Entertaining Sub Movie, But It's Not The History Channel

Rating: 7/10 (16 June 2000)

This movie is interesting, with great visual and sound effects and a terrific cast. The screenplay is fast paced with plenty of plot twists. It will keep you interested for the whole movie. I'm looking forward to seeing it again when it is on video.
The story is interesting, but it is not a historical documentary by any means. There are a few accurate points, such as American S Boats leaked like sieves. It also dramatically represents that submarines were not a pleasant place to be when attacked by the enemy.
I think the torpedo scenes were too much hyperbola and the depth charge scene was great, but the boat would have ended up in Davy Jone's locker with all those hits. It is very exciting and great drama, but probably not technically accurate.
I knew the history of the Enigma decoder before I went to see the movie. I read about it in school and I later saw it on the History Channel. So, I knew this movie wasn't factual. I didn't expect it to be.
Unfortunately, I overheard people walking out of the movie, making comments regarding "U-571" as a historical document. I heard the same type of comments after "Saving Private Ryan". Both were fictitious, but very entertaining. Well worth the price of admission.
My complaint with this movie is not with the writer/producer making entertaining fiction, but with the uninformed public who want to believe anything that Hollywood produces which resembles history must be accurate. Unfortunately, the real truth behind the history is often boring. I don't think too many people would pay the admission to see a story of Bletchley Park and Enigma. I'm thankful the British scientists broke the Enigma code, but I wouldn't pay to see the story dramatized.