Das Boot is a German television series produced for Sky One and a sequel to Das Boot. Like the original film, the series is based on Lothar-Günther Buchheim's 1973 book Das Boot, but with additions from Buchheim's 1995 sequel Die Festung. As the original film's plot ends in December 1941, the series' setting takes place nine months later, in 1942. The storyline is split into two narratives, one based on land around the French Resistance, the other set around German U-boat and its crew.
Plot
The series, set in 1942, focus on the narratives of the upcoming Resistance in La Rochelle and the claustrophobic life aboard.
In June 2015, it was announced that a television series adaptation based on the 1981 World War IIsubmarine warfare film Das Boot would be made. In July 2016, it was announced that it would be a sequel in the form of an 8-part television series, directed by Andreas Prochaska. The series would be produced by Bavaria Fiction, Sky Deutschland, and Sonar Entertainment. The cast for the series was announced in September 2017. Production began in November 2017 and ended in July 2018. Malta, Germany, France, and Czech Republic were chosen for the location shooting, which started on 31 August 2017 and finished after 105 days on 20 February 2018. The budget was $32.8 million. Like the original film, the series is based on Lothar-Günther Buchheim's 1973 book Das Boot, but with additions from Buchheim's 1995 sequel Die Festung. The submarine used in filming the series was the non-diving replica built in Malta as the 'modified' S-33 for the film U-571, also shot in Malta. Footage, sets and models from that movie have been reused for other productions, including Submerged, depicting the loss of, and the fictional HMS Scorpion in Ghostboat. The replica is still afloat, moored at Cassar ship repair yard, Marsa in the inner part of the Grand Harbour. A special rig was built for the production by a Maltese armoury team, that allowed the submarine's anti-aircraft gun to both fire and recoil, something not done before with a blank-firing gun. The series premiered on 23 November 2018 on Sky One in Germany. The broadcast rights were sold into more than 100 countries before the series premiered. The series was broadcast on Sky Atlantic in the United Kingdom in February 2019. The series made its United States premiere through Hulu on 17 June 2019. In December 2018, plans for a second season were announced. Filming for season 2 took place in the Czech Republic April - June 2019, and June - July 2019 in Malta. Clemens Schick, Thomas Kretschmann, Michael McElhatton and Ulrich Matthes joined the cast for the second season.
Critical reception
Season 1 is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, with an overall rating of 84%. The Critics Consensus reads, "Das Boot possesses the atmospheric pressure of its cinematic forebear while adding new depth to its compelling ensemble, making for a riveting international production."
