DVD Picks

Pick of the Week

Das Boot

War drama; rated R for war violence and language; Blu-ray reissue

The Gist: Desperate crew members in a World War II German U-boat rage against storms, enemy ships, depth charges, claustrophobia and the mad machine of war.

The Lowdown: One of the most harrowing and suspenseful movies ever made, "Das Boot" ("The Boat") remains a crowning achievement of German cinema.

Director Wolfgang Petersen invented about a half-dozen film techniques to ensure realism and immerse the viewer in his underwater hell. Interior shots were filmed in a re-created U-boat cylinder using a miniaturized camera rig. The film was shot in sequence over a year, with the actors spending months below decks and - reportedly - losing their minds.

The Extras: This two-disc Blu-ray Collector's Set features the 149-minute and the extended 208-minute director's cut, commentary track with Petersen and lead actor Jurgen Prochnow, nine production mini-features, two historical docs and an English language dub. (Go with the subtitles instead.)

The Bottom Line: One of the best war movies, and the single greatest submarine movie ever made, in a worthwhile Blu-ray set.

Double Secret Bonus Tip: The script was originally intended to be a U.S. production, with Paul Newman attached as the lead.

Triple Secret Bonus Tip: Steven Spielberg borrowed portions of the "Das Boot" submarine set for "Raiders of the Lost Ark."