Das Boot

The crew of German U-boat U-96 endures the crushing tedium and sudden terror of an Atlantic patrol, from depth-charge attacks to a harrowing dive under enemy fire. The film portrays the war from within the claustrophobic hull of the submarine, stripped of ideology and focused on survival.

German U-boats waged a devastating campaign against Allied shipping in the Atlantic, but by late 1941 improved Allied convoy tactics and escorts were beginning to inflict heavy losses on the U-boat fleet.

Based on Lothar-Günther Buchheim's semi-autobiographical novel, the film is widely praised for its technical and psychological realism of U-boat service.

Directed by Wolfgang Petersen

Cast: Jürgen Prochnow, Herbert Grönemeyer, Klaus Wennemann, Hubertus Bengsch

Positioned at Autumn–Winter 1941 within the Battle of the Atlantic phase of the war, as part of the U-boat war. This is entry 45 of 150 in the chronological archive.

• U-boat
• submarine
• Kriegsmarine
• Atlantic
• German perspective

• 

  The Cruel Sea

  1939–1945

• 

  Action in the North Atlantic

  1941–1942

• 

  Sink the Bismarck!

  18–27 May 1941

• 

  Greyhound

  February 1942

• 

  In Which We Serve

  1939–May 1941

• 

  Mediterraneo

  1941–September 1943