

Das Boot
Based on an autobiographical novel by German World War II photographer Lothar-Guenther Buchheim, Das Boot follows the lives of a fearless U-Boat captain (Jurgen Prochnow) and his inexperienced crew as they patrol the Atlantic and Mediterranean in search of Allied vessels, taking turns as hunter and prey.
Overview
Based on an autobiographical novel by German World War II photographer Lothar-Guenther Buchheim, Das Boot follows the lives of a fearless U-Boat captain (Jurgen Prochnow) and his inexperienced crew as they patrol the Atlantic and Mediterranean in search of Allied vessels, taking turns as hunter and prey.
Edward R. Pressman
Creator / EP
Episodes

1. Operation Atlantic
Autumn 1941. The crew of the U 96 celebrates its last day on land in La Rochelle, France. The exuberance of the men is nothing more than the fear of the next mission, which could be the last. War correspondent Lieutenant Werner does not understand the apparent cheerfulness, as he does not yet know the pitiless harshness of the war in a cramped submarine.

2. On Search Course
The U 96 crew has been running on patrol south-west of Ireland for days. Monotony, inactivity, and boredom on board are transformed into aggression. A message about a convoy changes the mood of the crew. The "old man" risks a periscope attack. Surprisingly, a destroyer emerges, which hunts the submarine with depth charges...

3. The First Attack
For almost four weeks, the submarine is traveling south-west of Ireland and is held underwater by a destroyer during its first attack on an English convoy. Exploding depth charges hurl the crew and submarine into chaos. But the "old man" succeeds in maneuvering U 96 out of the danger zone. Subsequently, the submarine gets into a storm period lasting more than three weeks.
Cast & Crew

Jürgen Prochnow
Der Alte

Herbert Grönemeyer
Leutnant Werner

Klaus Wennemann
Leitender Ingenieur

Hubertus Bengsch
Erster Wachoffizier

Martin Semmelrogge
Zweiter Wachoffizier

Bernd Tauber
Obersteuermann




