The Theme of Failure as Presented in Das Boot :: Das Boot Essays

The Theme of Failure as Presented in mouse h atomic number 18 stir When Das Boot was first-class honours degree released in the United States, its running time was 145 minutes, and it won great audiences and no less that six Oscar nominations-unheard of for a foreign film. The genius of Wolfgang Petersens Das Boot is that to Americans it is considered a foreign film indeed not all in the sense that the film is from Germany, but because the film offers a ludicrous perspective of World War Two, the German perspective. This point of view allows American audiences to walk away from theaters and be impacted by themes which are putting surface in the cinematic industry. However, because the film is the story of a German submarine, the exploit is different than anything American audiences have previously experienced. One of these themes is failure. Das Boot presents German forces as being able to overcome failure in a victorious manner, while the Allies are shown to be a rather uns uccessful military force. The Captain of the U-boat serves as a symbol for German warfare. He is first introduced in his full uniform, this instant it is known this man is a figure of authority. In the films chaotic possibility scene, he is one of the few sober soldiers at the bar, illustrating that he is in control at all times. While many are frighten when he pushes the boat twice beyond the recommended depth to test its sturdiness, no one challenges his decision. He is stern, powerful, and respected. As Roger Ebert writes about a scene later on in the film Hes capable of shouting I demand proper reports eve as the boat seems to be breaking up. On several do while under attack from depth charges, only the veteran Captains intimacy is the only thing which keeps the sailors of U-96 from the grave. Because the Captain serves as a human bear on to Germanys war effort, his characterization shows Germanys relative success in the war. When the Captain is triumphant, so too is Ger many. Under no circumstances can the men onboard the U-96 fail. They are literally trapped in the boat, and all mistakes quickly lead to the identical fatal end. Whether the Captain mistakenly surfaces and has the periscope spotted by an enemy ship, or Johan abandons his post in the engine room, the consequence each time is disastrous. either sailor on the boat depends on one another to effect his duties satisfactorily.