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Blu-ray: DAS BOOT (1981)

Das Boot

Read my DAS BOOT review.

This Blu-ray release of Wolfgang Petersen's classic war film gives fans both the 149-minute theatrical cut and the 208-minute director's cut. Both films are put on individual 50G discs. Understandably, the shorter film fares better when it comes compression issues. The theatrical cut, overall, has more sharpness in the fine details compared to the longer version. In both versions, the color palette seems muted at times even for a picture shot on film. Some color banding, less-than-solid black levels and soft and/or grainy images pop up in the release, but are never prevalent. But for a 30-year-old film, it still looks the best it ever has in the home.

As for the sound, the director's cut has a DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack, while the theatrical cut is DTS-HD MA 2.0 lossless. In the director's cut, the soundtrack really kicks into superior mode once the action moves to the sub. The early party scenes are less than impressive with limited ambience. But the ambience of the ship is spectacular from bombastic LFE track flourishes to the subtle drips of water and ping of the sonar. Dialogue, music and sound effects are mixed perfectly, with one element never overpowering another. One feels like they are sailing along with the sailor as the water pressure rises.

The disc contains a host of quality special features. Petersen's commentary track gives a great perspective into his mindset regarding finding the right balance between the 2 1/2 hour theatrical cut and the six-hour TV miniseries to create his 3 1/2 hour director's cut. He dives into detail about shot strategy and editing. He also has a chance to point out things he wishes he could have changed in a perfect world and share some trivia about the production. I never knew that the sub in the film is the same one used in RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK. It is really a great look at the storytelling process of a director.

The extensive doc "Wolfgang Petersen: Back to the Boat" brings Petersen back together with many of the artists that worked on the production to tour the sub they created for the film. When it comes to definitive making of docs this is one of them. It does a great job of giving insight into the production both practically and artistically. Partnered with the original "Behind the Scenes" doc from 1981, fans of the film get the entire picture of the challenges of making a film set in such a confined space.

"Going Deeper" is made up of two shorter featurettes. "Maria's Take" has Maria Petersen, Wolfgang's wife and first assistant director, gives her memories of the DAS BOOT experience. It is interesting to see the experience of a first AD and the director's wife on a tough shoot. The experience did change her thoughts on the film biz. "The Perfect Boat" looks at how the director's cut came about and the great challenges they had to overcome. It's ironic that a submarine's soundtrack reel ended up under water, literally.

"The Battle of the Atlantic" is a German documentary chronicling the oceanic war between Germany and Britain.

"Captain's Tour" has the film's star Jurgen Prochnow taking the viewer through a tour of 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.

Rick DeMott's picture

Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks