Das Boot is relatively famous, that's true, but it's also garnered something of a reputation as a "boring, overtly long foreign movie," which isn't exactly fair. Whilst it's true that Das Boot is on the long side and happens to be of the German kind, it's also one of the best and most claustrophobic war films ever made... and its length of three hours is entirely justified, only serving to enhance the tense and insanely dramatic nature of the flick. So although Das Boot has still managed to find its way into the Top 250, it still tends to be one of those movies that even the most dedicated film buffs put off for as long as possible. All you need, of course, is a Sunday afternoon, and you'll be granted with one of the war genre's most realistic and gripping movies. Trust all: all four of its hours will fly by (if you're watching the Director's Cut), though there is a 149 minute version if you'd prefer.
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
