The film is set in 1942, during the height of World War II. The Allied forces are struggling to gain the upper hand in the Battle of the Atlantic, as German U-boats wreak havoc on their supply convoys.
The story follows Lieutenant Andrew Tyler (played by Matthew McConaughey), who is assigned to command the U.S. Navy submarine USS S-33. Tyler and his crew, including Chief Petty Officer Henry Klough (played by Harvey Keitel) and Lieutenant Pete Emmett (played by Bill Paxton), are tasked with a top-secret mission: to intercept a disabled German U-boat, U-571, and seize its Enigma machine, a device used by the Germans to encrypt their communications.
Disguising themselves as a German resupply U-boat, the crew of the USS S-33 manages to surprise and board U-571, capturing the Enigma machine and its codebooks. However, their victory is short-lived, as they come under attack from a German destroyer.
During the ensuing battle, the USS S-33 suffers heavy damage and is forced to dive to avoid being destroyed. With their submarine crippled and their captain killed, Tyler assumes command and leads his crew on a desperate struggle for survival.
As the crew of the USS S-33 fights to repair their damaged submarine and evade the pursuing German forces, tensions run high among the crew. They must work together to overcome their differences and complete their mission, knowing that the fate of the war may depend on their success.
In a series of intense and harrowing scenes, the crew of the USS S-33 faces numerous obstacles and challenges, including depth charges, mechanical failures, and the ever-present threat of discovery by the enemy.
In the end, Tyler and his crew manage to outwit the German forces and return safely to Allied territory with the captured Enigma machine. Their heroic actions help turn the tide of the war in favor of the Allies and secure a decisive victory in the Battle of the Atlantic.
“U-571” is a thrilling and suspenseful war film that pays tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the men who served in the submarine service during World War II. With its gripping storyline, realistic action sequences, and stellar performances, the film delivers an unforgettable cinematic experience that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats from start to finish.