Das Boot

Movie Info

Genre(s): Drama  |  War

Written by: Wolfgang Petersen
Lothar G. Buchheim (novel)
Dean Riesner

Directed by: Wolfgang Petersen

Release Date:
Theatrical: February 10, 1982
DVD: December 11, 2001

Running Time: 149 minutes, Color

Origin: USA

Language(s): German (dubbed in English)

Summary

RATING: R

Starring Jürgen Prochnow, Herbert Grönemeyer, Klaus Wennemann, Hubertus Bengsch, Martin Semmelrogge, and Bernd Tauber

It is 1942 and the German submarine fleet is heavily engaged in the so called "Battle of the Atlantic" to harass and destroy English 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. (Sony Pictures)

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What The Critics Said

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What Our Users Said

Vote Now!The average user rating for this movie is 9.3 (out of 10) based on 18 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

J D gave it a10:
Probably the best war movie ever made. Forget garbage like 'Saving Private Ryan'. This movie truly captures the futility of war no matter what side you are on. Claustrophobic, non stop action that literally had me cringing throughout the long (nearly 4 hours) journey. You get so absorbed into the movie, you get to know the characters so well. Great acting, filming, dialogue and music. A masterpiece. 10/10

Pat C. gave it a10:
Just too drawn out, even though that's necessary to a point to develop the tension of the underwater attacks. But still rates a 10 as the best submarine warfare movie ever made. One of those rare movies that, once viewed, is never forgotten.

Andrew H. gave it a9:
One of the most suspensful movies I've ever seen. Great pacing. Simple story. Amazing.

Dave C. gave it a10:
Four hours edge-of-your-seat suspense. I didn't avert my eyes for a second. The audience is never asked to either sympathise or condemn these characters. Das Boot is instead a haunting testament to the futility of war.

[Anonymous] gave it a5:
OK, but the 6 part, subtitled series is much, much better. (The film was made by just chopping up and dubbing the series) There is so much substance missing from the film that I cannot give it a good score. As for where you can find the series ... Good Luck, It was on TV BBC a while back, or maybe amazon.de.

Chimp gave it a 10:
This is, without any doubt, the best submarine movie ever made. If you think otherwise than you dont understand anything. This is also one of the best war movies ever made, and one of the best movies ever made. From the haunting theme to the pinging sound of the british ASDIC device, this movie takes you to the depths and shows you what it was really like to be in a German U-Boat. The acting is perfect, especially the captain. You grow to know the crew, and feel what they are feeling. When they finally get the breath of fresh air after so long, i could.....well, feel the relief too. The dialogue is perfect, and the music is amazing. It is very long (especially the directors cut) but i dont think there should be one second of it taken out.

Christopher S. gave it a 10:
One of the best warfilms ever made. Accurately portrays the reality and horror of war, not to mention from a differant perspective that americans are used to seeing from hollywood. A long journey, but excellent.

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