U-571

This is definitely not the worst submarine movie, that dubious honor goes to the film In Enemy Hands, but it's also not very good. However, if you are a fan of popcorn flicks, it might sit well with you. There is some nice shooting and explosions, the good guys always have better aim and more luck, and the broken submarine performs acrobatic tricks - basically, it's simply a blast. However, if you prefer complex realistic dramas, steer clear of U-571. For me, it's just too shallow and silly. Overall impression: 40%. (08.05.2012)

Jonathan Mostow certainly divided his fans with Terminator 3, but his skill as a director cannot be denied. U-571 worked exactly as it probably was intended in its initial plans, even if it was just on paper back then. While it doesn’t strive for excessive historical accuracy, the basics are true, though the characters are fictional. Visually, it’s decent, and the special effects didn’t embarrass the film, though they didn’t impress either (considering the high budget, I might have expected a bit more refinement in this regard). What stands out is the portrayal of the overwhelming atmosphere inside the submarine and the bleak waiting for any catastrophic scenario, with the metal groaning as the submarine was grazed by a torpedo, and the barrel mines slowly sinking to the bottom—priceless moments. The actors performed quite well, with Harvey Keitel as the mentor who has experienced something in the past being the standout. The ending is typically American and heroic, tinged with pathos, but I can overlook that. War films related to submarines have their own appeal, and that counts. I give it 76%. (11.09.2018)

A very nice comedy about how things certainly were not and didn't go during the war. A true submariner would probably go crazy laughing at the scenes in which the heroes demonstrate what can (but rather cannot) be done with an underwater vessel. Less funny, however, is the Americans' attempt to manipulate history. It is well known that they did not acquire Enigma, but rather their British allies, and it is also well known that this did not take place under similarly lively circumstances. If you want a raw WAR drama that has everything, check out Petersen's Das Boot. Still, Mostow's film is excellent in terms of craftsmanship and an action affair, which, if not taken so seriously and heroically, could have been even better. + 1/2 for Harvey Keitel! (15.02.2004)