U-571 on DVD (2000)

An entertaining movie..pity your reviewers don't read the credits!

CDR Peter R Hibbert USN from London, England , 02/07/2007

As a movie, the challenge for the director was to produce an entertaining and gripping motion picture when at the same time the audience knows (or can guess) the outcome. Not an easy task, but this was accomplished in a commendable way. It is an action movie and the pace never lets up! I was doubtful about this at the start but I can truly say I really enjoyed it.

As for those who say that the Americans were re-writing naval history, I would say that first of all there is no claim in the movie that this was the first capture of an enigma coding machine. Secondly, before you exit form the movie, read the credits! It is dedicated to allied ships and men who captured enigma evidence. It lists in order the three British ships of the Royal Navy, starting with HMS Bulldog (a “B”class destroyer) which captured U-110 on May 9th, 1941. And yes, guys, whether you like it or not, the yanks did seize an enigma machine from U-505 on June 4th, 1944 by Task Group 22.3…but by destroyers (not a US submarine).

So yes, history was re-written, but give credit to the movie producers where credit is due for producing an entertaining movie.

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Fact or Fiction - Aviod if you believe in the TRUTH!

A customer from Prescot... Merseyside , 22/02/2006

If this film had been about a ficticious piece of radar hardware etc then it wiuld be a very entertaining and watchable film. However the facts relating to the capture of the German enigma encoder are very well documented. When a film is said to be based on a true story then it should at least be true to the facts. Another example of the Americans deluding themselves and trying to distort history. They'll be telling us next that Bletchley Park is in the Arizona Dessert!!!.

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4 stars for sound 2 for accuracy

A customer from South Bucks, England , 03/03/2005

If you want to show off the sound of your home cinema and make that sub woofer bark enough to crack your walls; this is the film for you. Incredible use of surround sound and truly terrifying in the sub being depth charged.

But it ain't history. An Enigma machine was captured from a U-boat but not by the Yanks. That accolade goes to HMS Petard and two British sailors died in the attempt when the U-boat sank under them.

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Worth a Watch

ADD from Doncaster, England , 10/11/2004

Ignore the 'how the american's won the war' and sit back and enjoy a pretty good WWII movie. Good acting (I'll even give Jon Bon Jovi a few marks), and some good submarine scenes, not quite on par with Crimson Tide but good none the less. Give it a go....

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Once again, how the US 'won the war' ... this time at sea

A customer from The (Wild) South West , 11/01/2006

A novel tale with some 'interesting' views of 'submariners/submarine life'. These WWII US subs must have had more space than some of today's SSBN's, be they US, UK or USSR's (as was) or was it 'movie-maker's licence'.

Credit must given however to the short but telling mentions at the end of the movie when due respects are paid to the real captors of the Enigma.

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By-the-numbers fantasy

A customer from UK , 26/02/2005

On the surface all the essential elements seem to be there: big names, strong story, good script, sound acting, lots of action, half decent special effects etc. Viewed as a piece of fiction this movie is a watchable romp. Sadly, there are glaring inaccuracies in this historical adventure which could almost be forgiven were it not for the fact that the deeds of great men and women are airbrushed from history in order to turn in little more than an average finished product. Disappointingly predictable in parts, it did hold my attention to the end. Despite the ridiculous swaggering of some characters this movie is saved by its leading men, the ever versatile Bill Paxton and the talented AND gorgeous Matthew McConaughey. If you like action and adventure on the high seas (or you just fancy McConaughey) you'll love this film. Not recommended for anyone who is expecting to watch an accurate account of the WWII Enigma story though.

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