WWII Movie Review: U-571

When one thinks of submarine movies, the most famous that comes to mind might be "The Hunt For Red October", based on Tom Clancy's novel. However, one submarine movie set in World War II is "U-571", and it is based not on any novel, but rather on a series of events that played a crucial role in winning the longest battle of the war.

The movie is seen from the perspective of both the Germans and the Americans, where a German U-Boat, U-571, is damaged by depth charges and requests assistance. Both the Germans and the Americans know this, and both race to reach the damaged U-Boat first, the Germans to save their ship, the Americans to recover an Enigma code machine and log books. The Americans reach it first, but the Germans sink their sub and the surviving American sailors are forced to use U-571 to reach safe harbor with the Enigma without the Germans finding out the Enigma was compromised.

This story is a work of fiction, as none of these events specifically happened. However, this is a very good story, if not entirely historically accurate. For one thing, U-571 in reality was sunk with all hands in January 1944 off Ireland. Secondly, in 1942 the presence of a German destroyer in the Atlantic was an unlikely, almost impossible, event due to Hitler's order that the German surface fleet be restricted to port after the loss of the Bismarck. Thirdly, when the German destroyer depth charges U-571, they use more than twice the maximum complement of depth charges for a destroyer. Finally, German U-boaters did not routinely massacre survivors of sunk ships. They were indeed ordered not to take prisoners, but historically U-Boat crews were generous in that they provided bearings toward land for survivors.

One thing that many critics have complained about is the Americanization of the film's plot for American audiences. In reality, the majority of Enigma-capture raids were conducted by the British, with the exception of one U.S success and one Canadian success. However, at the end of the film a list of successful missions is listed with a dedication to all those who sacrificed to obtain these vital machines.

The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest battle in World War II, running fro around 1940 all the way to the end. This movie may not be totally accurate in details, but it is a great story and a fitting testament to the sacrifices of the Allied sailors who risked their lives to end the war quicker. Until next time, take care, and thanks for reading.