tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714194946407218351.post1438900976175718630..comments2023-09-26T16:27:06.213+01:00Comments on (SF) 365: Thoughts on Das BootBrianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08599438136884665892noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714194946407218351.post-3100668983046980792018-04-08T04:54:34.149+01:002018-04-08T04:54:34.149+01:00What a great commentary! I enjoy this film immens...What a great commentary! I enjoy this film immensely, but like the author, have always hated the ending. I believe this to be one of, if not the, best war film ever made. It is obviously and honestly the best submarine movie ever made. The crew are certainly not portrayed as Nazi archetypes but as regular men doing their duty. The captain spews vitriol at the Nazi leadership, as does his friend Thomson (spelling), in the opening bar scene. We also see the captain never give the Nazi salute and you can see his disdain for the idiots on the boat at Vigo (again, spelling). He does live for the battle, but that is because he has been in the fight for a long time. It has become more of an addiction for him than serving any Nazi cause. The ending is a little improbable and really mean spirited. I don't personally believe these guys needed to "pay for their sins." If this is true, than all of the Allies that killed Axis forces should also have been killed. Like the old adage, "Two wrongs don't make a right." It would have been better to end where the captain is talking about making it back to LaRochelle and wondering if the engines last. At least the audience can then make up their own conclusion, rather than the heavy handed and mean one at the end. Listen, this is a phenomenal film, but I can never give it 5 out of 5, because of that ending. 4.5 is the best I can do with this one, and that is high praise coming from me. It sure as hell demolishes U571 and Crimson Tide in quality and thoughtfulness. Also, if you have never watched, I suggest starting with the Theatrical Cut and if you like it, move on to the Director's Cut; which is fantastic. I don't really want the uncut version, but I heartily enjoy the Director's Cut these days....that ending though.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08706215589058216998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714194946407218351.post-5310020760837163952015-03-09T04:54:42.493+00:002015-03-09T04:54:42.493+00:00Brilliant and thoughtful posting, as well as the c...Brilliant and thoughtful posting, as well as the comments; though i don't agree with all you say. Terrific movie to feast on intellectually. Thanks for this. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14886960297825114201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714194946407218351.post-44672489030124778122014-06-01T18:33:03.805+01:002014-06-01T18:33:03.805+01:00The ending is necessary because it serves to empha...The ending is necessary because it serves to emphasise the overall futility of the German cause. The crew may have cheated death at Gibraltar, but overall their mission was a failure, having only sunk a couple of ships and failed to reach La Spezia. The tragic finale doesn't detract from their achievements; as the film progresses we witness their transformation from a collection of idealistic braggarts to a finely honed unit capable of surviving against all odds. It does, however serve to reinforce the film's central point that, by 1941 the War in the Atlantic is unwinnable and there is nothing that the crew can do to change that.paul marfleethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15576913137773933693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2714194946407218351.post-60484106765011137762014-06-01T18:05:11.131+01:002014-06-01T18:05:11.131+01:00They never reach La Spezia. After resurfacing at G...They never reach La Spezia. After resurfacing at Gibraltar, the captain abandons his attempt to get through the straits and returns the boat to La Rochelle. This is where the air raid occurs.paul marfleethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15576913137773933693noreply@blogger.com