin Brothers

Country:

West Germany

Language:

German English French

Release Date:

10 February 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Boat

Filming Locations:

Atlantic Ocean

Box Office

Budget:

$14,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

DEM 245,271 (Germany) (2 January 1998)

Gross:

$11,433,134 (USA) (25 April 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bavaria Film, Radiant Film GmbH, Süddeutscher Rundfunk (SDR)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

149 min 209 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

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

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

To help his actors convey the claustrophobic conditions found on a real U-boat, director Wolfgang Petersen insisted on filming within the actual confines of the ship (scarcely wider than a man's outstretched arms), rather than removing the model's outer wall.

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Goofs

In one scene the Skipper goes to his cabin and retrieves his service pistol, a 9mm P.38 Walther. The weapon in the movie is actually a post-war Iterarms version sold in the sixties and seventies.

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Quotes

Captain: April fool. Practice makes perfect.

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Connections

Referenced in Empty Nest: Das Boob (1993)

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Soundtracks

"It's a Long Way to Tipperary"
(uncredited)
Written by Jack Judge and Harry Williams
Performed by The Red Russian Army Choir

User Reviews

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!