'Absolute masterpiece' war film branded 'best ever made' by Amazon Prime viewers

War fanatics have flocked to praise another film they have branded an "absolute masterpiece". Set during World War II, Das Boot follows the crew of the German submarine U-96 as they embark on a perilous patrol during the Battle of the Atlantic. The 1981 West German thriller is based on the novel of the same name by Lothar-Günther Buchheim, who documented his own experiences as a war correspondent on U-boat submarines.

The Battle of the Atlantic saw U-boats and other warships of the Germany navy pitted against its enemies, including the Royal Navy, the Royal Canadian Navy and the United States Navy. The longest continuous military campaign, The Battle of the Atlantic ran from the beginning of the war in 1939 to 1945, when Nazi Germany were defeated. Directed by Wolfgang Petersen, Das Boot intricately juxtaposes the heightened emotions of warfare against the boredom of the hunt, showcasing the men on board as ordinary people who want to fight for their country.

The film stars Jürgen Prochnow, Herbert Grönemeyer, Klaus Wennemann and Hubertus Bengsch. According to Reddit, Das Boot is one of the only films where the original cast members recorded their lines in English as they were bilingual.

Das Boot received highly positive reviews upon its release and was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Director, Best Cinematography and Best Sound.

The film has also been released as a TV miniseries in its original uncut version. Das Boot is available to watch through BFI Player on Amazon Prime. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 98%, it's no surprise the film has been highly praised online.

One declared: "Das Boot 1981, probably the best war film ever made. A cloistered, claustrophobic nightmare drenched in sweat, filth, and the thick miasma of death. No heroes, no glory; only men desperate to survive entombed in a prison of water. Incredible 10/10."

Another agreed: "Much as I love the heroic nonsense of films such as 'Where Eagles Dare' 'Das Boot' is for me the best war / anti war film ever made."

Also expressing their admiration for the film, a third penned: "Das Boot 1981. Probably the best war at sea film ever made. A gripping look at one U-Boat's voyage in the Atlantic in 1941."

Someone else echoed: "Das Boot is an absolute masterpiece. Totally agree. When it comes to appearance, many Germans, especially in the north, tend to have more Nordic features. People from regions like Lower Saxony, Westphalia, and Schleswig-Holstein often resemble Danes in terms of phenotype."

"The best war film is Das Boot btw," agreed another as a sixth posted: "Das Boot It's my #5 all time favourite movie. Best war film I've seen."

Another wrote: "Das Boot (1981) A claustrophobic masterpiece showing WWII from a German U-boat's perspective. Petersen's tense submarine drama humanizes the enemy's struggle."