Das Boot (1981)

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

Director:

Wolfgang Petersen

Writers:

Wolfgang Petersen (screenplay), Lothar G. Buchheim (novel)

Stars:

Jürgen Prochnow, Herbert Grönemeyer, Klaus Wennemann

Top Rated Movies #71 | 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 and attempted to accomplish impossible missions, all the while attempting to understand and obey the ideology of the government under which they served.

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Plot Keywords:

submarine | submarine movie | tension | u boat | duty | 

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Taglines:

Eine Reise ans Ende des Verstandes

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Thriller | 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:

Das Boot

Filming Locations:

Bodensee, Bavaria, Germany

Box Office

Budget:

$14,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$68,369 (USA) (4 April 1997)

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) 138 min (VHS) 239 min (special uncut DVD) 293 min (Original Uncut Version)

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

The only remaining U-boot of the VII-C class wasn't used in the movie because it is a technical monument and memorial which can not only be visited, you can actually get an inside view of the U-995. It's located in Laboe/Germany and was placed there in 1972.

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Goofs

U-32 is stated to have made contact with an enemy convoy. Following the convoy attack, Kriechbaum reads a report from U-112. U-32, a Type VIIA boat, actually sank in October 1940, a year prior to the events of this film. U-112 was a proposed Type IXB boat, which was designed to be a seaplane carrier but was never completed.

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Quotes

Pilgrim: Hey, have you got any hairs up your nose?
Frenssen: Why?
Pilgrim: I've got some up my ass. Maybe we can tie them together?

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Connections

Referenced in Commandos 2: Men of Courage (2001)

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Soundtracks

Erzherzog-Albretch-Marsch
(uncredited)
Composed by Karl Komzak

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!