I just saw "Das Boot" for the first time.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by WilhelmSchulz.

BTW: Yes it is a grate movie.

It's "great".

Originally Posted by ryuzu

The original TV series was, if I remember correctly, 6 episdoes long - 6 hours - a bit over double the movie length. There was more time available to build the weight of boredom before releasing it with a brief attack and then once again letting the viewer see a depth charging for an extended period.

It's available on DVD. It's called Das Boot: The Original, Uncut Version, and with the opening and closing episode credits removed it's just under 5 hours.

Originally Posted by Der Graf Von Rudkilde

Das Boot is not fiction - Its based on the log book and the survivers storys from the boat. What you c in the movie really happend during the war for that sub - Thus its compressed into one war patrol is it the most realistic submarine movie ever.

Yes it is fiction. Lothar-Gunther Bucheim based the book on his own experience as a correspondent in a U-boat patrol, but he freely admitted that he changed names and fictionalized a lot of the story. Several real u-boatmen criticized him for this. If you want the reality, get his book U-Boat War.

He didn't even use a real boat in the book, he called it U-A. The real U-96 was indeed the boat he rode on, but it was sunk in an air-raid, but not until 1944. And the real "Old Man", Otto-Wilhelm Lehmanbock, didn't die, but served as a technical adviser on the movie.

The directors cut wich last over 4 hours is the one to see

No, the Director's Cut is only 3-/2 hours. As I said above, the Uncut version is the best, and it's just under 5 hours.

[Turm]

Recently watched the full uncut version for the first time, after owning it for almost a year. (Shame on me, but I can blame the computer for keeping me away from the TV).

Absolutely loved it. Not quite what I expected (a lot more of nothing happening than something happening), but it didn't disappoint me at all. I can't wait to watch it again, even though the end did leave me with a lasting impression about the pointlessness and tragedy of the people who fight in wars.

Even my wife thought it was fantastic. Despite having no plan to watch it she became drawn in as they headed out of port. Gave us something different to talk about for the rest of the evening after it finished. What's more, she wants to watch it again soon too!

[Sailor Steve]

It's odd, but I had the strangest reaction to the ending. I didn't take it as anti-war, and I saw no futility at all. It just seemed to me to be very German. After all, they did invent opera (even though the Italians took it to greater heights), and operas always have a bad ending.

[bigboywooly]

Originally Posted by Turm

Recently watched the full uncut version for the first time, after owning it for almost a year. (Shame on me, but I can blame the computer for keeping me away from the TV).

Absolutely loved it. Not quite what I expected (a lot more of nothing happening than something happening), but it didn't disappoint me at all. I can't wait to watch it again, even though the end did leave me with a lasting impression about the pointlessness and tragedy of the people who fight in wars.

Even my wife thought it was fantastic. Despite having no plan to watch it she became drawn in as they headed out of port. Gave us something different to talk about for the rest of the evening after it finished. What's more, she wants to watch it again soon too!

WOW

Mine legs it as soon as it goes on
:rotfl:

[Jimbuna]

It taught me a moral: Always park your vehicle under cover

[P_Funk]

Originally Posted by Turm

Recently watched the full uncut version for the first time, after owning it for almost a year.

Don't feel bad. I've owned Apocalypse Now Redux since christmas and haven't watched it either. And its my favourite movie! I'm just biding my time for the right moment. Its really a once a year movie.

[Hitman]

A great discussion going on here, but the topic has clearly steered towards an area where placing it in the Films & Books forums will be more appropiate -and better seen by people who browse for those themes-. Moving it there