Product Details

• Actors: Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Harvey Keitel, Jon Bon Jovi, David Keith
• Directors: Jonathan Mostow
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English, German
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Universal Studios
• VHS Release Date: October 3, 2000
• Run Time: 117 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (454 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00004XMVI
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #91,051 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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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

78 of 88 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.

75 of 85 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.

30 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Neither entertaining nor good !, May 23, 2000

By A Customer

I am admittedly a fan of submarine-warfare movies and books, and will also admit to overlooking some factual 'inaccuracies' as long as the plot gets furthered by them. As for 'U-571' - If you honestly want to see a submarine move, pick another ! This flick is far to clean shaven, scrubbed and streamlined to even remotely resemble real life and duty on a submarine, even under preent day conditions. Watch "The Boat" instead especially the director's cut, for an impression of 'life' on a submarine. As for historical 'accuraccy' - It has been mentioned before that the Polish, French and British secret services originally 'accquired' the Enigma machine during the thirties - and by '41 were regularly reading the U-boat dispatches ( with corresponding massive effect on the naval war) - rendering the basic premise of the movie void from the start...... As for the uninspired acting - actually nothing much was expected, so the disappointment was managable...... Still, it might be fun watching it as a total no-brainer zoned out with a cask of beer. Then again, there are more memorable movies ! Leave it be