Das Boot

Das Boot (German for The Boat. "Boot" is pronounced roughly the same as the English "boat") is a movie directed by Wolfgang Petersen, adapted from a novel of the same name by Lothar-Günther Buchheim. Hans-Joachim Krug, former first officer on U-219, served as a consultant, as well as Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock, the actual captain of the real U-96.

Related Topics:
German - Wolfgang Petersen - Lothar-Günther Buchheim - Hans-Joachim Krug - U-219 - Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock - U-96

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The movie strongly conveys an anti-war message. One of Petersen's stated goals was to guide the audience through a "journey into madness," showing "what war is all about." Petersen heightened suspense by very rarely showing any external views of the submarine unless it is running on the surface and relying on sounds to convey action outside the boat, thus showing the audience only what the crew would see. Many critics consider Das Boot one of the best submarine movies (or even one of the best war movies) ever made.

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The original 1981 version cost DM 25 million ($40 million in 1997 dollars) to make; it was the most expensive movie in the history of German film. The director's meticulous attention to detail resulted in the most realistic submarine movie, and one of the most historically accurate war movies, ever made.

Related Topics:
1981 - DM - 1997

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