Das Boot (1981) DC 1080p BluRay x265 HEVC EAC3-SARTRE

Das Boot is one of the most gripping and authentic war movies ever made. Based on an autobiographical novel by German World War II photographer Lothar-Guenther Buchheim, the film follows the lives of a fearless U-Boat captain (Jurgen Prochnow) and his inexperienced crew as they patrol the Atlantic and Mediterranean in search of Allied vessels, taking turns as hunter and prey. There's very little plot, so the movie's power comes from both its riveting, epic battle scenes and its details of the boring hours spent waiting for orders or signs of the enemy. With the exception of one staunch Hitler Youth lieutenant, none of the crew is particularly loyal to the Nazis, and some are openly hostile toward their Fuhrer; this allows viewer sympathy with the men as they perform their laborious, monotonous duties in cramped, filthy quarters, or await death as depth charges explode all around the sub. Prochnow is excellent as the nerves-of-steel commander, and many of the supporting actors -- all German -- are solid as well, although the characterizations border on war movie clichés (the young crewman who has left behind his pregnant girlfriend, the Chief Engineer whose wife is seriously ill). The real star, however, is cinematographer Jost Vacano, who makes the sub's grimy, claustrophobic interior come to vivid life, as his camera follows the crew through hatches, up ladders, into bunks, and under pipes, creating a palpable sense of claustrophobia while injecting it with movement. Originally edited by writer/director Wolfgang Petersen as both a two-and-a-half hour theatrical release and a six-hour German miniseries, Das Boot was re-released in a restored version in 1997 with nearly one hour of added footage which made it even more suspenseful than before. The commentary track features director Wolfgang Petersen, actor Jurgen Prochnow and director's cut supervisor Ortwin Freyermuth.

Extras

• Maria's Take - Assistant Director Maria Petersen recalls her experiences in the making of Das Boot. (720p, 9:16)

• The Perfect Boat: The Director's Cut - A piece that looks back at the assemblage of the director's cut of the film, a "happy medium" between the longer six-hour television cut of the film and the shorter theatrical cut. Also discussed is the importance of the development of DVD technology in helping along the creation of this cut of the film, the challenges of restoring the picture, rescuing the sound, recreating sound effects, creating an English language dub, and the success of the director's cut's premiere. (720p, 13:02)

• Captain's Tour: Inside the Boat - Viewers are given a brief history of the U-Boat and presented with the option to tour the Entry Conning Tower, the Torpedo Room & Crew Quarters, the Captain's & Officers' Rooms, the Control Room, the Petty Officers' Room & Galley, and the Diesel & Electric Motor Rooms. (720p, 8:12)

• Behind the Scenes - An excellently comprehensive classic piece that looks at the process of creating the movie, told with a strong, well-constructed narrative that plays almost as a movie itself, a detailed retelling of how the movie was made and the dedication to authenticity that's evident right down to the finest little details on the ship. After a narrator sets the scene for various segments from the film, the piece takes its time to take a closer look at all of the elements that are necessary to create the movie and the challenges of shooting such a labor- and authenticity-intensive picture. (1981, 480p, 1:00:20)

• The Battle of the Atlantic - This is a primarily German-language documentary that looks back at the German's Atlantic war effort. Historians look back at the war in the Atlantic between the Germans and Britons, and the piece also interviews combatant veterans. (1983, 720p, 40:16, German/English)

• Back to the Boat - A detailed retrospective piece that looks back at the making of the movie. It features a discussion of Director Wolfgang Petersen's personal and professional history as he travels to the sets and shooting locations as seen in the film to reminisce on both the challenges and satisfactions of the shoot, and the need for authenticity in the film. (720p, 44:46)

• Audio Commentary : Director's Cut Producer Ortwin Freyermuth hosts Director Wolfgang Petersen and Actor Jürgen Prochnow. The three guide viewers through the director's cut of the film, the track recorded 16 years after the film's release. The track never loses steam despite its massive length; the discussion begins surrounding a shot that has never pleased Petersen, setting a nice, honest tone for the comments surrounding this powerful and historically important film. Discussions also include added footage, shooting procedures, filming locations and the history behind them, shooting the film in sequence to allow for the men's wear and tear and fatigue and beard growth to appear as natural as possible, the performances of the cast and what they've done since the film, and much more. The bulk of the commentary, it seems, revolves around the technical aspects of the making of the film and the edits and added and subtracted scenes. Much like the movie, the track never drags despite its length; fans will enjoy this comprehensive insight into all things Das Boot.

• All extras subtitled : CHI, DUT, ENG, FRE, ITA, POR, SPA