Das Boot

This week I saw a video essay suggesting there are no truly ‘anti-war films’, because supposedly the fact they are entertaining means the viewer enjoys war. That is a ridiculously simplistic view anyway, but even if there was any truth in it, it would surely be disproved by Das Boot. Finally got round to sitting down to the Director’s Cut and it really is fucking good, but it is NEVER fun. (okay it’s pretty fun when they sing ‘that Tipperary song’) 3.5 hours of pure hopelessness, claustrophobia and tension, as we watch a man try to protect a boat full of boys, knowing throughout that they don’t even stand a chance. Somehow feels patient and drawn out to emulate the constant dread of life on a u-boat, while constantly being frantic enough to keep you fully engaged. And it’s not even like there’s much focus on their ‘hunt’ for allied freighters - over the whole film they only attack once, and far more emphasis is subsequently put on the fact that there is no victory in war. There is only death for the common people who are so quickly disregarded by their governments. Helps put that it looks gorgeous. Submarine movies always have the red/blue juice, but there are a couple of tracking shots through the boat that blew me away - the level of detail is through the roof on every level, making for one of, if not the very most authentic war film I’ve seen. [IMPLIED SPOILERS:] I’ve seen people suggest the ending is emotionally manipulative, but for me this just isn’t the case - the entire project feels so personally attached to the bitterness of an entire generation of Germans, that any other conclusion would seem out of place.