Das Boot film variations question.

[flag4]

..i was looking at the dvds on amazon and saw that there are 3 different editions of Das Boot. i have read/heard somewhere in a review there is a 6 hour version from the original TV version then there is the one i have:

Das Boot - The Mini Series (2 Disc Uncut Version) which comes in at 4hours 42mins approx. it also has the special feature interview. ( which is not that special coz it does not go on very long )

then this one;

Das Boot (Directors Cut) which comes in at 200minutes.

then this one:

Das Boot (Mini-Series) ( The Boat ) which comes in at 282 minutes - which is the same length as mine.

whats the difference between the two longer versions - is it just the packaging?

and...*hands together in praying style*...is there a 6 hour version - or am i just dreaming/praying

[Sailor Steve]

Almost certainly the only difference is the packaging. Here in the States it is known as the 'Original Uncut Version',



and is also 292 minutes, which of course is 4 hours 52 minutes. It is the longest - there is no "6-hour" version. I assume this mistake came about because the miniseries as six episodes, each about 48 minutes (probably 55 minutes with opening and closing credits for each episode).

[frau kaleun]

whats the difference between the two longer versions - is it just the packaging?

This, I'm pretty sure.

The "6 hours" you often see in reference to the mini-series version was the actual running time on European television.

As Steve notes, some of that time was for opening/closing credits... and when it ran on TV each episode also began with a short "previously on" segment that summarized the story up to that point. None of that stuff from individual episodes is included in the DVD presentation of the miniseries, since it's unnecessary (and would be obtrusive) in that format.

[Sailor Steve]

On the other hand these days I usually watch the movie an hour or so at a time, and if they were to release a real 'Miniseries' version, with the episode as originally aired, I would buy it in a heartbeat. I keep wondering exactly where the breaks are.

[frau kaleun]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

On the other hand these days I usually watch the movie an hour or so at a time, and if they were to release a real 'Miniseries' version, with the episode as originally aired, I would buy it in a heartbeat. I keep wondering exactly where the breaks are.

I'd buy it as well. I'd prolly buy a BluRay release, even though I wouldn't have anything to play it on. Yet.

What I would really love is some kind of collector's edition with lots of extras. Preferably some kind of "making of" feature on the original production, I'm almost positive there is a making-of documentary that was done but never released over here. I think I've seen bits of it on youtube, all it would need is subtitles.

[flag4]

...thanks for the clarification!

i watched the 2nd disc - 2nd half yesterday, thats what got me thinking, i had read this thing about 6 hours and thought what else am i missing, obviously nothing - only the dream...and the book - nothing happens most of the time - is always worth a re-read...

...though i could watch it all and then - without pause - go straight in to U571...


cheers.

ps have you noticed that it does not seem like 4.5 hours if you watch it all in one go. oh yeah, before i go, any one got 'Stalingrad' without the english dubbing - i'll pay the post, if not too much

[JokerOfFate]

Wait there's an Engish verison of Stalingrad... I watch the Russian verison