The theme of failure presented in Das Boot"When 'Das Boot' was first released in the United States, it ran for 145 minutes and won huge sums of money. audience and no less than six Oscar nominations, which is unheard of for a foreign film." The genius of Wolfgang Petersen's "Das Boot" is that for Americans it is truly considered a foreign film; not only in the sense that the film is German, but because it offers a unique perspective of World War II, the German perspective. This point of view allows American audiences to step away from the theaters and be influenced by common themes in the film industry. However, because the film is the story of a German submarine, the effect is unlike anything American audiences have ever experienced before. One of these themes is failure. “Das Boot” presents the German forces as capable of overcoming failure victoriously, while the Allies are shown as a rather unsuccessful military force. The U-boat Captain serves as a symbol of the German war. He is introduced for the first time in his uniform and it immediately becomes clear that this man is an authority figure. In the film's chaotic opening scene, he is one of the few sober soldiers at the bar, proving that he is always in control. While many are scared when he pushes the boat twice beyond the recommended depth to test its sturdiness, no one questions his decision. He is stern, powerful and respected. As Roger Ebert writes of a scene later in the film: "He is capable of shouting 'I demand proper intercourse!' just as it looks like the boat is breaking apart." On several occasions, while under attack by depth charges, only the knowledge of the veteran Captain is the only thing keeping the sailors of U-96 from the grave. Since the Captain serves as the human link to Germany's war effort, his characterization shows Germany's relative success in the war. When the Captain is triumphant, so is Germany. Under no circumstances may the men aboard U-96 fail. They are literally trapped in the boat and all mistakes quickly lead to the same fatal end. Whether the Captain emerges by mistake and causes an enemy ship to locate the periscope, or Johan abandons his post in the engine room, the consequence is disastrous every time. Every sailor on the boat depends on each other to perform their duties satisfactorily.