haha i don't mind you disagreeing carl! all in good fun!
Well i was only refering my answer to the question...if i implied the whole theaters of war i didn't...i was refering to a destroyer in the atlantic...
not in the far east (which was under the control of Japan)
and in the indian oceans and such.
Destroyers i did know were used a great deal in evacuation...but wasn't that shallower Seas closer to land? I don't doubt the fact that they were used for those operations.
My comments were aimed only at the placement of the destroyer in the movie, all alone, in the middle of the atlantic.
And my believe is that ...in this instance...that is to unrealistic.
i also feel that although later in the war not ALL u boats were brought in closer to home...i think it is fair to say that the majority were.

Good, I didnt want to have to hold my breath till my face turned red waiting for your answer.

The whold thing for me on this though is that, I dont remember that at anytime in the movie, that it was said that the destroyer was in the middle of the ocean.

I do definately agree that if it was, then it would be highly unprobable, that the KM destroyer would be out that far. I was mainly trying to figure out why so many people thought that the destroyer was far out from land--unles I missed something from the movie?? I now have the DVD for the movie, but have no way of playing it yet.

I guess maybe that the idea that it was in the middle of the Atlantic, might have come from something said about where the Uboats were to meet-during the talking sessions before they left on the mission?? In other words, did I WAYYYYYY misunderstand the meaning to the initial question?? It wouldnt be the first time--Grrrr....

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

ahhhhhhhhh looks like we're all cleared up now! [img]smile.gif[/img]
ohh and i'm glad i responded so quickly for your sake...holding your breath and all...it would be boring around here without your input.

heh heh heh, thanks, and to tell you the truth, I cant hold my breath very long anyway--so I guess my tantrum wouldnt work very well. So much for trying to become a Navy Seal. oh BROTHER, if I was able to become a Navy Seal, they would REALLY be scraping the wood off the bottom of the barrel

Sooner or later, I will get a DVD and watch the movie again, and I will pat particular attention to where they are going and or are supposed to go. Just to see if I can win this argument--arr arr arrk. [img]smile.gif[/img]

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

I've finally done it. I rented the video of U-571 and watched it. Let me say which parts I liked:

1) The American describing the maximum crush depth of 400 feet and the unbelievable miracle that he returned from down there. The following dive in the German (heavily damaged) boat to 1,5 times that depth.

2) The lieutenant's plan to lure the DD. It's pretty good, and would have worked.

What I didn't like:

The entire rest!!! The movie's SOOO ridiculous, it's almost so bad it's good again. The evil nazis, fanatical to the last, firing at civilians (happened ONCE during the entire war, the captain who ordered it was consequently avoided socially by almost all others), armed to the teeth (there was usually ONE pistol on board the boat, I was surprised there were no panzerfausts or Tigers on-board in the movie), have no chance against the courageous, heroical Americans, one after the other dying, giving his last breath to save the rest of the crew!!! My God, it really is so pathetic!! [img]smile.gif[/img]

And then a single-engine low-wing monoplane looking a bit like a high-altitude fighter appears somehow miles and miles west of England... no, really, folks.

And they don't get shot at ONCE by their own people, that surprised me. Normally, there would be British and American aircraft all over the place eager to blow up a German-looking sub. Or any sub for that matter. But no, they're only worried about "German planes" "German ships" and "German submarines". I also like the Hunt For Red October remake. Especially when some of those torps changed direction just after passing the sub. Yeah, right. And the 'sonar shadow' of the torp. Like torps had active sonar back then... sure...

These are just some of the main points, but I could go on for hours. Basically this is a sort of "Cold War Scenario" U-boat film. Basically it's a mixture of HFRO and Das Boot, and the mixture is grotesque.

The German destroyer itself wasn't a bad job. Well, for the 50s and 60s it wouldn't have been. Today we tend to want more realism. The 'fake' mixed elements from so many destroyers both German and American... terrible.... anyway, here's to the worst war movie this century!! [img]smile.gif[/img]

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„Solange man nicht mit dem Kopf unterm Arm rumläuft geht es doch noch!" Erwin Rommel

HAHA i hope no producers and such read that post! OUCH

Ha haaaa, I know your just waiting for "my" response, so here goes.

Ive already defended the KM about gunning survivors in the water, so I will not go there. BUT, I will add that only one Uboat Commander was executed (by the KM) for an atrocity.

Heres where we depart on what I agree with you Andreas.

Weapons on Uboats varied. There were in fact more than one pistol--usually it was the P-08 with a "6" inch barrel--A.K.A. the Navy Luger. This doesnt include Flare pistols.

Uboats also carried, MP-38/40s, Mauser Rifles, and MG-34s. True, I dont know the exact number of firearms, but they did carry them. They also had spring-loaded racks that had enough Stahlhelms, for each crewmember. (If you can find the site on U 534? you will see in the photos at what im talking about. This uboat was raised, and my friend Susanne, took many photos of it in England. (Im hoping I have the right Uboat number--I can check on it later if I remember). Anyway, her photos show the gunlocker and Stahlhelm racks.

Now, when I visited U 995, as many things were removed or blocked off and with many people touring through it, I did not notice a gunlocker, but most likely would be close to the Kapitans quarters. They did however, have a Stahlhelm rack with grey painted M-35's still in them--no KM decals of course

U 2540 the type XXI? in Bremerhaven, had a bit of room--tho not as much as the type VII-C, but could have had a decent sized storage locker for sidearms.

I have a KM press photo im still waiting on thats coming from a collection in Germany, that specifically shows a Uboat officer firing an MG=34 and three crewmen with mausers and one with an MP-38/40, trying to detonate seamines. If I ever recieve it, I will ask Otto to post it here to prove the weapons point.

As for torpedos changing direction--yet it happened, but only because the torpedo steering mechanism screwed up somehow. More than one Uboat was sunk by its own torpedo fire. The Gyros somehow jammed.

To enjoy the movie, you have to take a non-accurate historical approach--which means --watch it like you would watch a Star Trek movie--enjoy what fiction is to come. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 10 October 2001: Message edited by: C.Evans ]

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

That's a nice way to put it! [img]smile.gif[/img]

I can only pretend this is all taking place in a cold war scenario between USA/UK and Germany, where there is no active warfare and technology is in the 60s instead of the 40s. Or partly anyway.

A very what-iffy scenario. So for me U-571 is a film set in an alternate history that begins much sooner than 1939. [img]smile.gif[/img]

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„Solange man nicht mit dem Kopf unterm Arm rumläuft geht es doch noch!" Erwin Rommel

All I have to say about the movie is that well seeing it at the theater I repeatdly choked on popcorn and gummi bears. It did not enjoy it and every reason why has already been posted here.

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"Front leaning rest position"
"Move"
"In cadence, exercise....1, 2, 3" (My favorite thing to hear at 5 in the morning.)

Believe me, I too would have thought about it as a lousy movie, IF I watched it for historical accruacy, but I didnt, I watched it as pure fiction and enjoyed it. (Thanks Andreas

That would be interesting to see an "alternate" adventure for that uboat. Definately reminds me of a Star Trek episode. The one where there are two Enterprises, I think it was called "Mirror Mirror".

Mr. Spock sported a beard, Uhura was in a sexier costume, Sulu and Chekov, were vastly different. I miss that series.....

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Believe me, I too would have thought about it as a lousy movie, IF I watched it for historical accruacy, but I didnt, I watched it as pure fiction and enjoyed it. (Thanks Andreas

That would be interesting to see an "alternate" adventure for that uboat. Definately reminds me of a Star Trek episode. The one where there are two Enterprises, I think it was called "Mirror Mirror".

Mr. Spock sported a beard, Uhura was in a sexier costume, Sulu and Chekov, were vastly different. I miss that series.....

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

A lousy flick. Can't even remember the many silly parts in it, 'cause I don't bother too much on this Hollywood B-stuff.

But, hey: The sound was formidable (DVD, Dolby-Surround)! Guess my neighbors had a hard time while I was listening to the movie (Pingggg! Pingggg! Shushshushsushsush! Booooom! Boooooom!)

Cheers,

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"Gentlemen! You can't fight in here, this is the War Room!"
(President Merkin Muffley in "Dr. Strangelove")

While German Destroyers did not operate in mid-Atlantic, they did see a considerable amount of service in the Bay of Biscay( which is part of the Atlantic), and the English channel.
German destroyers and torpedo boats in fact were still active in the coastal waters of the Atlantic until after the D-Day landings. They attempted a number of attacks on the invasion fleet, but were driven off by the escort warships.

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if in doubt....Panic!!!!

It is certainly a crap of a film! The only interesting stuuf are the bloody effects! I love the U-boats metal twisting and twirling like paper... And the bloody depth charges, WOW! But the script, the story, the suspense, the historical accuracy, the performance of the actors: CRAP!

Wouldn't it have been better if they would have been attacked by a British aeroplane or destroyer? It was far more plausible...

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"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars

"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun

Sorry to bring back an old post but I finaly saw U 571 (Free on TV ).
What a joke, I have to say it was a good laugh. The fighter looked like a 109 to me.
My Dad (23 years in the Navy) and I had a great time picking all the faults. I thought at the time Black men weren't allowed to use firearms?
And ships dont explode like the moive shows.

Just out of interest when is the movie set? Anyone know?

The worst thing was that it was actully a British Destoryer crew that got the Naval Enigma (spelling) code books (and machine?)

The action was cool though...
I would give it 3 out of 10.

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David

When you go home
Tell them of us, and say
For your tomorrow
We gave our today.

I actually watched It again this arvo-I don't mind it personally-however you simply have to overlook the immense amounts of BS-but it is still enjoyable-as FICTION!!!!

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"GARRY OWEN"-Traditional war-cry of the US 7th Cavalry.
"CURRAHEE"-War-cry of the US 506th PIR.
"Everybody thinks that they are going to get the chance to punch some Nazi in the face at Normandy-and those days are over, they are long gone"-Lt Chris Burnett

Glad someone FINALLY watched it as a work of FICTION. [img]smile.gif[/img]

The British I think had captured 3 Enigmas and books etc before we finally captured one. Then I think the British captured one or two more before we captured another machine and books.

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Indeed, it is fiction and it is enjoyable in some way...

I think it is set in spring 1942 and the film was made in Malta.

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"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars

"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun

Thanks Feridrich. I find it hard to watch war movies as fiction (sad eh )

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David

When you go home
Tell them of us, and say
For your tomorrow
We gave our today.

I know, I know, but I think we'll have to live with it... Remember that Hollywood makes films to earn money, not to teach or please the audience...

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"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars

"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun

Kellys Heroes is a work of fiction. A real event such as this--never happened.

Where Eagles Dare--is a work of fiction. Ditto.

Von Ryans Express--is a work of fiction.

Hell is For Heroes--is a work of fiction.

The Enemy Below is a work of fiction.

The Password is Courage and was a work of fiction--parts actually did happen. Sergeant Major Coward, was a real Sergeant in the Artillery branch of the British Military.

Flight of the White Stallions--is a work of fiction--and parts of it really did happen, ala General Georgs S.Patton Jrs famous rescue of the Lippezaner Stallions. This was done with the efforts of a German Officer named Podyski (Sp?)

Bridge on the River Kwai, is a work of fiction--and something not so similar actually happened.

Decision Before Dawn--is a work of fiction and much of it actually happened.

These are ALL classic war movies and nobody is complaining about anything in them--yet--look at U 571--its a work of total fiction--why complain? it wasnt meant to be historically accurate--if it were--it would have been a British movie.

[ 11 October 2002, 12:31 PM: Message edited by: C.Evans ]

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Lost are only those, who abandon themselves) Hans-Ulrich Rudel.

Godd points, Carl. It is Hollywood and those films are made to entertain (and make a lot of money, of course).

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"War is less costly than servitude, the choice is always between Verdun and Dachau." - Jean Dutourd, French veteran of both world wars

"A mon fils: depuis que tes yeux sont fermes les miens n’ont cessé de pleurir." - Mère française, Verdun

I suppose what is galling about U-571 Carl is that the great mass of US cinema goers would believe it, or something like it. The classic Hollywood portrayal of the Brits is either as effete, bungling or rigidgly class-ridden. The Germans are either incompetent or evil, usually both. To be honest it gets a little tiresome, especially thw WW2 according to Spielberg approach.

The capture of the enigma is far more complex than just accidentally finding it on a submarine. The Rn went out and ambushed German weather ships for the keys with marked success, whilst Blethcley got better and better, ending with our superb Colossus machines designed by a little guy from the Post Office.

These stories do not really make good Hollywood. Alan Turing is not really a hero the mid-west would appreciate (Repressed, Homosexual, British, Civilian and Brilliant usually don't go down we