Product Details

• Actors: Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Harvey Keitel, Jon Bon Jovi, David Keith
• Directors: Jonathan Mostow
• Writers: Jonathan Mostow, David Ayer, Sam Montgomery
• Producers: Dino De Laurentiis, Hal Lieberman, Lucio Trentini, Martha De Laurentiis
• Format: Anamorphic, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Subtitled
• Language: French (Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1), English (Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital-Plus 5.1)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Universal Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: May 23, 2006
• Run Time: 116 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (456 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000E1ZK5A
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,766 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "U-571 [HD DVD]" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

81 of 94 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Well made movie, but rather unrealistic..., September 19, 2000

By	Benjamin Wecker (Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: U-571 (Collector's Edition) (DVD)

The movie "U571" is a well made movie. Nice pictures, very good sound.

But the point, which I critize, is, that the film is rather unrealistic. Think about the American soldiers, who learn how to use an alien ship during a fight. Moreover they are able to repair the boat and to destroy a large battle ship with only one shot.

At least, as some of other writers already said, hollywood changes historical facts for a better selling in the USA. And that should nobody do, especially with such a special topic like the World War 2.

76 of 88 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars U-571, What Hollywood has Become, September 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: U-571 (Collector's Edition) (DVD)

U-571 has tremendous special effects, but so do millions of other movies. Know what else millions of other movies have? Weak plot, weak characterization, bad acting. Know what U-571 has? The same. It's true this film is griping, and it does keep you on the edge of your seat, but other that than there's not much else going for it. Like so many other movies U-571 relies on special effects to keep it afloat, which is why in the end it survived.

It was a good story, unfortunately they rushed to get it out, slapped in some dialoge, composited some special effects, and hired Bill Paxton. Fun to watch if you've got time to waste.

34 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Fantasy War Submarine Movie, May 23, 2000

By A Customer

I guess if movies such as Das Boot took your fancy you would want to see this movie. Let me tell you however and contrary to the other reviews this movie is one of sheer fantasy unlike 'Das Boot' which was based on actual U-boat experiences and accounts witnessed first hand by Lothar Gunther Bucheim and unlike U-571 actually portrayed accurately what it was like to be on a German submarine. This flick does not. It is all hollywood bullS@*t at its best incorporating very smart cluely American submariners and dopey incompetent Germans, sheer blinding luck (hitting the radio mast of a german destroyer with a deck gun with the first shot and later sinking it with a last remaining torpedo which came from a repaired torpedo tube which was miraculously fixed by just one guy in a very short space of time). This very pro-American film lacks any credible acting. The only thing this film has going for it are the special underwater U-boat shots which I have to admit are impressive. As for the rest - a sinking ship!