Tom Hanks is well-known not just for his roles in some of the most beloved films in cinema history, but also for being an avid movie fan himself.
In 2013, the Oscar-winning actor held a thread titled “Ask Me Anything” on Reddit and revealed that one of his favourite films of all time is the 1981 World War II drama Das Boot – specifically, the director’s cut.
The question came from a fan asking: “What’s your favourite movie you didn’t act in?” Hanks’ reply was simple but revealing: “Recently, Looper. And Das Boot – the director’s cut.”
Released in 1981, Das Boot (German for The Boat) was directed by Wolfgang Petersen and is widely regarded as one of the greatest war films ever made. The movie is based on Lothar-Günther Buchheim’s 1973 novel of the same name, which in turn was inspired by his own experience as a war correspondent aboard a German U-boat during World War II.
Rather than glorifying war or leaning into patriotic tropes, Das Boot focuses on the psychological strain, claustrophobic tension, and moral complexity faced by young sailors crammed into a metal tube deep under the sea.
The film follows U-96, a German submarine crew tasked with a dangerous mission in the Atlantic. As they dodge depth charges, battle despair, and endure endless days beneath the waves, their hopes of survival grow thinner.
What stands out most is the human angle – the fear, frustration, and quiet camaraderie among the crew. With a cast led by Jürgen Prochnow and breakthrough cinematography that used handheld cameras to navigate the tight confines of the sub, the film delivers an immersive experience still praised today.
While Das Boot was initially released in a 149-minute theatrical cut, Petersen later expanded it into a 208-minute director’s cut in the late 1990s – the version Hanks specifically praised. That extended edition restored key scenes and dialogue, giving greater depth to the characters and reinforcing the relentless atmosphere.
The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, and remains one of the most critically acclaimed foreign-language films ever made.
But Das Boot wasn’t the only film Hanks mentioned in his AMA. He also namechecked Rian Johnson’s 2012 sci-fi thriller Looper, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis, calling it a recent favourite that impressed him.
Elsewhere in the thread, Hanks fielded dozens of light-hearted and thoughtful fan questions, offering candid insights into his own work.
Asked which character he’d want to play in a Star Trek: The Next Generation reboot, Hanks didn’t hesitate: “The Borg. Nothing else.”
When questioned about the most difficult film he’s made, Hanks resisted singling one out, but admitted: “No movie is easy. Some are just more comfortable than others.”
He also reflected on the emotional impact of acting. One fan asked if he ever gets emotional during scenes, and Hanks replied with a moment from Forrest Gump: “When Lt. Dan introduced Forrest to his wife, with his titanium legs, I burst into tears…”
And when it came to advice for aspiring actors, his response was classic Hanks — direct and humble: “Show up on time. Know your lines. Have an idea of what to do in the scene. The rest will take care of itself.”
