Have read the book before and saw the film last night. I had heard it was realistic but it was much better than I expected. Very much enjoyed it, and it didn't dissapoint on the realism front (although my U-Boat knowledge comes from 'Silent Hunter 3') Any other opinions?
The film is quite short but the original TV episodes built the suspense up unbelievably. The period when they sat on the bottom with the rivets popping confirmed all my worst prejudices about going down in one of those things. I just thought that the ending was a bit rushed and improbable. It wasn't based on fact, was it ?
I watched it, too. 3.5 hours is mammoth for me! Especially at that time of night. I *enjoyed* it very much, if that's the right word; I found it very harrowing and claustrophobic, but of course that's what it was meant to convey. I thought the development of the characters was brilliant ~ by the end of the film, you felt you knew them, and cared for what happened to them. I found it so full of suspense at times, I wanted to hide behind a cushion (but then I am a girl!) The end just blew me away, and was totally unexpected. My first reaction to the bombers was the b******s (no disrespect intended), and then I remembered who was supposed to be the *enemy*. That was the film's strength ~ it wasn't about who was on what side, but the humanity of the characters. Very skillfully done. 10 out of 10 from me
They speak of "Those who go down to the sea in ships", (above the water) I don't think that I could be a submariner under fire. They must have been brave and thought themselves indestructible.
johan the engineer,coming out of the engineroom,crying his eyes out;begging the capt to surface.very well made film,imo second only to zulu.lee.
I quite envy you 'discovering' Das Boot for the first time Alex. You envy me for a lot of things Adam :elkgrin: Heck of a film. Quite. I happily managed to tape it and will be re-watching it over the holidays (or on study leave) They speak of "Those who go down to the sea in ships", (above the water) I don't think that I could be a submariner under fire. They must have been brave and thought themselves indestructible. I absolutly agree. One of my friends dad's was a submariner for several years. Said he did it because of the friends you make and the 33% pay increase
Get yourself a copy of the full 6-hour directors cut, dirt cheap at the moment and even grimmer than the mere three harrowing hours or so of the standard film .
Von Poop is that 6 hours including all the making of the film and intervies etc or 6 hours just for the main film itself.....??
Memory's failed me mate, It's a 'mere' 4.7 hours long. All the episodes from the mini-series version edited into a seamless whole: Amazon.co.uk: Das Boot - The Mini Series (2 Disc Uncut Version) [1985]: Jürgen Prochnow,Herbert Grönemeyer,Klaus Wennemann,Hubertus Bengsch,Martin Semmelrogge,Bernd Tauber,Erwin Leder,Martin May,Heinz Hoenig,Uwe Ochsenknecht,Claude-Oliver Rudolph,Jan
i believe das boot is based on fact.lothar-gunther buchheim was part of germanys propoganda agency.he went on an atlantic patrol with u96,i think.lee.
Although not based on an actual mission, it was based on Lothar-Gunther Buchheim's expirence on, as Lee said, U-96 where, like Lt. Werner in the book, he was a War Correspondant.
Herbert Gronemeyer is a pop musician in Germany and was before he acted in Das Boot". Great Epic (and if you ever watched "Heimat" you'll know that the Germans do Epics) and the best war film about submarines! U-571 are you watching?
(and if you ever watched "Heimat" you'll know that the Germans do Epics) I remember Heimat being on tv years ago ~ hubby and I were engrossed, great series.
i have the book about das boot,somewhere in my garage,in a gert plastic tub.i must get my mum to sort these bloody tubs out,i got about 30 tubs.lee.
I only watched the TV series years ago. Just tried looking for the theme and found this horror! YouTube - U96-Das Boot-TOTP 1991 Ah, this is better. No images just the theme tune. YouTube - Das Boot - Original Movietheme (1981)
I only watched the TV series years ago. Just tried looking for the theme and found this horror! YouTube - U96-Das Boot-TOTP 1991 Ah!! A veritable hark back to the days when I was a clubber wearing Smiley Face T-shirts and neon Baby's Dummies. Loved that tune cos its OLD SKOOL!!!! . Thanks for the memories old chum!
the germans make good movies.lee. They do indeed Lee. "Stalingrad" or "Downfall" are two other good films about WW2 and made in Germany.