Das Boot (1981) is a German war film directed by Wolfgang Petersen, based on the 1973 novel by Lothar-Günther Buchheim.

The movie is a gripping and realistic portrayal of life aboard a German U-boat (submarine) during World War II.

It is renowned for its intense atmosphere, claustrophobic setting, and unflinching look at the psychological and physical pressures faced by the crew during their missions in the Atlantic.

Jürgen Prochnow as the Captain (Der Alte), the experienced and level-headed commander of U-96. Herbert Grönemeyer as Lt. Werner, the war correspondent who joins the crew to document their experience

Klaus Wennemann as the Chief Engineer (Leitender Ingenieur), is responsible for keeping the U-boat operational

Das Boot is celebrated for its realistic depiction of submarine warfare and the tension of life underwater, as the crew faces constant danger from Allied ships and depth charges. The film captures both the camaraderie and despair of the crew, who are isolated in a tight, suffocating environment.

The film was released in several versions, including a theatrical cut, a director’s cut, and a full miniseries version. It received widespread critical acclaim for its direction, cinematography, and performances, particularly Prochnow’s portrayal of the captain.

Das Boot was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Adapted Screenplay, making it one of the most successful German films internationally.

Its legacy endures as one of the greatest war films ever made, praised for its realism, technical craftsmanship, and its balanced portrayal of the human cost of war, regardless of nationality.

SUBMARINER’S SONG

.

Whether storm threatens us high from the north,

Whether homesickness glows in our hearts;

We have become comrades,

Even if it goes to hell.

.

Sailors who know how to die,

However, fate may play,

And our drum goes to pieces,

Then the north wind sings us a song:

.

Refrain

On a sailor’s grave,

No roses bloom there,

On a sailor’s grave,

No flowers bloom there,

The only greeting is the white seagulls

And a tear that a little girl cry.

.

We’ve seen many a one of us die,

But none of us cried,

Sharp cliffs – they brought ruin,

The boat went to the devil in the meantime.

.

The ice-cold waves beat

After the one we all loved so well;

And when death parted him from us,

We quietly sang this song:

THE LEAVING OF LIVERPOOL  ex-Liverpool seaman Michael Walsh, regular television, radio and newspaper personality. Bestseller: 70 stories and over 100 pictures. A first-hand account of the British ships, seafarers, adventures and misadventures (1955 – 1975). A tribute to the ships and seamen of the then-largest merchant marine in history. BOOK LINK https://tinyurl.com/3kuja2s5

BRITANNIC WAIVES THE RULES The Last White Star Liner (1845-1960) by Michael Walsh, a regular television, radio and newspaper personality. In 68 lavishly illustrated stories the company’s last deckboy vividly recalls shipboard life. The liner’s colourful characters and jaw-dropping incidents both on board and in New York’s notorious Hell’s Kitchen. A unique collector’s item. LINK TO BOOK https://tinyurl.com/42zns8n2