Das Boot (TV Miniseries) Review: The Longer, Deeper Dive

Sophia Harris
TV ShowsWarDrama
Das Boot (TV Miniseries) (1985)

9/10 — Das Boot (TV Miniseries) (1985)

Pros

  • More character depth
  • Tense atmosphere
  • Excellent sound design

Cons

  • Slow
  • Long

The miniseries version of Wolfgang Petersen’s film runs around five hours and expands the story of a German U-boat crew in the Atlantic in 1941. It adds character depth and scenes lost from the cinema cut.

What works

The extra time lets us know the crew, and the long stretches of tedium make the moments of terror hit harder. The sound design and claustrophobic cinematography remain astonishing.

Where it falters

It’s long, and the slow pace will test patience. Some added scenes slow things down.

Verdict

A rewarding extended version for those who want more.

Sophia HarrisBy Sophia Harris