Review of Das Boot (1981) by Wayne K — 01 Nov 2015

War movies are in no short supply, but rarely has one ever been so dark, bleak and unbelievably powerful. Das Boot combines shockingly real performances, authentic sets, dynamic camera work, spare but hard-hitting dialogue and scenes of such extreme tension and ferocity that it's impossible not to be on the edge of your seat throughout.

The film contains the best use of slow, quiet moments for building suspense that I've ever seen. Between the barrage of bombs and aerial assaults, our characters crowd together in their hot, sweaty metal box, looking fearful and apprehensive, and I found myself genuinely fearing for their lives.

The movie is primarily about 2 things: Monotony and madness. We witness the insanity and frantic sting of battle, and in between conflicts we have our heroes at the mercy of ennui, sitting around and praying for action.

They find themselves actually longing for situations where their lives are on the line, and with the atmosphere of claustrophobia the movie captures with its tight sets and close proximity of the actors, we can actually understand why.

The characters can only do nothing or do everything, and the heavy toll this takes on them is beautifully captured through their deteriorating appearances and weary expressions. Das Boot is deservedly referred to as a masterpiece, and stands as one of the most brutal and hard-hitting films ever created.

If you can manage to find the director's cut, which runs close to 3.5 hours, it may try your patience at times, but it will be a frankly unforgettable experience.