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Jürgen Prochnow, Herbert Grönemeyer, Klaus Wennemann, Hubertus Bengsch, Martin Semmelrogge ... see more see more... , Bernd Tauber , Erwin Leder , Claude-Oliver Rudolph , Jan Fedder , Ralf Richter , Heinz Hoenig , Martin Hemme , Lutz Schnell , Oliver Stritzel , Otto Sander , Rita Cadillac , Edwige Pierre , Joachim Bernhard , Günter Lamprecht , Martin May , Uwe Ochsenknecht , U.A. Ochsen

Das Boot is one of the most gripping and authentic war movies ever made. Based on an autobiographical novel by German World War II photographer Lothar-Guenther Buchheim, the film follows the lives of ... read more read more...a fearless U-Boat captain (Jurgen Prochnow) and his inexperienced crew as they patrol the Atlantic and Mediterranean in search of Allied vessels, taking turns as hunter and prey. There's very little plot, so the movie's power comes from both its riveting, epic battle scenes and its details of the boring hours spent waiting for orders or signs of the enemy. With the exception of one staunch Hitler Youth lieutenant, none of the crew is particularly loyal to the Nazis, and some are openly hostile toward their Fuhrer; this allows viewer sympathy with the men as they perform their laborious, monotonous duties in cramped, filthy quarters, or await death as depth charges explode all around the sub. Prochnow is excellent as the nerves-of-steel commander, and many of the supporting actors -- all German -- are solid as well, although the characterizations border on war movie clichés (the young crewman who has left behind his pregnant girlfriend, the Chief Engineer whose wife is seriously ill). The real star, however, is cinematographer Jost Vacano, who makes the sub's grimy, claustrophobic interior come to vivid life, as his camera follows the crew through hatches, up ladders, into bunks, and under pipes, creating a palpable sense of claustrophobia while injecting it with movement. Originally edited by writer/director Wolfgang Petersen as both a two-and-a-half hour theatrical release and a six-hour German miniseries, Das Boot was re-released in a restored version in 1997 with nearly one hour of added footage which made it even more suspenseful than before. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi

Flixster Users

93% liked it

45,118 ratings

Critics

98% liked it

46 critics

R, 2 hr. 25 min.

Directed by: Wolfgang Petersen

Release Date: September 17, 1981

Keywords: action, war, anti-war, submarine, sub

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DVD Release Date: December 10, 1997

Stats: 3,195 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (3,195)

  • flixsterman
    February 20, 2012
    flixsterman
    Speaking as a submarine veteran of both the Atlantic and Pacific fleets, this is by far the grittiest, most realistic sub movie I've ever seen. Technically and emotionally stunning.
  • fb619846742
    August 27, 2011
    fb619846742
    An extraordinary well-made, politically savvy submarine movie concerning a group of German soldiers during WW2 who have doubts concerning the direction of the Nazi regime, but have no say in the matter when they are ordered to go out sea and search for enemy vessels. One has to g... read moreive director Wolfgang Peterson a ton of credit for being so bold in attempting to get the audience on the side of a group of Nazis, a task which he does successfully through the use of subtly showing their doubts and uncertainty that they are fighting for the right cause. The twists and plotting that are on display here are something you could not script any better, as Peterson's shrewd camera work coupled with his ability to gauge when to hold his audience in suspense or deliver the excitement in bundles proves to be captivating. The final, devastating twist single-handedly pushes this movie into "elite" status, as it is one that is so emotionally ravaging and unexpected that it will leave you stunned upon conclusion. Without question one of the best foreign films constructed, and one that demands repeat viewings over one's lifespan.
  • Tomassgringo
    June 28, 2011
    Tomassgringo
    Wolfgang Petersen did something I felt was impossible... I actually found myself kind of rooting for the Germans in this WWII set film. Great performances from all of the cast and it is good to see that even the enemy is just doing what they also think is right.
  • Stickykk
    April 2, 2011
    Stickykk
    Grade A (95%)

    This is a great submarine movie I have seen since "The Hunt for Red October". Das Boot (also known as The Boat) is a thrilling experience. Directed by Wolfgang Petersen (who was nominated for Best Director in 1981), Das Boot takes us into a World War II German U-... read moreBoat where its mission is to sail the ocean and basically sink as many enemy ships as they can. Unfortunately, it's not that easy. The one thing that I never learned from the film "The Hunt for Red October" was how hard it is to maneuver in a submarine. In many moments of the film, the submarine with have to descend deeper into the ocean to take the least damage possible from over head Destroyers who are dropping bombs from the sides of the ship. While most of these hits occur on the sides of the U-boat, the damage can still be critical.

    What Das Boot does best is the suspense. Most of the movie is filmed inside the U-boat where the story is the same throughout: find enemy ships, sink them, dodge attacks, repeat. Sometimes the action is unexpected and sometimes the beeps sounding faster and faster to represent a Destroyer's range of the U-Boat is suspenseful.

    The movie works in every way. The film has violence that comes with some disturbing images for younger audiences but nothing to be worried about (i.e. - a bolt from a pipe bursts and strikes a man in the arm but no close us detail of the wound). The acting performances are good enough to keep you well into the film and actually like the characters.

    For a foreign film, Das Boot succeeds. It does everything an American film does that makes it terrific. The violence is fantastic, the direction from Mr. Petersen is amazing, and the suspense is present throughout the film.

    NOTE: I watched the Director's Cut which was 3 hours and 30 minutes long.

    Das Boot is a thrill ride, I would watch it again.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    July 21, 2010
    TheDudeLebowski65
    If there's a war film that truly represents the realistic submarine warfare of World War II, Das Boot would be it. Wolfgang Peterson has crafted his masterpiece with this film. A film so realistic that when you watch it, you feel like you're part of the war itself. Some people ha... read moreve considered U-571 the best World War II submarine film, an entertaining film, but very flawed and about 15% Accurate. While this film is superb and it blows every Submarine film out of the water, this film is a definite must watch if you love war films. The cast is great as well. You feel claustrophobia as most of the action happens under water in a German U boat. Das Boot is a one of a kind film, a unique war film that touches on the small details and it really makes all the difference in the end. This is a film for people appreciate cinema and if you're claustrophobic, you may not want to watch it as 85-90% of the film is set in the U boat. But if you're tempted into watching it, you'll witness one of the greatest war films ever put to film. Das Boot is a masterpiece.
  • ironclad1609
    March 14, 2010
    ironclad1609
    The blueprint of a submarine film, pretty much quoted and copied ever since, still remains the masterpiece of the genre. It also takes the WW2 issue on a whole new level by showing the little men, the young ones, who didn't give a damn about political ideologies and were thrown t... read moreo waste into the battlefields below the Atlantic. The movie takes its time to introduce those round and realistic characters you're soon stuck with for the next three hours under very claustrophobic conditions. The acting is superb, maybe even the best that was ever produced in Germany. The atmosphere of constant threat from above and around you is almost physically tangible. Especially the final hour is outstanding and will leave you moved, thrilled and breathless. A masterpiece among the war epics.
  • TheMachinist
    October 10, 2008
    TheMachinist
    "Das Boot" is a truly amazing, outstanding and perfect. Ok, all of those words pretty much mean the same but the film is the best navy themed film ever made. It's long as hell but never dull.

    The cast is perfect and they all do a great job putting their characters to life. The c... read morelaustrophobic atmosphere inside The "Boot" is well made and photographed to the screen.

    "Das Boot" features probably the best theme song ever made. The overall sound of the movie is great and highly recommended for home theater viewing.

    Forget about all the other lame WW2 submarine attempts. "Das Boot" is the ultimate film in its own genre.
  • pier007
    February 20, 2008
    pier007
    Harrowing epic tale of courage and despair, claustrophobic odyssey under the sea. It's pure and simple sympathy for the devil.
  • sanjurosamurai
    January 20, 2008
    sanjurosamurai
    one of the great war films of all time, this 4 hour epic is slow and dragging and the film is stronger for it. the slowness of the story is to illustrate the reality of life at sea in a u-boat. purposeful and brilliant in its delivery it was interesting to see a film from the g... read moreerman perspective of the war. i never caught myself symathising with nazi's, but i did sympathise with the individuals because this film does a great job of showing the plight of a soldier while never making the mistake of discussing the politics of war. everytime they looked doomed i hoped they werent, and then when they finally were doomed i was ok with it. this is an example of a director doing everything right.
  • garyX
    July 14, 2007
    garyX
    Intelligent and extremely claustrophic WWII drama set aboard a german submarine. The characters and performances are extremely believable which makes for an extremely harrowing three hours!

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Critic Reviews

Variety Staff
February 23, 2012
Variety Staff, Variety

Everything described in the film is authentic. Full Review

Dave Kehr
December 9, 2011
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

The film has no qualities beyond its formal polish. Full Review

Todd McCarthy
March 19, 2009
Todd McCarthy, Variety

Agripping, impressively detailed account of one harrowing voyage by a German U-boat during World War II. Full Review

Geoff Andrew
June 24, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

Petersen's shooting style displays a breathtaking, if impersonal and faintly academic, virtuosity comparable to that of Lean or Coppola. Full Review

Janet Maslin
August 30, 2004
Janet Maslin, New York Times

Das Boot is yet another moving testament to the wastefulness of battle. Full Review

Jeff Millar
February 2, 2002
Jeff Millar, Houston Chronicle

The film reaches right out to grab us by the neck and squeeze hard.

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Wolfgang Petersen's direction is an exercise in pure craftsmanship. Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

This film takes all of the drama and suspense inherent in a submarine-based story and delivers it in a near- perfect package, establishing Das Boot as not just a terrific adrenaline rush, but one of t... Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

You're drawn in powerfully as the crew members experience a psychologically maddening cycle of lull and storm. Full Review

Edward Guthmann
January 1, 2000
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle

Suspenseful when it needs to be and intelligent in its depiction of the horrors of war and the sweaty claustrophobia of submarine life. On occasion, it's even -- pardon the pun -- deep. Full Review

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Das Boot (The Boat) Trivia

  • Wolgang Peterson and a German U Boat. Which Movie?  Answer »
  • This submarine movie was banned in Germany when first released.  Answer »
  • The German film Das Boot, starring Jurgen Prochnow is about a German U-boat in WWII. What does "Das Boot" translate to in English  Answer »
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