Movies and Films
This is the forum for Movie and Film discussions. Again, our topic is naval warfare in WWII for the most part.
Re: Das Boot - Thomsen's Character - Book and Film
Posted by:
Jean-Noël Muller
()
Date: March 23, 2007 08:31AM
Hi, Johannes,
Your point is interesting,but I'm a bit doubtful for following reasons: Rolf Thomsen's record as CO was rather dull,and the character "Thomsen" in Das Boot (Book & Film) is depicted as a broken hero...In addition, it's true that HLW was Flotilla Commander of the real Thomsen,but the description of this officer in the novel is less than positive,and I think the model could rather be KK Sohler, who was in charge at St-Nazaire during 7th patrol of U-96,the one where LGB was on board (27.10.1941/06.12.1941).It has to be noted that KK Sohler was still alive when both book and film were issued, for he passed away in June 1991,here again LGB was a bit rude with his former fellows officers.
There are also some points that are difficult to reconcile together : "Thomsens"'s
politically incorrect and sometimes very rude speech about AH naval capacities, his chastity and abstinence seems impossible in January 1945, as well allusions to "torpedo crisis" during his talks with Der Alte.
In fact, apart from BdU himself, only 5 existing commanders names are quoted in the novel: Prien,Schepke,Kretschmer,Endrass,-all of them "aces"-,and Rahmlow(Written "Ramlow"), who surrendered U-570 close to Irish coast and is depicted as a British agent.All others seem to be fictitious, as stated by LGB himself in his foreword, eventhough most of the facts are real ones.
Your point of view would be highly welcome, as well as those of the other contributors of this thread.All of you, have a nice day.
Jean-Noël
Your point is interesting,but I'm a bit doubtful for following reasons: Rolf Thomsen's record as CO was rather dull,and the character "Thomsen" in Das Boot (Book & Film) is depicted as a broken hero...In addition, it's true that HLW was Flotilla Commander of the real Thomsen,but the description of this officer in the novel is less than positive,and I think the model could rather be KK Sohler, who was in charge at St-Nazaire during 7th patrol of U-96,the one where LGB was on board (27.10.1941/06.12.1941).It has to be noted that KK Sohler was still alive when both book and film were issued, for he passed away in June 1991,here again LGB was a bit rude with his former fellows officers.
There are also some points that are difficult to reconcile together : "Thomsens"'s
politically incorrect and sometimes very rude speech about AH naval capacities, his chastity and abstinence seems impossible in January 1945, as well allusions to "torpedo crisis" during his talks with Der Alte.
In fact, apart from BdU himself, only 5 existing commanders names are quoted in the novel: Prien,Schepke,Kretschmer,Endrass,-all of them "aces"-,and Rahmlow(Written "Ramlow"), who surrendered U-570 close to Irish coast and is depicted as a British agent.All others seem to be fictitious, as stated by LGB himself in his foreword, eventhough most of the facts are real ones.
Your point of view would be highly welcome, as well as those of the other contributors of this thread.All of you, have a nice day.
Jean-Noël
