Das Boot

What do you know. Christmas in La Rochelle.

- Real girls in our Christmas stockings. - The sweet telephone operators.

- The sexy newsgirls. - We'll fuck our brains out.

A nice, slow, afternoon fuck.

- Now hear this. - The master's voice.

La Rochelle's out.

We've got a new port of destination.

La Spezia.

That's in the Mediterranean, as you know.

First, we'll pick up fuel and supplies at Vigo.

That's in Spain. Over.

Shit.

They must be crazy.

- What a dirty, rotten trick. - There goes our Christmas stocking.

No sexy little newsgirls. No whores.

I'd like to kill those morons!

Christmas in macaroni land, I've wished for that.

We've got to get there first, to get to them!

- Why? - Why? Gibraltar!

You can figure out what that means!

That's as narrow as a virgin.

If you want to get through that, we need to cover our boat with Vaseline.

Securing Rommel's supply routes, that's our official job.

They're losing Africa. We're called to the rescue.

It's insane.

We haven't enough U-boats in the Atlantic as it is.

Mediterranean.

It's madness.

It's swarming with English combat ships.

Werner, stand by.

Zero...

25 degrees, 43.3 minutes.

Gibraltar.

It's the best chance to get ourselves killed.

When we reach Vigo, you go ashore, Lieutenant Werner. You and the chief.

But, sir...

I've already made the decision.

I've got to find me a replacement for the chief.

Our agents will smuggle you out of Spain somehow.

Dressed up as Gypsies, for instance.

- But, captain, I thought I'd be going... - No heroism.

It's all been settled.

It's easier to get two of you out.

Our agents will smuggle you out of Spain somehow.

The chief needs a break.

He must get home.

I understand, sir.

The silence on board is oppressive.

Each man isolated by an inner struggle to overcome his disappointment.

But most of all, his fear.

Supplies in Vigo? But that's not possible.

It's not up to you to worry about it.

But Spain is neutral.

You're pretty smart. They should have asked you first.

Tough break.

When we reach Vigo, it's goodbye.

Together with the chief.

The captain's ordered it.

So...

I could deliver your mail for you.

Yeah.

There's quite a bunch of them here.

Well, it's quite a romance, isn't it?

Vigo, Spain.

Peacetime city...

in a neutral country.

They won't be too happy about our presence.

Tuesday, 64th day.

My longing for the sight of dry land is so overwhelming...

sometimes I think I can actually smell it. Only 24 hours to go.

Equalize.

Guess how long I've been wearing this shirt.

- Since we sailed. - No, three weeks before that.

Pipe down.

- Switch to white light. - Hurry up with that gear.

Quiet, man!

All ahead one-third. Left 10 degrees, rudder.

All ahead one-third. Left 10 degrees, rudder.

All ahead one-third. Left 10 degrees, rudder.

Can you see the klieg lights?

On the port bow, double and triple flashes, wide.

There, navigation lights...

a fishing boat. She won't spot us.

Traffic's pretty heavy around here.

We'd better make sure we don't run anyone down.

Right, Kriechbaum?

That's a new one.

Right.

Keep a check on water depth.

Twenty-six metres.

- Lieutenant. - 26.5 metres.

- Thank you. - Twenty-six metres. Constant.

Now we just have to find this little barge.

SS Weser.

German merchant ship. She's got herself interned here.

With a bellyful of torpedoes, fuel and supplies.

- And that's all for us, Kriechbaum. - Yeah, first-class service.

Starboard beam, is it a customs launch?

No, fishing trawler.

- There. - Where?

Over there, sir.

Signaling an A, a code for us to approach.

Both engines ahead two-thirds. Left 5 degrees, rudder.

Both engines ahead two-thirds. Left 5 degrees, rudder.

We arrived.

Port engine stop.

Officers to bridge.

Gentlemen.

Three cheers for our brave U-boat men.

- Sieg... - Heil.

- Sieg... - Heil!

- Sieg... - Heil!

Welcome, captain lieutenant.

No, no. Please.

This is...

- This is our commander. - My apologies, sir. I...

A pleasure to have you aboard the Weser, captain lieutenant.

A hero.

I'm delighted to be so honoured.

Gentlemen, here they stand...

our heroes of the deep.

The Grey Wolves.

Our humble ship is honoured...

by the momentous occasion such as this is.

Captain, lead the way.

- Welcome aboard. - Nice tugboat you got here.

Looking forward to meeting you.

So here we are, captain.

We've done what we can in our modest way. I hope it's to your taste.

Quite a table. Just like home.

Fresh bread, cakes from the ship's bakery...

belly of pork, fresh sausage, slaughtered today, of course.

Well, we're waiting to hear your news.

Can't imagine what it means to us.

It isn't easy here. Despite what people say, it's very frustrating.

Sure, there's plenty to eat. Fuel supply's no problem.

Torpedoes are tricky, though. Very tricky. Never mind.

You're all set up.

The Spaniards tolerate us, but you couldn't call them enthusiastic.

Christmas cake.

Now, tell us...

how many ships have you sunk? Now, let's see. I guess about...

Oh, champagne. How forgetful of me.

Take a glass.

Gentlemen, raise your glasses.

Drink to our heroes.

We're proud of you.

To the German U-boats service and to our beloved... -

Oh, yes. We're not exactly at home, if you understand what I mean.

Toast. All the best.

Cheers.

And now, plenty for everyone. Come on.

- Okay. Let's get down to business. - Yes, come along.

Yes, now, tell us all about it, captain. Continue.

I'm bursting with curiosity.

Those are fresh figs.

Fresh figs.

Never had one.

Keep quiet.

This time, we very nearly had it.

Phenomenal.

See, gentlemen, that's the stuff heroes are made of.

There's no other word for it except "phenomenal."

Come on, captain, I want to hear more. Here, give me your plate.

Herring salad, another specialty of our chef.

You have to try it.

His mother's recipe.

Yes, and so...

what's it like to be underwater?

To be submerged...

while overhead, the enemy lies in wait.

It's dark.

- Dark? - Yes, and very quiet.

Just as long as no one farts.

- Why is that? - Well, as long as no one...

I can explain. Our Number Two means...

at silent speed, the men must always exercise discipline.

And that's why you're forbidden to fart, yes?

Captain?

Herr Seewald, we've been expecting you.

Captain, over here.

Heil, Hitler.

Representative of our naval attaché here.

Heil, Hitler, captain.

I brought some communications from Berlin.

First, the documents for the breakthrough.

And then...

this cable came.

Chief. Lieutenant Werner.

We are going for a little fresh air.

- Well, Seewald, what's happening? - Bad news.

Headquarters say no. Our request has been denied, chief.

There's no replacement. You stay too, Werner.

I'm sorry.

I guess it's just as well.

Who knows what kind of idiot they'd have sent you.

One of those new found warriors who's all wind and smoke.

Could be right.

I've never been to the Mediterranean. They say the climate is supposed to be...

No heroic pretence, Mr. Werner. You don't know what that means.