Rating: 
Summary: Rettung! Rettung!
Review: Das Boot is certainly one of the best war movies ever to be released, and it is definitely the most effective anti-war movie. Simply put: It humanizes the Germans that are normally diabolic thugs in most WW2 movies. The 'bad guys' are the protagonists here, and the incredibly detailed sets and their claustrophobic feel make you feel like you're crammed into U-96 with them. The stark images and melancholy feel of Das Boot, combined with the excellent writing make it one of my top ten movies. However, it does have what is perhaps the most depressing ending ever seen in a movie.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: "Das Boot" is the best anti-war movie I've seen so far and I can't imagine that there could ever be a better one. Probably the effect is a bit special for me, because my grandfather served on one of these German submarines in WW II (he was only 17 when he became a soldier). It's kind of strange to know that the only reason why I live is that he belonged to the 25% who survived.
Rating:
Summary: The German armed forces were human too, we are reminded.
Review: The best, most articulate, most intriguing war film I have ever seen. War really viewed on a human level, for all the hype and praise about "Saving Private Ryan," this is a far better film. Every moment of this movie possesses the intense humanistic scrutiny that Spielberg brought in the opening of "Saving Private Ryan." But this movie goes further, you see a far more human side of the war. You go into the minds of everyone involved and feel like you are really living with them and experiencing their horror. There is no elaborate musical scheme and no unnecessary dramatic stylization, you simply are in that boat with those men.It is strange to consider how their were good men in the Nazi armed forces and that the Germans, some of them, remained human beings. I think that the perspective this brings to viewers in the states is stunning, refreshing and not dressed up. By far the best war movie I have ever seen, far superior to anything else.
Rating:
Summary: Now release the full TV series!!
Review: OK, all there is to say has been said: this movie is phenomenal. If you have never thought "Wow, THIS is acting", buy this moview. Prochnov's performance is incredible and arguably the best of any postwar German actor. However, I have seen the original TV mini-series from which this "Director's Cut" has been cut and the series was even better. I remember many scenes that were not in this movie version that gave the whole thing even more flesh. I say: give us the whole spiel! Release the TV series on video and DVD!
Rating:
Summary: This is a benchmark for all other DVDs.
Review: I have a collection of several DVDs, and this DVD represents the standard by which I judge all others; it's a white knuckle film which anyone can appreciate. Besides presenting a truly great film, it has plenty of neat extras which add to the package.
Rating:
Summary: Harrowing.
Review: Talk about a film that transports the viewer from his living room and into the film, you'd be talking about "Das Boot". Believe me, as this film progressed, I was sweating and taking deep breaths! I've seen this film in both subtitles and an excellent English-dubbed version (I prefer the subtitled version). This new, expanded version, as good as it is, doesn't add all that much to the original movie (the original being that perfect!). "Das Boot" has a very distinct anti-war message, and gives allied viewers a look at war from the other side. This is great filmaking without a budget (some of the special effects were rather cheesy). However, the interior scenes of submarine life are so compelling, so realistic, that one overlooks these minor faults. As far as comparing this to "Saving Private Ryan", why bother? "Saving Private Ryan" is no "Das Boot" and vice-versa. These are two very different, wonderfully made films that show the brutal and insane nature of war. If you prefer one over the other, fine. I found each film to be a classic in its own right. Between 1 and 10, "Das Boot" gets a marginal 9.
Rating: 
Summary: High tension submarine warfare film.
Review: Very long but completely absorbing. It is high voltage and nerve-wracking and is probably the best of its kind. And that ending--so ironic in view of what has gone on before. The print that Columbia has issued is very fine. There are two prints that are available:full screen and dubbed or wide screen with English subtitles. You can't go wrong with either version. Granted, most dubbing jobs range from mediocre to poor but not here, the dubbing is masterful. Very highly recommended but don't view it after drinking a lot of coffee.
Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece of anti-war human drama
Review: But the Director's Cut is too self-indulgent. Its interesting, in the characters that are developed that are left more bland in the studio cut. However for me, I saw for the first time how a studio can add value, and sharpen the message more succinctly, than allowing the Director's their head. The studio cut is better, but both are fabulous, intense, emotional, frightening, masterful films.
Rating: 
Summary: Too Bad the Director Didnt Cut the Soundtrack
Review: The soundtrack sounded like a four-year-old was playing it on his keyboard. I am definetely an opponent of film scores, and the ambient music that already existed in the film stood very well on its own. The score aside though, it was an excellent film, if only for the sheer fact it manages to run over three hours long and never get slow. Highly reccomended to war-film fans, reccomended to all film fans when you can't find your favorite movie.
Rating:
Summary: tremendous; the best WW2 fim ever made
Review: It is difficult to express how I feel about this film. My stepfather was in the RCN, on convoy duty, aboard the HMCS Agassiz. My father-in -law, Giuseppe Tmasini, of Rovereto, Italia, was in the Axis Navy, and was sunk twice in the Mediterranean. Prochnow was outstanding; the most outstanding performance I have ever seen -- laconic, but the essence of leadersship. I am sure I have every line, German an English memorized. I never fail to be moved by hte script "Good men ... all of them... you have to have good men., and " "280 metes, and she is still in one piace ... the merciful God has left a shovelful of sand to keep us up." Not a day goes by, when I am not influenced, in some way, by this film.
|
