Review of Das Boot (1981) by Charles B — 25 Dec 2011

"Not bad in here, is it? No mail, no telephone. Solid wood paneling. Well-ventilated boat. Free food, too. "Rolling in clover" we are.".

Synopsis: Follows the trials of a German U-boat crew during World War II.

Das Boot has the pleasure of being appealing to a wide array of individuals, not just cinema enthusiasts; but also fans of Star Trek, naval warfare, or history. It's a fantastic learning tool and sensual experience. Lurking in the cramped corridors lies something greater than simple plot exercise. The sweat on the captain's brow, the water-soaked radiograms and mold stricken food, the foggy air inside the sailor's cabins, and the smell of month old laundry, it's achieves atmosphere through authenticity. Don't let the term authenticity scare you away from this adventure though, as it's an incredible audible and visual experience.

Need a way to measure how much of an achievement this picture is, then compare it to The Hunt for Red October, which is no slouch either. With more set space, a bigger budget, well known actors, a more dense script, and advances in cinematic technology, Red October still falls short in every category, Das Boot has got a better narrative, it's far more exhilarating and it's cinematography is far superior. plus Das Boot seams to have a much greater reliance on in-camera effects rather than digital imagery.

Das Boot isn't just a film, it's a day in the life of a world war II german submarine sailor.