When the hunters become the hunted.|Sep. 16, 1981|West Germany|150 Min.|R
Genre: Drama;History;War
Description: The 1981 German film *Das Boot* tells the gripping story of Lieutenant Werner, a war correspondent aboard the German submarine U-96 in October 1941. The narrative begins with the crew’s visit to a lively French bordello, where Werner meets the men he will later accompany on their mission. During the gathering, Captain Thomsen delivers a drunken, mocking speech about Adolf Hitler, highlighting the underlying tensions among the crew.
The following morning, U-96 departs from La Rochelle harbor, and Werner is introduced to the submarine’s operations. As the journey progresses, he notices a stark contrast between the new recruits and the seasoned veterans, particularly the disillusioned captain. The crew’s camaraderie is evident, but the newcomers, including Werner, face mockery from the more experienced members. Among them is a Nazi officer who is notably unpopular.
After days of monotony, the crew’s routine is disrupted when they receive word of an enemy convoy. However, their excitement is short-lived as they are soon detected by a British destroyer and subjected to a barrage of depth charges. Despite sustaining minor damage, they manage to escape.
The following weeks are marked by a brutal North Atlantic storm, which takes a toll on morale. A brief encounter with Thomsen’s boat offers a momentary lift in spirits. After the storm subsides, U-96 engages a British convoy, successfully sinking two ships with torpedoes. However, they are again targeted by a destroyer, forcing them to dive beyond the submarine’s rated depth. During the intense depth-charge attack, the chief machinist panics, adding to the chaos. Although the submarine suffers significant damage, it eventually surfaces safely in the cover of night.
In a harrowing moment, the crew observes a torpedoed British tanker still aflame and decides to finish it off. To their horror, they discover sailors attempting to escape and swim toward them. Unable to take prisoners, the captain makes the difficult decision to leave the scene.
*Das Boot* is a powerful exploration of the psychological and physical challenges faced by submarine crews during wartime, capturing the complexities of life beneath the waves.
Cast director: Wolfgang Petersen
Cast actor: Jürgen Prochnow, Herbert Grönemeyer, Klaus Wennemann, Hubertus Bengsch, Martin Semmelrogge, Bernd Tauber, Erwin Leder, Martin May, Heinz Hoenig, Uwe Ochsenknecht
Original name: Das Boot