I did it....I finally did it....

[Red October1984]

I sat through all 209 minutes of Das Boot: The Director's Cut.

:o Wow.

I have never seen the entire movie all the way through....until now. I am glad I did. Wow....wow...wow what a great movie....

I want to see the Original Uncut version now. I love the storyline....Why have I never watched it before....

I used to skip through to the attack scenes but now I see that I missed out on much more.

I'm speechless...kinda.... :lurk:

It was beautiful. :cry:

[Cybermat47]

Tell me about it. While some films calmly say "War is bad," this one takes you by the scruff of your neck, and screams it into your face for 209 minutes until the message is literally burnt into your brain.

[Sailor Steve]

Taking it easy, eh? I've sat through the entire five hours of the 'Uncut Version' several times, and watched it one hour at a time a lot more. :sunny:

[Red October1984]

Tell me about it. While some films calmly say "War is bad," this one takes you by the scruff of your neck, and screams it into your face for 209 minutes until the message is literally burnt into your brain.

I want to say that I understand....but...nobody will ever understand what those men went through.

No matter how much SH3 I have played....even though the Germans were enemies...

I respect those men. Those ordinary German men who sailed the Atlantic.

(Except the First Officer. He's a Nazi Robot who barely grows a beard to cover that baby face. I don't like him at all. He showed almost no emotion until towards the end. He didn't seem to care about the crew. He was like the Political Officer in The Hunt For Red October)

[Cybermat47]

(Except the First Officer. He's a Nazi Robot who barely grows a beard to cover that baby face. I don't like him at all. He showed almost no emotion until towards the end. He didn't seem to care about the crew. He was like the Political Officer in The Hunt For Red October)

Yeah. Although, by the end, you can see that his faith in the supremacy of Nazi ideals has cracked. On his second or third patrol, he probably won't bother with shaving and his uniform. If he lives that far.

[Sailor Steve]

I(Except the First Officer. He's a Nazi Robot who barely grows a beard to cover that baby face. I don't like him at all. He showed almost no emotion until towards the end. He didn't seem to care about the crew.
That's why you need to see the full-length version. What he really is, is a confused young man who is totally unsure of himself. He made his way from Mexico back to Germany to join the war effort not because he's a rabid party dog, but because he thought it was what he was supposed to do. He joined the party not because he's a 'true believer', but because he thought it was what he was supposed to do. He acts the part of the sincere nazi because it helps cover his own insecurities. He doesn't know what to do with the captain's teasing, so he keeps a stiff upper lip. I feel sorry for the poor guy. Also notice that when the chips are down and everything is falling apart, he keeps his head on straight and does his job.

Sorry, but the Director's Cut leaves so much out, especially in the characterization department.

[Jimbuna]

Sorry, but the Director's Cut leaves so much out, especially in the characterization department.


Most definitely...the 4 hours and 42 minute version is a lot better:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Das-Boot-Series-Uncut-Version/dp/B0001NIYUO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1359914617&sr=8-2

[Red October1984]

I have the Uncut version on my Amazon list. I'll get it eventually. I really want to see it.

I need to get the book too... :yep:

[Sailor Steve]

I need to get the book too... :yep:
The 'Uncut Version' of the movie has some harsher material, stuff that really makes you think. The book is outstanding, and a bit creepier. They actually left some of the harsher parts out, even from the long version of the movie.

Just remember that while it is based in fact, and taken from real memories, the book never claims to be anything other than fiction.

[Red October1984]

The 'Uncut Version' of the movie has some harsher material, stuff that really makes you think. The book is outstanding, and a bit creepier. They actually left some of the harsher parts out, even from the long version of the movie.

Just remember that while it is based in fact, and taken from real memories, the book never claims to be anything other than fiction.

It is very good fiction. I don't think there is a better U-boat story out there.

[AVGWarhawk]

Never seen it. I heard it was good.

[Sailor Steve]

Never seen it. I heard it was good.
The uncut version? The director's cut? The movie at all? :o

[AVGWarhawk]

The movie. Heard it was "B" rated nonsense. Boat, water, bombs, smelly guys all beating impossible odds only to die in their own country at the end. Same old song and dance. Typical Hollywood formula. It's a joke and totally common place. I had no interest. I watched, "20 Leagues Under the Sea." Much better story. Believable. Top notch stuff.



:yeah:




Believe that and I'll tell you I have a bridge for sale. I have all versions of the movie. Das Boot is the very best movie about u-boat warfare that will never be matched. Shame the Pacific submarine service is not handled by Hollywood in the same manner. In short, I was just messing with ya.

[Sailor Steve]

That's actually kind of funny. Europeans who love the movie praise it and say things like "I'm so glad Hollywood didn't get a chance to ruin it!" It is indeed rife with cliches and silliness. And sometimes bad procedure.

The attraction is that it's all filmed inside a full-size u-boat mock-up (three hyphens [and parentheses] in one sentence!) set on gimbals to roll and pitch, full of details. There is no real plot. It's just a patrol gone bad. It's a whole lot of fun, and the full-length version does a great job of showing the frustration and boredom involved, as well as the big moral decisions that sometimes crop up.

Despite its flaws it is easily the most believable submarine movie ever. It is also the direct inspiration for all these subsims. I can't recommend it enough.

[AVGWarhawk]

Yes it is the most believable. I do recall "Enemy Below" that was not bad for the time it was written and cast for a movie.

[Sailor Steve]

I was talking about Das Boot, not 20,000 Leagues. And I agree - The Enemy Below is wonderful, despite their u-boat being a bit silly.

[Red October1984]

I was talking about Das Boot, not 20,000 Leagues. And I agree - The Enemy Below is wonderful, despite their u-boat being a bit silly.

The Enemy Below's submarine was terrible...I thought the Captain of the sub was a good actor but I didn't like anything else about it. You see how he pushes up the periscope with his hands? And that boat is WAAAAYYYY too roomy.

[Sailor Steve]

As I've said, it looks to me like they took some fake submarine stuff and shot it in a square room; as opposed to Das Boot, which, despite my several complaints, looks and feels like a real Type VII u-boat. A friend of mine sat through the entire movie complaining about claustrophobia.

[AVGWarhawk]

The Enemy Below's submarine was terrible...I thought the Captain of the sub was a good actor but I didn't like anything else about it. You see how he pushes up the periscope with his hands? And that boat is WAAAAYYYY too roomy.

Enemy Below to me focused more on the Captains. Their strengths, weakness, stubborn personalities and desire to win at all costs. The actual sub had little to do with character development. Authenticity of the sub is not what they were going for. Drama of two strong wills going head to head.

[Red October1984]

As I've said, it looks to me like they took some fake submarine stuff and shot it in a square room; as opposed to Das Boot, which, despite my several complaints, looks and feels like a real Type VII u-boat. A friend of mine sat through the entire movie complaining about claustrophobia.


Looks like they put stuff from a "submarine" into a mansion living room. :up:

The filming for Das Boot was amazing.... :yep:

[AVGWarhawk]

As I've said, it looks to me like they took some fake submarine stuff and shot it in a square room; as opposed to Das Boot, which, despite my several complaints, looks and feels like a real Type VII u-boat. A friend of mine sat through the entire movie complaining about claustrophobia.

As I stated above concerning Enemy Below. As for Das Boot...yeah...if you let your mind wander as you watch claustrophobia certainly sets in. Given all of the inconsistencies and other botched items in Das Boot overall it is the Holy Grail of sub movies IMO. Also, we are a bit biased as we read about, studied and played games on the subject. To someone like my wife, she would accept Das Boot as a accurate depiction.

[Red October1984]

As I stated above concerning Enemy Below. As for Das Boot...yeah...if you let your mind wander as you watch claustrophobia certainly sets in. Given all of the inconsistencies and other botched items in Das Boot overall it is the Holy Grail of sub movies IMO. Also, we are a bit biased as we read about, studied and played games on the subject. To someone like my wife, she would accept Das Boot as a accurate depiction.

Das Boot seems pretty darn real doesn't it? I first read that it was Fiction a couple years back and I had an extreme :o moment.

[sharkbit]

Enemy Below to me focused more on the Captains. Their strengths, weakness, stubborn personalities and desire to win at all costs. The actual sub had little to do with character development. Authenticity of the sub is not what they were going for. Drama of two strong wills going head to head.

Imagine that....a movie relying on character development and a good story line instead of most of the tripe they call movies now days that rely so much on special effects.
I can always overlook a fake looking movie set if the story is good.

:)

[sharkbit]

I do agree that "Das Boot" is a good movie. Very powerful and seemingly realistic movie. I saw it when it first came out in the eighties and I bought the Director's Cut a few years ago. Never seen the long version though.

I've read the book numerous times as well. As somebody mentioned above, it is still a work of fiction even though it based on fact .

With that being said, and at risk of being branded a heretic, I read in Michael Gannon's book "Operation Drumbeat" some of the crewmen of Hardegan's U-123 discussing both the book and the movie.

Quoted from the book:

Hans Seigel:It wasn't at all like what people saw in Bucheim's movie, Das Boot.

Walter Lorenz: No, not at all. In the movie when the depth charges hit you see men falling all about. It was just not like that. Sure, your nerves jangled, but falling about on each other? No, no.

Seigel: When you heard the ASDIC, and when you heard the depth charges, you knew that you were still alive. But it's true, when the destroyer's propeller noises grew louder and closer, and when the pinging reverberated throughout the boat, and when you heard the click of the explosives reaching their depth, sure it rattled your nerves. But there was never any screams or shouts like in the film. It just didn't happen. It couldn't happen-they'd locate you immediately. If just one man shouted-

Richard Amstein: I don't think there was man on board who wasn't scared.

Walter Kaeding: The man who says he wasn't scared, he's a liar. The difference was that in a U-boat you couldn't show your fear. So we didn't. But in Bucheim's film Das Boot, where the men are so scared they go in their pants, not one of us had that happen, not one.

Karl Latislaus: Did you know that Bucheim also wrote a book? He is truly crazy. He made only one trip in a U-boat, as a photojournalist. How could he presume to write about U-boatmen? Some things are factual, but most are not. Before a mission we didn't drink that much or go around without our shirts-

Kaeding: We always knew where we stood. We understood from the beginning that we could be hit out there. But discussing that was taboo. Not in the family, not in the homeland, nowhere did we discuss it. We didn't even discuss with our shipmates.

Seigel: Every boat was different. The commander of every boat was different. And I believe that if we had a commander who was very tense, we wouldn't have been so calm either. But with Hardegen we had confidence that we would make it. And we were a well-experienced crew. You could trust your life to every single man.

:)

[AVGWarhawk]

Imagine that....a movie relying on character development and a good story line instead of most of the tripe they call movies now days that rely so much on special effects.
I can always overlook a fake looking movie set if the story is good.

:)

Yes sir! I watched stage production of Master Harold and the Boys. It starred James Earl Jones (voice of Darth Vadar in Star Wars). The set was two chairs and a table. The story and acting were so well done any other props other than what was used were not necessary to complete the story.

[AVGWarhawk]

With that being said, and at risk of being branded a heretic, I read in Michael Gannon's book "Operation Drumbeat" some of the crewmen of Hardegan's U-123 discussing both the book and the movie.

Great book. I read it 3 times. :up:

[sharkbit]

Great book. I read it 3 times. :up:

If you haven't already, check out his "Black May". Very good. :up:

:)

[Cybermat47]

James Earl Jones (voice of Darth Vadar in Star Wars).

...and Mufasa in The Lion KIng, and Admiral Greer in The Hunt for Red Ocrober. :D

[Sailor Steve]

...and Lt. Zogg in Doctor Strangelove.

And almost 200 other great roles over the past 50 years.

[Cybermat47]

...and Lt. Zogg in Doctor Strangelove.

I should watch that sometime. It looks interesting. :hmm2:

[AVGWarhawk]

If you haven't already, check out his "Black May". Very good. :up:

:)

Yes sir. I have Black May. I believe I have 25-30 some odd books on both ETO and PTO submarine action during the war.

[AVGWarhawk]

...and Lt. Zogg in Doctor Strangelove.

And almost 200 other great roles over the past 50 years.


Yes, but in the play James drops his pants bearing his buttock to the audience. Who here can say they have seen James Earl Jones bare butt? :rotfl2: