This May 31, 2006 file photo shows German film director Wolfgang Petersen during a photocall to present his movie 'Poseidon' in Rome, Italy. AFP PHOTO
NEW YORK CITY: Wolfgang Petersen, the German filmmaker whose World War 2 submarine epic "Das Boot" propelled him into a blockbuster Hollywood career that included the films "In the Line of Fire," "Air Force One" and "The Perfect Storm," has died. He was 81.