Das Boot follows a German U-boat on its mission during World War II as it navigates turbulent waters rife with British destroyers. Masterful at capturing the cramped claustrophic interiors of a submarine, the mini-series presents both the tedious waiting and the chaotic combat that characterized those times' danger-fraught naval excursions. And while it is more of an action and suspense story, character-driven drama is also present in the interactions of the crew, be they sympathetic or unsympathetic in their natures.
In particular, Das Boot excels at building tension without losing the realism. The adverse effects of the long confine in a constricted space are depicted well, and the oft-coarse dialogue is appropriate to what would be expected between seamen. The cast's acting is nigh impeccable as they are able to communicate their characters' growing anxiety and disillusionment with war, both in overt and subtle fashions. The detailed sets and models serve to showcase the inner machinery of a submarine without a need to resort to technical jargon, and the colour scheme and visual presentation too deserve commendation.
My biggest criticism of the mini-series would be its runtime - it tended to drag in many places considering that the story itself is simple. Some of the scenes felt rather superfluous, especially as the focus is never on individuals but instead on the scenario playing out. Moreover, while I appreciated the acting, none of the characters really struck me as very memorable; of course, this might stem from my unfamiliarity with German films and the German language.
These downsides notwithstanding, I found Das Boot to be an entertaining action thriller. For those who enjoy war adventures, Das Boot with its uncommon submarine setting is a must-watch.
In particular, Das Boot excels at building tension without losing the realism. The adverse effects of the long confine in a constricted space are depicted well, and the oft-coarse dialogue is appropriate to what would be expected between seamen. The cast's acting is nigh impeccable as they are able to communicate their characters' growing anxiety and disillusionment with war, both in overt and subtle fashions. The detailed sets and models serve to showcase the inner machinery of a submarine without a need to resort to technical jargon, and the colour scheme and visual presentation too deserve commendation.
My biggest criticism of the mini-series would be its runtime - it tended to drag in many places considering that the story itself is simple. Some of the scenes felt rather superfluous, especially as the focus is never on individuals but instead on the scenario playing out. Moreover, while I appreciated the acting, none of the characters really struck me as very memorable; of course, this might stem from my unfamiliarity with German films and the German language.
These downsides notwithstanding, I found Das Boot to be an entertaining action thriller. For those who enjoy war adventures, Das Boot with its uncommon submarine setting is a must-watch.