U-571 (2000)

A German submarine is boarded by disguised American submariners trying to capture their Enigma cipher machine.

Director:

Jonathan Mostow

Writers:

Jonathan Mostow (story), Jonathan Mostow (screenplay)

Stars:

Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Harvey Keitel

Won 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matthew McConaughey	...	Tyler
Bill Paxton	...	Dahlgren
Harvey Keitel	...	Chief
Jon Bon Jovi	...	Emmett
David Keith	...	Coonan
Thomas Kretschmann	...	Wassner
Jake Weber	...	Hirsch
Jack Noseworthy	...	Wentz
Tom Guiry	...	Trigger
Will Estes	...	Rabbit
Terrence 'T.C.' Carson	...	Eddie (as T.C. Carson)
Erik Palladino	...	Mazzola
Dave Power	...	Tank
Derk Cheetwood	...	Griggs
Matthew Settle	...	Larson

Storyline

In the midst of World War II, the battle below the seas rages. The Nazis have the upper edge as the Allies are unable to crack their war codes. That is, until a wrecked U-boat sends out an SOS signal, and the Allies realize this is their chance to seize the 'enigma coding machine'. But masquerading as Nazis and taking over the U-boat is the smallest of their problems. The action really begins when they get stranded on the U-boat.

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Plot Keywords:

u boat | world war two | naval officer | nazi | 1940s | 

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Taglines:

Heroes are ordinary men who do extraordinary things in extraordinary times.

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Genres:

Action | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for war violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie represents one of a few World War II submarine movies which have won one Academy Award in a technical category, that's just only the one Oscar in either special effects or sound editing. These movies include Crash Dive (1943), The Enemy Below (1957), Torpedo Run (1958), and U-571 (2000). The non-World War II sub movie, The Hunt for Red October (1990) also won just the one Oscar, as did the World War II part sub movie 49th Parallel (1941), but for Best Original Story.

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Goofs

The S-33 (SS-138) depicted serving in the North Atlantic, actually served in the Pacific, either in the Aleutians or on the U.S. West Coast.

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Quotes

[During a depth charge attack]
Lieutenant Andrew Tyler: Mister Hirsch, step away from that bulkhead. The shockwave from one of these explosions could snap your spine.

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Alternate Versions

At least one version of the theatrical release contained no subtitles for the opening scene aboard the German submarine. This was possibly to increase dramatic effect, placing emphasis on the acting and visuals rather than the dialogue.

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Connections

Featured in La guerra en el cine (2003)

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Soundtracks

Lover, Come Back to Me
Written by Sigmund Romberg, Oscar Hammerstein II
(performed at the wedding reception while Dahlgreen is talking to Tyler)

User Reviews

Predictable but intense

I watched this movie almost on a whim and was very impressed by the intensity of it. All of the actors in the film did a wonderful job and the music, direction, effects, and cinematography lent themselves well to the finished vision. The only thing that disappointed me however was the foreshadowing and predictability of the film. As a result of this, I gave it a 6 out of 10. I would recommend anyone who is interested in action / adventure films, especially those centering on WWII to watch it, however, do not think too hard about it while it is progressing.

Details

Official Sites:

West Video / Videoguide Company (russian)

Country:

France USA Italy

Language:

English German

Release Date:

21 April 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

U-571

Filming Locations:

Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$62,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$19,553,310, 23 April 2000

Gross USA:

$77,122,415

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$127,666,415

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Canal Plus Image International, Dino De Laurentiis Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS (8 channels)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1