Rating: 
Summary: Das Boot - One of the finest (anti) war movies ever made.
Review: The title says it all. If you can watch this film without being moved by the suffering and horror that these young submariners had to endure (regardless of the twisted ideology that sent them to war) there's something badly wrong with you. Insightful, gritty, with believable, human characters (Jurgen Prochnow was born to the role of the captain, but the entire sub crew are immaculately cast) thoughtfully presented and beautifully shot, with a haunting score. This is not another preachy 'war is hell' (so what else is new?) kind of film. It's a great film, period, and in it's own sad way, very uplifting. The directors cut is outstanding, and I found the commentary rivetting. If you appreciated Das Boot, I'd recommend you check out 'Stalingrad', in the unlikely even that you haven't already. Admittedly, it's an almost unremittingly grim and brutal experience, so not for the faint hearted, but a fine film nontheless.
Rating:
Summary: Best war movie ever
Review: I first saw this movie nearly 15 years ago and the movie stayed in my mind all these years. Despite being made in the 80's, this film does not look dated at all. Demonstrate superbly the absurdity of war. I am most impressed by the role played by the Captain. Talking about leadership and bring out the best in your men!
Rating: 
Summary: Aye caramba, it's long!
Review: Sorry to all those devotees out there that wouldn't want
minute to be cut and wouldn't want this one to ever end--
but this movie was in bad need of editing. As a movie
and a story, this one is a B+ script in search of some
minor touch-up. Visionary? Maybe in 1982. Today it
feels in need of repair. That seems strange for a period
piece, I know, but if the director were to make this movie
today, it would probably be better. I'm not talking about
explosions or special effects. Just set design and general
camera work.
Rating:
Summary: DAS BEST!!
Review: Previous reviewers have gushed enthusiastically about this film, so I shall forbear from doing so. I agree with their overwhelmingly positive assessment, and add only the following -ALL SERIOUS FILM BUFFS MUST BUY THIS DVD. It is a home run on every level. The 3+hr directors cut can be plodding at times, but that is an extremely minor quibble. BUY IT, and be blown away!
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Movie
Review: Das Boot is perhaps the best WW II movie available. It's certainly the best one available about the war in the Atlantic and submarine warfare in WW II in general.
What this movie does particularly well is accurately portray daily life aboard a German U Boat. Aside from the Eastern front after summer 1941, a German U Boat is the last place anybody really wanted to be. Of approx. 40,000 German submariners, approx. 30,000 didn't come home.
Also, due to the fact that WW II and the Battle of the Atlantic began over 60 years ago, it's difficult for a lot of people, myself included to visualize how they did things then. Until I did some reading and then watched this movie, it never occured to me that most German U Boats spent much of their time topside and only submerged to shoot, escape after shooting or avoid being detected and killed. This is quite a contrast to what is portrayed with the navies of the world today where subs can go days or weeks without surfacing if they need to. It also made me realize how really primitive compared to today's technology that submarining was, particularly having to visually seek out your target and line it up, there was no radar or sonar aboard these boats.
The movie also I think probably accurately portrayed the comraderie of the German crews, and how they probably complained about Hitler, Goering and Doenitz behind their backs while aboard ship and many really weren't die hard Nazis but there because they had to be. One also gets a very good understanding of the fear of being detected and trying to avoid depth charges after firing.
This is an outstanding movie and should be watched by anyone wishing to gain an understanding about what the Battle of the Atlantic was like from the German perspective.
Rating:
Summary: Hunter And Prey
Review: The first time I saw director Wolfgang Petersen's epic film, DAS BOOT, I was about 13 years old. My cousin had a copy on laserdisc. When it was all over, I remember saying that I couldn't wait to see it again, so almost imediately, I had my cousin start it all over. There have been a number of "submarine" movies made over the last 20 years, however, none have even come close to matching the sheer brilliance of DAS BOOT (aka the boat).Captain Hans-Jürgen Hellriegel, ( Jürgen Prochnow) commands German U-Boat 96, during World War II. For him, this is a mission to defeat the enemy and bring glory to Germany. For his young crew, they are in this for respect and adventure. The U-Boat's mission is to engage and destroy all allied troops that they can. But they are being hunted as well DAS BOOT is intense and gut wrenching The film may be told from the German perspective, rather than the allied point of view, but it's really a story of courage and perseverance,. It's told in a way though, that anyone can feel for this crew. The film really does have a clausterphobic feel to it. As a viewer, you do get a true sense of what it must have been like for these men on this boat. The battle sequences seem quite realistic and have never been topped since the films release in 1981 The director's cut on DVD, incorporates 60 minutes of footage, not seen in the original 149 minute version. Most of this footage lets us get to know the crew better than ever before. The movie also boasts a remixed soundtrack, that sounds great, even without a home theater system. Viewers can watch the film with its original German language track or in its English form. There is a brief featurette on the making of the movie and a really interesting and enjoyable commentary track from Petersen and Prochnow. This is a great presentation for the BEST sub movie ever made. Period Highly Recommended
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece About How War is Felt in the Front
Review: There's a lot of good comments about this film, so I will just add a relatively short personal comment. Most of the WWII films glorify the Allies, with the recent exceptions being made by 'Saving Private Ryan' and some where war atrocities are shown to be commited by either side.
Hence, the really great war films are the ones that becomes more objective rather than subjective: for soldiers and civilians caught up in the frontlines of war, good and evil are relative terms, not absolute. This movie shows the war as it is in the front felt by the foot soldiers, not by generals or great commanders sitting behind some wooden desks and in solid bunkers: hence, the movie becomes less political. Moreover, the Nazi high command are despised by submarine officers due to the ignorant orders of their commanders. Also, for the submariners, any sea-seasoned men are their potential friend even though they may have to face each other in the field of battle: this is shown when the U boat emerges on to a scene where they just torpedoed an allied tanker. The sailors are crying help from the burning ship and the German officers want to help them, only to be turned down by the steely captain who contains his helplessness by saying that they are not allowed to take prisoners. An officers sobs as the whole staff sees the blazing see covered with burning oil consume the sailors one by one. It is this kind of humane expressions of the U boat crew that begins to endow life into subjects that may be just considered as lifeless robots in the form of loyal Nazi soldiers: you know, many old movies about WWII easily justifies the killing the Axis soldiers by not portraying who they really were. Just as Allied soldiers who died in the line of duty came from many walks of life, many Axis soldiers were also those kind of people who died serving their country, although the Axis leaders were clearly in the wrong and they were the ones to be punished to the extreme. Politics go through the window once life and death situations arise as in a battle, and for many seasoned soldiers, they know that politics are like useless drugs that drive fresh, young, ignorant and willing men into their certain deaths. By having experienced officers mixed with fresh, young crew, the movie places the viewer at a crossroad where propaganda, nationalism, patriotism is invalid and only where survival, comradeship and longing to live to see another day is valid. This is more so when the background for battle is a confined steel cellar where pressure of death on the crew is as much as the pressure of water bearing on the canny submarine itself. It is in this respect that the movie can be called one of the most greatest war movies of all the time despite portraying Germans in WWII. The movie shows what war is to a foot soldier in the front lines. If some more war movies were made like this...who knows. Polticians may not cry war that easily.
Rating:
Summary: A Gut-Ripping Journey
Review: I remember the first time I watched Das Boot. It was before the English dubbing so was in German with sub-titles. Something about watching the drama unforld in the original German added to the suspense. Maybe because you had to concentrate more to follow the plot flow. Since then I have watched it a couple of times on TV and never recaptured the magic of that first viewing. The other night I watched it for the first time off the Directors Cut DVD and was mesmorized!!! I have since watched it in German w/subtitles, English, and English with the directors comments. The movie itself is a lesson in dramatic film making. The story takes place in late 1941 when the war was beginning to turn against the Germans. The Captain is played brilliantly by a young Jurgon Prochnow. Basically the plot centers around one war-time patrol of a U-Boat captained by an experienced commandeer but staffed by very young and inexperienced sailors. The journey takes these almost children from early boredom to sheer terror and beyond. The filming of the action scenes makes you feel you are a part of the action with the fast camera motions and quick scene changes. What I really liked about this film above everything else is the contrasts director Wolfgang Peterson used throughout the film. One example: when the U-boat leaves the dock to begin their patrol we see a scene of smiling, youthful sailors waving as they head out to sea. Upon their return we're treated to a group of sullen bearded ancient sailors, showing no emotion upon arriving home. Great stuff. I also love the options the DVD gives you. Again, you can watch it in German, German with sub-titles, English, and even in Spanish. I haven't done that yet. It includes a short film about the making of the movie which is highly interesting, and the directors comments. I would highy recommend this to ANY movie buff, whether you are into war movies or not. This is SUCH a great movie experience.
Rating:
Summary: Here's another 5 star review
Review: Das Boot is without a doubt the definitive U-boat/submarine combat thriller. This is an excellent story that has gotten all the credit it deserves, it's only a shame more American filmwatchers havent seen this yet, or in many cases, heard of it. The other 100+ reviews for this film cover it very well, and I will just add emphasis on how one needs to see this film. Not often is a movie made about Germans in WWII with even a slight degree of objectivity, this one shines above all with its portrayal of German submariners at sea, and quite entertaining as well as truthful. The DVD quality is excellent, with extra footage throughout the film and no screen loops when the DVD is switching layers. You wont be disapointed with this film.
Rating:
Summary: The Best War Movie Ever Made!
Review: This fine movie is without a doubt, the best war film and certainly one of the top twenty films of all time. This movie made Wolfgang Peterson (The Perfect Storm) a sought after director and is an extremely well done war film from the German's point of view. I know some people who refuse to enjoy this spectacular film because it does indeed tell the entire film through the point of view of the Germans. I say to them, get a grip! These are people too and they were serving their country, like any American would do. The director's cut, at some 3 and 1/2 hours is long, but never boring! Get the Director's Cut and experience Das Boot like the great war film it was made to be.
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