A U.S. Navy Captain and his crew are just beginning to enjoy 48 hours of leave when they receive word to immediately return to duty. On a top-secret assignment, they must disguise themselves as Nazis and infiltrate a severely damaged Nazi U-boat. Once on board, they are to steal the Nazi’s top-secret decoding device and sink the sub before the Germans catch on to what’s really happening. Their mission is more dangerous and frightening than anything they could have ever imagined, but one which has the power to turn the tide of battle.Taut and gripping, U-571 follows the exploits of a fictional team of World War II U.S. submariners who undertake a secret mission to capture a German Enigma machine to decode German documents. Writer-director Jonathan Mostow (Breakdown) tells an intense, economical tale, reminiscent of the best classic war films, while infusing it with modern sentiments.
Spring 1942: A crew of young submarine sailors are on a much-needed 48-hour liberty when they’re suddenly called together and engaged in an expedition. At the helm are Lieutenant Commander Mike Dahlgren (Bill Paxton), Lieutenant Andrew Tyler (Matthew McConaughey), and Chief Klough (Harvey Keitel). Other pivotal crew members include Tyler’s Annapolis pal Lieutenant Pete Emmett (Jon Bon Jovi, proving his acting mettle) and Lieutenant Hirsch (Jake Weber), who, along with Marine Major Coonan (David Keith), organizes the mission. As much of the movie takes place in a submarine during WWII, there are inevitable comparisons with the technical masterpiece Das Boot, but Mostow’s masterfully shot tale can hold its own.
McConaughey’s Tyler is believably earnest as he comes to grips with the reality, tragedy, and consequence of being in command. While this explosion-filled film consistently maintains its tense pace (as did the underrated Breakdown), it also presents with surprising restraint a genuine human story–and the remarkable journey of an unexpected hero. –N.F. Mendoza
April 16, 2008
#1
Jonathan Mostow, who so successfully created an atmosphere of tension and suspense in Breakdown, does the same fine work here in U-571. In this film, Matthew McConaughey leads a team of naval officers to steal a German encoder known as the Enigma. They take over a German sub, and attempt to finish their mission, when major problems ensue. (don’t want to give anything away)
The best part of this movie is the effects and the tension that it created within the submarine. The special effects are amazing, the camera work is terrific as you feel the dizzy, claustrophobic sense of tension aboard this ship. That being said, it’s the type of movie where you only realize afterwards what was missing.
First, there are problems of historical accuracy: Although the end credits thank the real Navy efforts to steal the German encoders during the War, it was the British, and never the American Navy, who were involved. This isn’t a terrible thing, but it’s crediting the wrong people. There are a number of other plot holes as well.
Second is the acting. With several exceptions, most notably McConaghey’s solid performance, there is some bad casting and dry acting. Harvey Keitel ? He is listed as Chief Klough, but then why does he report to McConaughey’s Lt. Tyler ? Bill Paxton is wooden, and Erik Palladino whines through his role and is annoying.
The suspense and effects are great, and it makes for a good `popcorn’ movie, but U-571 could have been better.
April 16, 2008
#2
Aside from the blatant (even worse than Braveheart, which is saying something) historical inaccuracies, this movie has other problems. How exactly did a single German destroyer manage to materialize in the middle of the Atlantic ocean? Apart from the massive difficulties involved in getting past the Royal Navy, that type of ship would be cutting it very close to have enough fuel for the round-trip plus sub hunting. And German losses in destroyers were so heavy in 1940 that they needed every last one they had for duties closer to home. Having the “milch cow” u-boat arrive to pick up the crew was not an unreasonable idea, but everything after that is just silly. WW2 submarine captains only wished enemy destroyers disintegrated like that after a single torpedo hit. Don’t waste your time with this pulp fiction, go check out Das Boot or Run Silent, Run Deep instead.
April 16, 2008
#3
Definitely the worst war movie since “Saving private ryan”. Once again the Germans are one dimensional “Bad guys” and the Americans are unrealistic and cliched. Cannot even begin to compare with “Das Boot” which is in a class all its own. Not surprising really considering Mostow sincerely believes that all Germans were rabid Nazis.
April 16, 2008
#4
It is merely a propaganda film. History is so twisted that I want to vomit in disgust.
If I ever bought this movie I would feel so bad that I would kill myself with a table saw.
April 16, 2008
#5
I rented this movie awhile ago and to my suprise i found it very Well done and entertaining. Please dont listen to the “Wanna be Historians” who think they know everything about War and what took place in those times. They get theyre info from the same old men i get mine from, are “Fathers & Grandfathers.” it may not be Accurate or it may very well be. But what does it matter i ask? The movie is entertaining and keeps your brain wanting to know more of the story line and plot. Why would you be watching this movie for history lessons… if you want that go to school, or find you a book. Also They do have a channel called the “History” channel that does provide some great & accurate War Pictures and Movies. Please dont cast your negative thoughts on a good movie and spoil it for others just because you want a history lesson to go with it.