Welcome to The Best Movies I’ve Never Seen! This is the part of the blog where I work my way through 100 films I’ve never seen that are generally considered to be great. You’re invited to watch along with me if you can find a copy or find it streaming. So grab some popcorn and let’s get started!

Das Boot

1981

Directed by Wolfgang Petersen

German director Wolfgang Petersen takes viewers on a tense underwater journey in his 1981 film Das Boot, based on the novel by Lothar-Günther Buchheim. This epic war drama follows the crew of the German U-boat U-96 during the Battle of the Atlantic in 1941. With exhilarating action and captivating characters, Das Boot is not your typical war movie.

The film wastes no time throwing audiences into the pressure cooker of life aboard a submarine. Within minutes we’re submerged with the crew, navigating the tight metal corridors and experiencing the monotonous days broken up by bursts of harrowing battle. Jürgen Prochnow shines as the experienced but disillusioned captain who struggles to keep his young crew alive amidst dangerous waters. The ensemble cast portrays the mix of ideologies amongst the sailors, from wide-eyed new recruit Lt. Werner (Herbert Grönemeyer) to an ardent Nazi 1st Watch Officer (Hubertus Bengsch). Their characters drive home the human toll of war beneath the exciting battle sequences.

In an impressive display of directorial dedication, Petersen filmed Das Boot in sequence over the course of a year. This immersive production method shows through in the actors’ increasing pallor and exhaustion. Petersen also constructed intricately detailed sets including a full-scale U-boat mockup. His meticulous approach pays off with absolutely riveting submarine scenes. The film’s tense depth charge attacks put viewers’ nerves on edge even without CGI effects.

Weaving between the suspenseful battles and the ideological debates of the crew, Das Boot explores the mental strain of life during wartime. Petersen takes audiences on what he called “a journey to the edge of the mind.” Despite a few historical inaccuracies, Das Boot’s gripping plot and technical accomplishments earn its status as one of the greatest war films ever made. Das Boot is a must-watch for any cinema fan ready to dive into the pressure cooker of life aboard a WWII German U-boat. Just be prepared to catch your breath as you resurface over 3 hours later.

Let me know in the comments if you’ve seen Das Boot! What did you think of the underwater scenes and multi-dimensional characters? I’m curious to hear others’ takes on this classic war drama.