Character Relationships in U-571

Lt. Andrew Tyler (played by Matthew McConaughey) is a protagonist in U-571. Tyler is the executive officer of S-33 and the mission's central leader. Although Dahlgren doubts his ability to issue orders decisively, Tyler commands the boarding operation, takes U-571 into combat, manages its desperate escape, and ultimately leads the crew to destroy the pursuing destroyer. Lt. Cmdr. Mike Dahlgren (played by Bill Paxton) is a protagonist in U-571. Dahlgren commands S-33 and initially blocks Tyler's recommendation for submarine command because he believes Tyler hesitates under pressure. Mortally wounded after S-33 is torpedoed, Dahlgren orders Tyler to dive the captured U-571 with the surviving boarding party, enabling Tyler's transformation into the mission's commander. Lt. Pete Emmett (played by Jon Bon Jovi) appears in U-571. Emmett is a lieutenant serving with the S-33 mission crew. He participates in the operation to seize U-571 and is killed when the American submarine is torpedoed by a German resupply submarine. His death reduces Tyler's available crew and intensifies the survivors' struggle to operate the captured vessel. Steward Eddie Carson (played by Terrence 'T.C.' Carson) appears in U-571. Eddie is the cook from S-33 and one of the two survivors found after the American submarine is destroyed. Wassner initially hides among the survivors, but Eddie later helps Mazzola subdue him after the sabotage and shooting. Eddie then remains with Tyler's crew during the final escape. Seaman Herb Griggs (played by Derk Cheetwood) appears in U-571. Griggs is a seaman involved in the initial boarding of U-571. He is mortally wounded during the surprise attack, and Tyler tries to tend to him while the captured Germans are being confronted. His condition contributes to the tense moment in which Wentz must speak German for the boarding party. Seaman Charles 'Tank' Clemens (played by Dave Power) appears in U-571. Tank is the seaman responsible for critical repairs aboard U-571 after the boarding party takes control. Once he gets the submarine operating again, Tyler can steer it toward Land's End. During the final attack, Tank follows Tyler's order and fires the last torpedo that sinks the pursuing destroyer. Seaman Anthony Mazzola (played by Erik Palladino) appears in U-571. Mazzola is a seaman aboard the captured U-571 who doubts Tyler's leadership. He considers defying Tyler during the encounter with the reconnaissance plane and is punched by Tyler. After Wassner sabotages the motor and shoots him twice, Mazzola helps Eddie overpower Wassner before dying during the depth-charge escape. Ens. Keith Larson (played by Matthew Settle) appears in U-571. Larson is an ensign serving with the S-33 crew and the boarding mission against U-571. He is killed when the American submarine is torpedoed by a German resupply submarine after the boarding party secures the damaged vessel, leaving Tyler and the remaining survivors to continue without him.

Character Relationship Map: U-571

U-571 (2000) Poster

U-571 (2000) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.

Characters

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

Story Analysis

A captured submarine crew must survive enemy pursuit, internal sabotage, and impossible mechanical odds to deliver the Enigma machine.

Plot Progression

  1. The Distress Signal
  2. The False German Boat
  3. Command Beneath Fire
  4. The Hidden Saboteur
  5. The Last Torpedo

Directed by Jonathan Mostow

U-571 (2000) · 6.6/10 · action, adventure, war

Content sources

Plot analysis generated from content on Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Related entry on Wikidata (Q576367), public domain (CC0).