Das Boot
The plot-line follows the experiences of Lt. Werner, played by Herbert Grönemeyer, who is writing a report on this particular boat, the U-96. He joins the captain, nicknamed “der Alte” or “the Old Man,” on his way to the boat and their car is stopped by a gang of disorderly drunken sailors (ironically, the same sailors meant to crew the U-96), who urinate on their car. Werner is disgusted by the crew’s continuously poor behaviour and overindulgence before they even set sail together.
Great for U-boat enthusiasts, Werner is fascinated by the fine craftsmanship of the U-96 as well as the way that it moves into and through the water. Still, the cameras follow Werner and the members of the crew, as Petersen uses few external shots of the U-96 to heighten the suspense and help the audience empathize with the claustrophobic sensation of being submerged below the water in a crowded war machine. There’s no one for Werner to really talk and relate to, even though the ship is so cramped, heightening the sense of isolation and desperation in a poorly ventilated, sweaty and masculine environment, where there is nothing for the soldiers to do and no one to fight. Despite their stereotypical drunken-sailor escapades on shore, the film depicts the crew as ordinary guys with a desire to serve their country.
The U-96 goes through hell and deep water, suffering great damage on many occasions, when they do run into enemy ships and facing tremendous tension as we wonder whether the captain’s decisions are necessarily the safest for those who are onboard. Except for the mechanic’s nervous breakdown, the U-96 suffers no casualties on board until the end of the movie. When they are welcomed back into the “safety” of their home port, allied fighter planes bomb the area, killing several crew members. Werner finds that the captain has also been wounded and, as they watch the ship sink in the harbour, the captain also dies.
| 1 | 2 | next >>