Original subtitles

Alarm! Alarm!

Alarm!

Cycle the vents.

Clear the bridge.

- Get down. - Get out of my way!

Hurry! Go, go, go!

Hurry!

Hurry!

Don't stand around, work the pumps!

Hurry! I said, hurry!

Hurry up!

Close conning tower hatch!

The Captain has gone overboard!

Three zero meters!

All hands forward!

Come on!

Hurry!

Hurry! Go, go, go, go!

Faster! Hurry!

Come on. Go, go, go. Faster!

Propeller noises!

Slow speed ahead!

Take her down! One two zero meters!

Full down on the bow planes. Ten degrees down on the stern planes.

Bearing!

Propeller noises in one-one-zero.

Approaching.

Probably a destroyer.

Take her down, Chief! Take her down!

Full down on the bow planes. Zero degrees on the stern planes.

Depth charges!

All compartments report damage.

Pump out bilges.

Hold this depth!

Silent running!

Second propeller noises in three five zero.

Approaching!

Depth charges!

Dozens!

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in...

Documents!

Just a second, please.

Here you go.

Where are you traveling to?

To La Rochelle.

- Heil Hitler. - Heil Hitler.

Documents.

Documents.

Simone Strasser?

Yes. Margot Bostal?

The door is open. First floor.

Thanks.

Blame the Germans.

They billeted you with me.

No smoking. No men allowed in the room.

I expect you to be tidy.

Me too.

I brought you something.

Soap from Paris.

Thanks.

Where did you learn to speak such good French?

I'm from Alsace.

If one of us is at home, the door stays unlocked. If not, lock it twice.

I have to go to work.

Which hospital are you working at?

There's just the one, around the corner.

If you're hungry there's some bread in the kitchen.

Thanks.

In summation, the actions of the accused Petty Officer, Joachim Weißgerber,

amount to an act of cowardice in the face of the enemy.

And this is a sworn statement

in your capacity as First Watch Officer on the mission in question?

Correct.

Then the case against the accused has been

clearly made by an officer.

Do you have anything to say?

We were under attack.

They say that's...

when your training will kick in.

But that didn't happen. Not for me.

We came under attack and I... I hid.

I failed myself and my crew mates.

I disappointed them and I'm sorry.

Your cowardly behavior is in direct opposition

to our fight for the final victory.

The regulations of the German Navy are unambiguous.

You are thereby sentenced...

to death by firing squad.

Court is adjourned.

Captain Hoffmann, may I also take this opportunity

to publicly congratulate you on your promotion to CO.

Your father must be very proud.

Congratulations!

Thanks!

- Simone! - Frank!

Get a room.

She's my big sister.

Idiot!

I missed you so much.

Missed you too.

How are you?

Fine!

They moved the transfer forward.

I thought I'd surprise you.

And you?

You look tired.

Well, lots to do.

- Come on! I'll show you around. - Yes.

Amazing!

It is indeed.

It's so... huge!

Yeah, seven moorings and those three are soon to be put into service.

But the roof is made of reinforced concrete.

And seven meters thick.

It's hard for me to imagine it.

What's it like to be on board a U-boat? Deep down below?

Forty guys, no shower, one shitter. You want to know more?

This one sails tomorrow.

Is something wrong?

Did I say something?

No.

Things are just difficult at the moment.

It's not important. Forget it.

Really.

I...

I have to report in at Headquarters.

Pick me up later and we'll have dinner together.

What time?

I get off duty at 7:00 p.m.

Okay.

Simone...

I am really happy that you're here.

I'm very happy, too.

See you later.

Eleven U-boats. This month alone.

You think the English are listening in?

I don't think so. No.

Enigma is the safest cipher machine in the world.

Besides, it's twelve missing boats now. Look.

U-113 is missing? Wrangel?

Their last radio contact was more than three weeks ago.

Fuck!

The production of new boats is running at full speed.

The problem lies more with recruiting new crews.

Soon, we'll only be able to fall back on rookies

or war-worn veterans.

Yes, come in!

Hoffmann!

Reporting for duty, Commander.

Allow me to introduce Criminal Inspector Forster

from the Gestapo.

Pleased to meet you.

Criminal Inspector, this is Captain Hoffmann.

Ah! Are you related to that Hoffmann?

I am his son. Yes.

So, you're commanding one of the new boats?

Brand new Captain, brand new boat.

And the crew has been newly constituted.

In my opinion the ideal blend of

many years of experience and young enthusiasm.

Your log book.

This is where your heroic story will be recorded.

Hey, hey!

Why is this taking so long?

It's not that easy.

Hurry up, man!

Why are we doing this so late?

I'll tell you. Because the ships aren't put together correctly in Kiel anymore.

And why? Because of cheap foreign labor.

And this mess is the result.

By the way, thank you for putting in a word on my behalf.

Your fitness for service was never in doubt.

We need solid men like you.

Good to have you back, Chief.

Good to be busy.

Departure on schedule, Second Watch Officer?

Some electrical malfunction in the radio room.

You'll inform the Captain?

When I see him.

Sir, I speak for the whole crew in saying that

when the day comes, you'll make an excellent Captain...

Leave it!

I was asked to bring this.

Yes, I'd be pleased to meet up with you next week again.

- Commander Gluck? - Yes.

May I introduce you to Simone Strasser,

the new translator.

Pleased to meet you.

Likewise.

- You're French. - No. German.

Really? May I?

When I was born, Alsace was German. And now it's German again.

And the 22 years in between we'll just forget?

Maybe you should ask my brother that.

Why your brother?

Petty Officer Radio Frank Strasser.

Four war tours. Injured in the line of duty. Holder of the U-Boat War Badge.

Not bad for a Frenchman, isn't it?

Touché!

Welcome, Miss Strasser.

My adjutant will show you to your station.

Follow me, please.

Hurry up, boys! Make sure you spread the load according to the stowage plan.

Got to keep the boat perfectly balanced! At all times.

Veer away.

Veer away!

Veer away!

Veer away!

Ralf Grothe, Petty Officer Electrician. Just transferred in.

Pips, diesel engine.

Turn it off!

Where are you from?

Windhoek.

Africa, really?

Have you ever fucked a Negress?

Yep.

Really?

Yep. Really!

At the crossing of Rue Pernelle and Rue Aufredi. Behind the church.

A woman.

When?

Tonight. Shortly before 10:00 p.m.

Be on time. Give her what was agreed and take what you asked for in return.

It's a bad time.

Could you move the meeting? To another day?

How do you think it works?

I'm just the messenger. They set the rules.

I am sure this is difficult to accept for a German.

Do it or the deal's off.

Goodbye, Monsieur.

How old are you?

Seventeen years. Two months. Six days.

Kiss my ass. We've got a baby on board!

Don't worry, Thorsten. We'll look after you!

Right lads!

Let's slide it into that tight little hole.

That's what I will do with my cock tonight.

Yours is just not as big, right?

The holes are neither.

Shut the fuck up and do your job.

Release the safety.

- Safety's off! - Move it!

- Secure it! - Secured!

Okay, forwards!

Give way!

Herrmann, take a sip.

Got it from that mad farmer. 60 proof.

That will just make you go blind.

Peter!

Take a sip!

No thanks.

So, how are we doing?

Weapons are all accounted for.

Lock and secure weapon box.

Aye!

Latest weather report?

Heavy mist coming in tonight, but stiff north-westerly winds.

I think it'll clear by morning.

All torpedoes checked and loaded, Sir.

Good to see you again.

Likewise, Josef.

Report for duty at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow.

Ah, and the cook got something for you.

Great!

Upwards!

Engines are running smoothly. Puts me in a good mood!

The Captain shown up yet?

He doesn't have to.

It's my duty to prepare the boat.

What? Just the one? What if I want to do it again?

Then don't take it off.

Don't lose it. You're going to need it.

Against infection.

Knew a guy once, helmsman on U-491, unfortunately already dead.

He caught something the night before he sailed.

Itching got so bad, he took my cheese-grater to it.

No, really?

True story!

Something you need to know, killer. It's bad luck to take a virgin on board.

You have to blow your load tonight, for good luck!

Come on lads.

Let's christen the boat.

They've got to break. Or else it's bad luck.

- Prepare soundings! - Prepare soundings!

Soundings!

Soundings! In zero!

Move! I'll do it.

Holy shit!

Fire extinguisher!

I came to apologize to you.

Maybe I was wrong.

Maybe you shouldn't have made a statement.

I felt better once I admitted it.

That I am not a hero.

If the boat had been sunk...

nobody would know, right?

No one would know whose fault it was.

If that boat had gone down...

then I'd have died a hero.

Will you come?

Tomorrow morning?

Of course.

Is there anything I can do for you?

That's my mother's address.

Could you write to her...

that I took it like a man?

It'll have to be rebuilt from scratch.

I need new parts for this. It'll take at least 24 hours.

You'll do it tonight.

Sir, that's impo...

Give Müller a list of your requirements.

He will also retrieve your personal effects.

My effects?

You are being assigned to the radio room of U-612 for this war cruise.

With immediate effect.

With permission, Sir,

isn't there anybody else who could go?

The assigned Petty Officer Radio is in the hospital with severe burns.

Your orders are to replace him.

Or should I have you arrested for refusal to serve?

No! No.

Good.

Tell him the location of your dormitory.

This boat will sail tomorrow on time.

With you and a functioning radio.

Sir, if I might request.

Would it be possible that my sister would bring my effects?

She just arrived today.

She works for Captain Gluck.

It would help me with the work if she...

I'm sorry.

The radio operator is not to leave the boat.

A woman will bring his effects.

But...

Don't give me that superstitious nonsense.

Just make sure that she doesn't distract him from his work.

Have a nice evening.

And you.

Miss Strasser.

I haven't really introduced myself.

Criminal Inspector Forster.

Good evening.

Well...

Your first day and you're the last to leave.

No wonder your supervisor in Paris was so sorry to see you leave.

Oh. You must have read my file very carefully then.

I read all files. Bad habit.

I told Gluck that it would be a crime if you were wasted on mundane work.

Ah. Thank you so much.

Well, consider it my attempt at an apology.

For what?

For making you think that I would question your loyalty towards Germany.

Maybe my loyalty is so big because I grew up in Alsace

and because I could only admire Germany from a distance.

As a German I always felt like a stranger in France.

You won't feel like this here.

Miss Strasser?

- I apologize. - Yes?

It's about your brother.

Yes?

So that's what it feels like to fire a torpedo?

Feels like fucking?

That's right.

At least afterwards.

You son of a bitch! Stick it inside her!

Already have!

There he is! Come on, killer. Get her!

Your dick knows where to go!

I want one too.

Thank you.

Keep the change.

Thanks.

You are from La Rochelle?

Yes.

What's your name?

Nathalie.

That's nice... suits you.

A beer for my comrade.

Comrade.

That's what it's all about. Team spirit.

You've been upstairs?

For money?

Not really my style.

You're a faggot or what?

No. Why?

You speak French, you don't like to fuck...

Are you castrated?

Hey, why did you pick this one?

Ouch. I'd rather have a hooker in bed than a girl somewhere far away.

Cheers.

Are you still in?

Show me.

Nice game.

You fucking asshole. Cheating bastard!

Call the police!

Call the police!

"My deepest condolences on the passing of your son..."

Come in!

Captain, U-612 is ready for scheduled departure.

Any problems?

None.

A splendid boat.

I had wondered whether you'd like to join some of the men.

As is customary on these occasions.

We needn't be a slave to custom.

Other Captains have felt it benefits morale to make oneself visible.

I'm sure the men would prefer to do their drinking and whoring alone.

Wouldn't you? But we can have a drink together,

First Watch Officer.

Cognac?

Thank you.

HANDBOOK FOR U-BOAT CAPTAINS

Don't tell anyone, but I haven't finished reading it.

I was just trying to make sense of paragraph 15.

"During an attack, situations may develop which appear to be hopeless.

Only if the Captain, unrelenting towards himself,

conquers this feeling, will he succeed."

A key part of the text.

If the Captain really believes that a situation is hopeless...

should he risk the lives of his men?

Hopelessness is not a fact...

but a state of mind to be overcome.

The key element is "unrelenting towards himself".

How is your father?

I hope he's well.

He endures.

I first read his book as a young man.

It's been an inspiration throughout my career.

How long have you been in the forces?

Since '37.

I don't have your experience.

But you're in command.

The boat is yours.

Good night, Sir.

Frank?

Simone?

Frank?

They say you're sailing tomorrow.

Is that true?

Come with me.

Legs first.

I brought your records.

The records. Thanks.

I thought you'd miss them.

I am screwed.

I have to go. If not, I'll be court-martialed.

There's something I need you to do for me. Tonight.

Rue Pernelle 42.

At the corner to Rue Aufredi.

Behind the church.

Shortly before 10:00 p.m. a woman will show up. Give her this.

There's an envelope in there.

I get something from her in return.

Take it to my private apartment at this address.

Don't go there in uniform. Only in civvies.

Is it something illegal?

Tell me that it's nothing illegal!

It's about my life

about everything I have.

I'd do it myself if I...

Christ! What's up?

Sir!

Petty Officer Radio Frank Strasser. My sister Simone Strasser.

You know that women have no place on board, Petty Officer Strasser?

Pleased to meet you.

I just came to bring my brothers effects.

I've been assigned at short notice.

For repairs and the war cruise.

There was a fire in the radio room.

A fire?

Yes, this afternoon.

Simone. The Captain is right.

It's bad luck for a woman to be here.

Take care of yourself.

Legs first.

Can you fix this?

I think so.

Well then, see you tomorrow.

He said you were cheating.

I don't understand a word.

- Take him away. - Sir.

Sorry.

Do you have access to...

coffee... sugar... or cigarettes?

No.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM OF THE ON-BOARD RADIO-SET

Impossible.

I'm not asking for a pardon.

I'm asking you to suspend the death penalty.

Why didn't you speak up during the trial?

The opportunity didn't arise.

But I feel responsible.

And rightly so.

This man will be shot tomorrow because your statement condemned him.

As an officer and now a Captain,

you have to start living with that responsibility.

That is the power invested in you by the German Navy.

And what about my power to help him?

To save the life of a fellow crewman?

Hoffmann! Why would you question yourself in this way? Why now?

Because now I'm expected to command a crew

who probably think the only reason I've got promoted, is because...

Because?

Because I'm his son.

Because I'm supposed to live up to his myth. And not because of who I am.

What if I'm not the person everyone expects me to be?

Hoffmann, Germany needs you to be him. Precisely because of who you are!

And there's no room for self-doubt. Not if we want to end this war.

To end it?

This morning it was still about 'winning it.'

This boy dies tomorrow.

If it makes you understand who you need to be,

then his death will have meaning.

Who are you?

I am supposed to give you something. From Frank.

I don't know any Frank!

He sent me. I'm his sister.

You've got something for me?

You've got something for me! Give it to me!

Stop!

Police!

Stop!

Stop. We'll shoot.

Can't see them anymore.

There, there's another one. Stop at once.

Stop!

Stop.

What are you doing here?

Working.

This is the house of the Lord.

You can pray or confess your sins here.

Do you wish to confess your sins, Pierre?

Come with me.

Hurry!

Leave before even more police arrive.

Crew! Attention!

For the report to the Captain. Left face!

First Watch Officer Tennstedt reporting: Crew lined up for inspection.

At ease!

We are men of the sea.

That means that we have to confront not only the elements...

but the enemy.

Out there we're on our own.

Gentlemen.

This boat is brand new.

We will test it.

And it will test us.

And in that test be conscious of the man who stands alongside you.

As there's only one way we will prevail.

Together!

Take her out, First Watch Officer!

What kind of fucking speech was that?

Crew! Attention!

Harbor stations!

Harbor stations!

And so we meet again. Snitch!

She wasn't at the meeting point. I waited until now.

Last landmark.

Let's see how she does below.

Rig ship for dive.

Rig bridge for dive.

Aye!

Clear the bridge!

The radio equipment was badly damaged yesterday.

You failed to report this.

The situation was under control.

Then why did you replace the radio operator?

I didn't deem it...

There was a fire on board and you didn't tell me, First Watch Officer.

Listen, I don't care how many years of service you have,

but this is my boat.

I won't tolerate it again. Understood?

Aye, Sir.

Conning tower hatch closed.

Rig buoyancy vents.

Rig buoyancy vents.

Aft buoyancy vent rigged.

Both central buoyancy vents rigged.

All buoyancy vents rigged!

Cycle the vents!

Three zero meters.

Ten degrees dive on the bow planes.

Five degrees dive on the stern planes.

Good morning, Miss Strasser.

Your second day of work and you're already late?

I slept badly.

I see.

Would you come with me, please?

Why?

I need your help.

This used to be the Customs House.

Now we use it together, the French and us.

Please.

Mr. Duval.

This is Miss Strasser. Mr. Duval is from the French National Police.

He didn't get much sleep either last night.

Come with me, please.

I know this is not part of your normal duties,

but there has been an incident last night,

probably related to the black market.

Normally Duval takes care of these things but a French police officer was shot.

He's not sufficiently detached to be of any big help

and my French is still not what it should be.

It shouldn't take too long.