U-571

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U-571

PG-13

Released Apr 21, 2000

1h 56m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

117 Reviews

61%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

When a German U-571 submarine with a sophisticated encryption machine onboard is sunk during a World War II battle at sea, the Allies send an American Navy force led by Lieutenant Andrew Tyler (Matthew McConaughey) to retrieve it for study. Boarding the German ship, the Americans' cover as a rescue force is quickly blown. Forced to take the crew hostage, the Americans lay their explosives and prepare to destroy the German vessel before the Nazis can send naval backup.

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Critics Consensus

Excellent cinematography and an interesting plot accompanied by a talented cast and crew make U-571 a tense thriller.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

A very tense and exciting war movie.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 29, 2010

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Time Out

Without much charge and even less depth.

Feb 9, 2006

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Louis B. Parks

Houston Chronicle

It's a wham-bam bumpy ride, great fun in the old-fashioned war movie tradition.

Rated: B

Jul 21, 2005

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Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

U-571 is junk as history; as a mindless Saturday night action flick, its pretty good

Rated: 3/5

Apr 26, 2022

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Tony Black

Cultural Conversation

Well-executed but troubling wartime historical revisionism.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 15, 2021

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John A. Nesbit

Old School Reviews

... more like a Star Trek television episode

Rated: C

Aug 7, 2013

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Nol P

Many cannot just simply enjoy most films! Yes this has flaws and the acting is average but it is still half decent enough entertainment compared to most mindless awful yarn these days thrown together quick by Hollywood. Still a worthy watch. 3 of 5 stars.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/14/24

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Rod's R

What is the matter with film makers, do they think their audience are all stupid? Five minutes into the movie and the action culminates in the German U boat surfacing as it is damaged by a British destroyers depth charges. Er.... where is the destroyer? Gone! Nowhere to be seen. Joke of a film

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/10/24

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Eddy d

This film is actually an insult to those who fought and died. With so many real stories of heroic action during WW2, why make up such phony nonsense? Hollywood at its worst.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

12/07/24

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Gerald H

A great cast has to tun around and scream in a way too loud, bad filmscore that is composed way too heroic just to wetten US Americans‘ panties.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

10/31/24

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Jim P

I enjoyed this. The claustrophobic scenes reflect life inside a sub, and it's gripping and exciting.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/12/24

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Ryan M

Not great, not bad. Would've got 3 stars if not for the overly dramatic creative licensing on historical events. Some tense moments, but overall pretty average.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

07/25/24

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Jonathan Mostow

Director

Matthew McConaughey

Lt. Andrew Tyler

Bill Paxton

Lt. Commander Mike Dahlgren

Harvey Keitel

Chief Klough

Jon Bon Jovi

Lt. Pete Emmett

Jake Weber

Lt. Hirsch

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U-571: Official Clip - Tyler's Plan

2:31

U-571: Official Clip - She's Old, But She'll Hold

0:42

U-571: Official Clip - The Enigma Mission

1:54

U-571: Official Clip - Depth Charges

1:49

U-571: Official Clip - Infiltrating the German Sub

2:58

U-571: Official Clip - A Submarine Captain

1:55

U-571: Official Clip - The Skipper Always Knows

0:36

U-571: Official Clip - Men in the Water

2:41

U-571: Official Clip - Sinking the Destroyer

2:59

U-571: Official Clip - German U-Boat Attack

1:38

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Synopsis

When a German U-571 submarine with a sophisticated encryption machine onboard is sunk during a World War II battle at sea, the Allies send an American Navy force led by Lieutenant Andrew Tyler (Matthew McConaughey) to retrieve it for study. Boarding the German ship, the Americans' cover as a rescue force is quickly blown. Forced to take the crew hostage, the Americans lay their explosives and prepare to destroy the German vessel before the Nazis can send naval backup.

Director: Jonathan Mostow
Producer: Dino De Laurentiis, Martha De Laurentiis
Screenwriter: Jonathan Mostow, Jonathan Mostow, Sam Montgomery, David Ayer
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Canal Plus Image International
Rating: PG-13 (War Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 21, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 14, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $77.1M
Runtime: 1h 56m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, DTS, SDDS, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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