Das Boot

The best testament I can give to Das Boot is that I was really tired last night but managed to watch both final episodes between 9-11 pm.

The plot is multi-layered.

Klaus Hoffmann (Rick Okon), war hero and U-boat commander from a distinguished naval family, is complicit in a plot to topple Hitler and surrender in 1943; the plot leader is nicknamed Fidelio, but who is he? Klaus’s sister Hannie works in an orphanage where there is a programme to make pregnant very young girls to produce worthy Nazis; An U-boat is going towards the US naval invasion fleet en route to Italy whilst the U-boat is stuck in Naples.

Klaus Hoffmann takes it over.

If there is a theme to these strands it is that the conventional military forces have a code and the SS – epitomised by Schultz and Hoch – are ruthless operators. They have no moral compass and are busy organising their escape route after the inevitable defeat.

It is much better drama than anything the BBC or ITV can produce. There is more than a nod to strong womanhood in Hanne but thankfully no silly diversity in casting.

And hopefully another series …