U-571 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

U-571 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Lensed in 2000, the World War II naval actioner 'U-571' arrives on 4K UHD disc courtesy of Universal. Directed by Jonathan Mostow, the film features an all-star cast that includes Matthew McConaughey ('Interstellar'), Bill Paxton ('Aliens'), Harvey Keitel ('Imaginary Crimes'), and Jon Bon Jovi ('Ally McBeal'). The new 2160p presentation with Dolby Vision is again accompanied by the existing DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, and the disc is fleshed- out with on-disc extras that first appeared on a mix of previous HD-DVD and Blu-ray releases. No new supplemental material is included. A slipcover, a Blu-ray disc, and a Digital Code redeemable via Movies Anywhere are also included.

U-571 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

On the whole, the HEVC-encoded 2160p presentation with Dolby Vision of U-571 looks quite good in motion, with a pleasing filmic aesthetic. Fine grain is present and resolves naturally and without issue. Colors are nicely saturated leading to strong primaries that pop when featured, such as an early scene with the German sailor manning a periscope that's bathed in red. The blues of sailors' shirts are also convincing, as are the rich golds that adorn their dress white uniforms. Detail levels are high, with every crease and wrinkle visible in the tarps that cover trucks, and age and wear on the U-boat's controls and mechanical elements, and fine lines and wrinkles on the casts' faces. Whites can be dazzling, with blacks that are sufficiently deep. Contrast is good, and the image possesses excellent depth and dimensionality which is noticeable in dockside shots and cramped boat interiors alike. Based on my examination of the enclosed Blu-ray, which possessed a very good transfer, most of these gains are to be considered more modest rather than revelatory. The most significant concern I have regarding the transfer is the warmer push to skin tones, which typically present as tending more towards the tan or sepia end of the spectrum. Directionally, this seems to be in line with what was seen on the preceding Blu-ray where skin tones had that tendency, but they move further down the spectrum here and it feels like a purposeful choice. Other concerns involve some overly dark submarine interiors, though these are most probably a choice or a push for realism rather than a defect. More likely an issue is some softness that bubbles to the surface from time to time, such as the U-boat exterior scene at the 29-minute mark as the Germans are trying to decide whether or not to open fire on the occupants of a lifeboat. The cable-knit sweater worn by one of the men loses much of the definition in its structure, and fine details of the leather coats, faces, and the machine gun see a dip as well. This is just one instance of several. Still, it's a pleasing and enjoyable transfer.

Screenshots are sourced from the 4K UHD discs and downscaled to 1080 and are in SDR.

U-571 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

While I am somewhat puzzled by the absence of a Dolby Atmos track, it's fair to say that the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track that accompanies U- 571 4K is no slouch. You can read about that track here.

U-571 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The supplemental features included on the 4K UHD disc are a patchwork of what has come before. The bulk of the features are lighter fare brought over from the HD-DVD release, and they are discussed below. The other extra is a commentary track that previously appeared on the 2008 Blu-ray disc. No new extras were crafted for this release which is timed to coincide with the film's 25th anniversary.

• Spotlight on Location (14.26) - Director Jonathan Mostow, members of the cast, and producers Dino and Martha DeLaurentiis discuss the origins of the project and the making of the film.

• Creating and Constructing 'U-571'- (6.19) - Director Jonathan Mostow and others discuss constructing a full-sized, 600- ton seaworthy vessel for the filming of the movie.

• Inside the Enigma (6.56) - Cryptologist David Kahn provides a history of codebreaking and the machine called the Enigma used in World War II.

• Britain Captures the U-110 (9.31) - Director Jonathan Mostow interviews Lt. Commander David Balme, the man who captured an Enigma machine during WWII.

• A Submariner's WWII Experince (8.07) - Director Jonathan Mostow interviews Vice Admiral Patrick Hannifin, USN (Ret.) who had significant submarine experience and served as an advisor for the film.

• U.S. Naval Archives: Capturing the U-505 (3.24) - Vintage newsreel footage of a an attack on a German U-boat in WWII.

• Feature Commentary with Director Jonathan Mostow - Brought forward from the 2008 Blu-ray, you can read about the track please follow here.

U-571 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Competently-crafted World War II films never seem to lose their appeal, and while this particular tale may not be inhibited or incumbered by the facts, it is certainly populated with a steady stream of tense action scenes. The reliable Paxton and Keitel deliver as one would expect in their roles, and they're ably assisted by McConaughey. With fantastic sets and sound design, the film is engaging from every angle. A new Dolby Atmos track would have been appreciated, but the DTS-HD MA track performs well enough. And while the newly minted 2160p presentation offers some modest improvements, there are still a few elements that prevent it from achieving perfection. For the film's fans looking for an upgrade or those who have yet to add the film to their collections, U-571 comes recommended.