Das Boot, German for 'The Boat', is a movie by Wolfgang Peterson.  Set during the second world war, it tells the story of lives of the captain and crew of the U-96, told from the perspective of Lieutenant Werner, a war correspondent assigned to the U-96. The movie reveals, right at the beginning, the presence of two distinct factions within the German ranks. The first is the experienced and embittered senior members, led by Captain Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock aka 'Der Alte', who are disillusioned with the war in general and Hitler in particular, but are still too afraid to openly voice their opinions.  The other faction is comprised of newer recruits, many of them who have never seen real battle and are ignorant of the perils in store for them.  These 'greenhorns' are the ones who are more influenced by the propaganda put out by Hitler and Goebbels as they haven't really experienced the harsh realities of war, first-hand.

Werner, the war correspondent, is initially very upbeat and enthusiastic, but he is shocked when an unidentified frustrated submarine mechanic throws a grease-soaked rag at his face.  That, however, is far from the last unpleasant experience he faces on board the U-96. When a lone British destroyer which was being targeted by the U-96 goes on the offensive instead, tables are quickly turned and Werner becomes aware for the first time, the real dangers of life on submarines during wartime. While the crew of the U-96 looked forward to sinking as many ships as they could, they were anything but bloodthirsty individuals. One of the most horrifying realities of war is that humans are supposed to kill other humans, without feeling guilty about it.  When the U-96 crew spot survivors leaping to their deaths from the burning deck of a ship they torpedoed, all the U-96 crew members, including Der Alte, are deeply disturbed.

When U-96 pulls into Vigo, Spain, for a clandestine resupplying stop, we get to see the huge contrast between the lifestyles of the submariners and the crew on their host vessel, who evidently have some manner of political clout. The sycophants live lives of luxury while the real heroes are completely ignored and subject to continually harsher treatment. They endure incredible hardship and overcome mind-boggling difficulties and in the end die, trying to protect their fatherland.

At the end of the movie, one can't help but feel for the German submariners, but wait: are we really feeling sorry for the people who committed some of the worst war crimes the world has witnessed? No.  One has to realize that the soldiers on the front-lines have little in common with the ones who declare wars, sign treaties and pin medals onto the shawls of war widows. The latter are the ones who scheme their dastardly plans and while the former are expected to sacrifice their lives for the 'greater good'.  For each soldier who has misused his powers, there are several who have had immaculate records and have often ended up making the ultimate sacrifice for causes they have defended. Hitler did not put a bullet into his head out of remorse: he only did so to avoid facing the fate his friend and ally Mussolini ultimately faced. His death didn't right any wrongs, but the real questions to be answered are these: Were there truly brave and honest people who fought for the 'bad ones'? Yes. Were their deaths any less tragic, just because they were fighting for the 'wrong side'? No. All war is futile.  This, is what I feel, is conveyed by `Das Boot'.