[JAKraig]

I was a submarine sailor in the 60's. When I saw Das Boot it brought it all back. I saw both the German version with subtitles and the English voice over version. Both are wonderful.

This was the only realistic submarine movie I have ever seen. There have been other very good movies but none of them give you the feeling of the cramped quarters that Das Boot does. I did not remember it being that long.

[jonascord]

The initial American release was MASSIVELY edited down to only about 2 1/2 hours long, because us Americans do not have the attention span required for a European movie.

(Actually, it's the theater owners who demand a 2 hour movie, so they can jam more showings into a day)

[Tijeras_Slim]

My uncle was on diesel boats in the 50's and early 60's and he said he could almost smell the boat again watching Das Boot.

[Hostage]

The actors were actually kept inside without any sunshine for weeks and weeks. It gave them a pale oily pallor to their skin. He also kept them from sleep so they developed red eye and bags under their eyes.

Those are just two details among thousands of the details the director took the film towards realism.

That's why the film appeals to those that have served in like conditions.