Das Boot TV Series (2018)

About Das Boot

Das Boot, a German television series, is a sequel to the 1981 movie of the same name. It is based on Lothar-Günther Buchheim's 1973 novel "Das Boot," as well as his 1995 sequel "Die Festung." The storyline embarks in the Autumn of 1942, at a time when submarine warfare was becoming brutally intense. The plot has two primary narratives, one set on the U-boat, and the other focused on the resistance movement in La Rochelle.

Making / Production

The series was produced by Bavaria Fiction, Sky Deutschland, and Sonar Entertainment. It was filmed in Munich, Prague, and La Rochelle. Tony Saint and Johannes W. Betz, the scriptwriters, worked intensely to deliver a production that was a blend of historical references and creative fiction.

Actors

• Rick Okon played 'Kapitänleutnant Klaus Hoffmann,' a character plagued with numerous uncertainties and personal tenets while navigating the presidency of war.
• Vicky Krieps as 'Simone Strasser,' a translator caught between loyalty to her country and the rising resistance.
• Robert Stadlober played 'Pvte. Hinrich Laudrup', who is the radio operator onboard U-612.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The series is not just about submarine warfare, but also explores the French Resistance during World War II.
• The periscope seen in U-612 was borrowed from the original movie "Das Boot" of 1981.

Awards

The series has won several awards. The most notable one is the "Best Drama" award at the C21 International Drama Awards in 2019, along with numerous regional German television and film industry awards.

Quotes

• "This boat is cursed." - Klaus Hoffman
• "The English pack a punch." - Pvte. Hinrich Laudrup

Music, Soundtrack

• Matthias Weber composed the original score, helping to build suspense throughout the series.
• The theme song "La Mer" by Charles Trénet takes on an eerie and haunting twist.
• The soundtrack effectively uses classic music from the period, adding another layer of historical accuracy to the series.