I am a third-year Computer and Business Studies student at Warwick University. I do my best to rate...
I am a third-year Computer and Business Studies student at Warwick University. I do my best to rate the opinions of those who have rated mine, and will try especially hard in the case of those who have provided helpful comments on my reviews.
Member since:16.01.2001
Reviews:38
Members who trust:14
Once again it is up to the British public to overcome any prejudices they may have as to the way “history has been re-written” by Hollywood to make the Americans look as heroic as possible. This has been done somewhat at the expense of the “Tommies”, who made by far the most valuable contributions to cracking the Enigma code machine (the central focus of this submarine scenario).
“U-571” is much like “The Patriot”, in that many people who end up going to see it actually enjoy it. This theory is strengthened by the fact that, at the time of writing this review, most of the top opinions in the “U-571” sub-category are positive. Indeed, I have heard by far the most scathing criticisms of this movie from those who have not even seen it.
The bottom line is that “U-571” does not actually re-write history, as it is a work of pure historical fiction. It is unwarranted to expect American filmmakers to portray a British submarine crew as the heroes of a fictional war movie - even if, apart from the very end of the movie (when rolling text clarifies that the Royal Navy captured two Enigmas as opposed to the less-important one acquired by the Americans in 1944), the Brits do get precious little credit.
The story opens as a German U-boat, the U-571, is critically damaged by a British destroyer in the Atlantic. Its distress signals are intercepted by the Americans, who send out the S-33 submarine, which has undergone an ad-hoc transformation to look like a rescue U-boat from the Kriegsmarine. The mission of the S-33 is to use this deception to successfully board the U-571, and capture the on-board Enigma machine. This is as much as I am going to reveal about the storyline; after this, the audience is treated to the classic elements that one would expect in a World War II submarine movie, with depth charge sequences, tense torpedo shootouts, and even surface firefights.
The “stellar cast” - as is proudly proclaimed on the DVD cover - includes Matthew McConaughey, Harvey Keitel, and Jon Bon Jovi. McConaughey, as Lieutenant Tyler (soon to be promoted in the heat of the action), and Harvey Keitel, as the Chief, are especially strong performers. In the end, though, I would have to nominate the director and screenwriter, Jonathan Mostow, as the star of the picture.
Mostow was not only the one responsible for the entire plot, but was also able to promote a sense of deep realism in the shots, especially when inside the submarine. “U-571” is, in my opinion, just short of a cinematic masterpiece.
Aiding the sense of realism, of course, are the impressive special effects, and the fact that a nearly life-sized submarine model was actually used for some of the external shots, as opposed to the cheaper, but less realistic miniatures system.
Mostow’s commentary on the DVD is among the most informative I have heard, and only confirms my impression of his having directed a memorable movie. One objective, he says, was to make a submarine movie in the mould of classics such as “Destination Tokyo”, but of course with the added benefit of CGI and other advanced special effects to enhance the overall experience. He certainly appears to have achieved that goal.
Mostow has, in addition, managed to produce a picture that, like him, is honest and unpretentious. He freely admits in the DVD commentary, for instance, that some of his scenes are very “Hollywood”, and, as for the movie itself, it never tries to be anything other than a fun, action-packed, and realistic (if not entirely historically accurate) submarine movie. I highly recommend it, in particular the DVD version, which includes an impressive director’s commentary, and interviews with World War II submariners that only confirm the movie’s accuracy.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
No! "Refreshingly unpretentious" yet "very Hollywood" at the same time - how does your logic work? While I know what fiction is and what fact is I have to ask what is the point in re-writing a hostory when you can always write a brand new story or tell the history and make a perfectly good film from it. there is no excuse for changing history because then we end up in some crazy 1984 world (obviously I exxaggerate, but the point is the same). U-571 is a waste of time and also to be 100% accurate we should thank the English and Polish. Just because Americans have little history they feel they need to hijack others' to make themselves worthwhile. I like America, but this is not right.
Ho hum - just wanted to say this. Oh and DVd commentary is all very well, but who is talking? You have to pay attention to your sources - look again at the WWII submarine people and spot the small point to bear in mind.
tange 16.11.2001 17:33
An interesting review..not seen this film, but it sounds really good.
MichelleScott 31.10.2001 13:59
Very interesting and well-written review. I'm not big on men's action/war films, but I would rent this one on the strength of your review - especially for the commentary.
If you've never seen a submarine drama before, thenU-571will probably make a good ... more
impression as a tautly choreographed piece of entertainment. A strong cast led by Matthew McConaughey's sympathetic Lt. Tyler undertakes a perilous mission to seize a Ger...
Postage & Packaging: Check Site. Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
If you've never seen a submarine drama before, thenU-571will probably make a good ... more
impression as a tautly choreographed piece of entertainment. A strong cast led by Matthew McConaughey's sympathetic Lt. Tyler undertakes a perilous mission to seize a Ger...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
From the creators of the hit thriller 'Breakdown', comes Canal+ and Universal Pictures' ... more
U-571. A white-knuckle World War II suspense drama, about an American submarine crew as they battle against time, danger and their own fears. Their mission: a darin...
If you've never seen a submarine drama before, thenU-571will probably make a good ... more
impression as a tautly choreographed piece of entertainment. A strong cast led by Matthew McConaughey's sympathetic Lt. Tyler undertakes a perilous mission to seize a Ger...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
![U-571 [DVD] [2000]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78522839.jpg "U-571 [DVD] [2000]")
![U-571 [DVD] [2000] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/69887853.jpg "U-571 [DVD] [2000] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]")
Oct 28th, 2001
very helpful by (100%):
