U-571

Play trailer

U-571

PG-13,

2000,

1h 56m,

Mystery & Thriller

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

68%

109 Reviews

Tomatometer

62%

50,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

109 Reviews

62%

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.

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Dec 29, 2010

4/5

A very tense and exciting war movie.

Go to Full Review

Louis B. Parks

Houston Chronicle

Jul 21, 2005

B

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

Go to Full Review

Tom Tunney

Sight & Sound

Dec 2, 2002

Sharply edited and vigorously directed and performed.

Go to Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

Apr 26, 2022

3/5

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

Go to Full Review

Tony Black

Cultural Conversation

Feb 15, 2021

2/5

Well-executed but troubling wartime historical revisionism.

Go to Full Review

John A. Nesbit

Old School Reviews

Aug 7, 2013

C

... more like a Star Trek television episode

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Rey W

Jan 3, 2019

These reviews are laughable. The biggest mess of a movie, completely inaccurate, crediting the US with cracking the enigma when the UK had done it before they even entered the war. A complete work of fiction.

See more

Poe S

Oct 29, 2018

As submarine movies go, U-571 gets the job done - that is to say, it tells an engaging (albeit predictable) story and features several scenes of nail-biting suspense. All of the usual plot staples are in evidence: tension between crew members, deep diving where the hull threatens to collapse, dodging depth charges, and sub-to-sub battles. Director Jonathan Mostow should be commended for taking a thin script and crafting a compelling film out of it. U-571 doesn't hold together well upon reflection, but, while it's playing on screen, it works. All the actors are more than adequate and this film further brings forth the dilemma of whether a strong character is needed or a strong performer can suffice to let the plot take precedence. (Entertaining submarine film- not Das Boot but good).

See more

Luke S

Aug 29, 2018

It's no Das Boot but by Hollywood standards not a bad effort. The tense atmosphere never lets up and the cast are fantastic.

See more

Luke L

Jan 19, 2018

This film is fine until you get to the end credits to see scrolls of missions the movie was based on, endless names of HMS ships scroll up your screen leaving a bitter taste. Could Hollywood not make a movie about the real missions with British actors? As a film it is watchable.

See more

Poe W

Dec 24, 2017

Almost deleriously intense, given its limited setup and simplistic thrust.

Hagrid S

Aug 10, 2017

Incredibly stupid movie. Ayer supposedly has experience as a submariner. It certainly does NOT show :(

Read all reviews

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

U-571: Official Clip - Tyler's Plan

2:31

Now Playing

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

0:42

Now Playing

U-571: Official Clip - The Enigma Mission

1:54

Now Playing

U-571: Official Clip - Depth Charges

1:49

Now Playing

U-571: Official Clip - Infiltrating the German Sub

2:58

Now Playing

U-571: Official Clip - A Submarine Captain

1:55

Now Playing

U-571: Official Clip - The Skipper Always Knows

0:36

Now Playing

U-571: Official Clip - Men in the Water

2:41

Now Playing

U-571: Official Clip - Sinking the Destroyer

2:59

Now Playing

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

1:38

Now Playing

View more videos

Wyatt Earp

33%

61%

Wyatt Earp

Watchlist

Rules of Engagement

37%

55%

Rules of Engagement

Watchlist

Heartbreak Ridge

62%

74%

Heartbreak Ridge

Watchlist

The Truth About Charlie

35%

27%

The Truth About Charlie

Watchlist

Dragonfly

8%

62%

Dragonfly

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Four Directors Up for the Next "Bond" Flick?

Jonathan Mostow to Direct Marvel’s "Sub-Mariner"

Trailer Bulletin: Harsh Times

View more photos

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: 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)

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings