Cool News
Jonathan Mostow writes and shows pics from the making of U-571
Hey folks, Harry here. I was just smack dab in the middle of writing my review for U-571 tonight when lo and behold, ol Jonathan Mostow himself comes a popping in with an email and a whole buncha photos he's letting us show all of you good film followers. You'll be seeing my full review later tonight, but I will say this about the film. This isn't DAS BOOT. I've always felt that DAS BOOT was a drama first, with action second. U-571 is an action/suspense film, and does that exceptionally well. I took about 20 folks I know to a screening that was being put on by the University Filmmaker's Alliance here in Austin and with the exception of 3, everyone really enjoyed the hell out of it. Those 3 felt the script was left wanting in terms of dialogue. But... you'll read about that in my review, where I personally feel they got it right. Talk atcha soon about this one, now... Here's Mr Mostow and his purty pics....
Dear Harry:
As you know, U-571 hits theaters this week. On behalf of all of us who
worked on the movie, thank you for posting the enthusiastic reviews from
readers who've seen advance screenings.
One the of things I'm really proud of in this movie is the fact that we actually
built a full-scale 600 ton diesel-powered submarine replica. For your
readers who like behind-the-scenes materials, I'm attaching some of my
personal photos from the set. These photos have never seen the light of
day, so at least for the next week, they're exclusive to your site.
With appreciation,
Jonathan Mostow
THESE FOUR SHOTS SHOW VARIOUS STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION OF THE 600 TON
SEAWORTHY DIESEL-POWERED SUBMARINE WE BUILT FOR THE MOVIE. CONSTRUCTION
TOOK A FULL YEAR.
HERE'S THE SUBMARINE DURING SEA TRIALS.
THIS SHOWS A PORTION OF THE LARGEST RAINSTORM EVER CREATED FOR A MOTION
PICTURE. WE PUMPED OVER 15,000 GALLONS OF WATER PER MINUTE - SO MUCH, IN
FACT, THAT WE HAD RUN ENORMOUS HOSES TO DRAW THE WATER FROM THE OCEAN.
THIS ILLUSTRATION SHOWS A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE TWO SUBMARINES WE USE IN
THE STORY - A GERMAN TYPE VII U-BOAT AND AN AMERICAN S-CLASS SUBMARINE
DISGUISED TO RESEMBLE A U-BOAT.
THESE TWO SHOTS SHOW SOME OF THE DIFFICULTY OF TAKING A MOVIE CREW TO SEA
ABOARD A NARROW SUBMARINE.
OUR INTERIOR SEQUENCES WERE SHOT ON SETS BUILT ON A SOUNDSTAGE. HERE'S A
GLIMPSE AT THE U-BOAT ENGINE ROOM. THE SETS ARE EXTREMELY AUTHENTIC. OUR
PRODUCTION DESIGNERS USED BLUEPRINTS FROM THE ACTUAL BOATS.
HERE'S WHAT THE SETS LOOK LIKE FROM THE OUTSIDE. EACH COMPARTMENT WAS BUILT
AS A MODULAR UNIT THAT COULD BE LIFTED WITH A CRANE AND PLACED ON A MASSIVE
HYDRAULIC GIMBAL (ALSO CONSTRUCTED FOR THE MOVIE) WHICH COULD SIMULATE DEPTH
CHARGE ATTACKS WITH VIOLENT MOVEMENTS ALONG THE X, Y AND Z AXIS.
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+ Expand All
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At least they seem to have made an effort in (read; spent a shitload of money) making the sub look real, that's about all I can say at this point...
BTW Check out "Das Boot" again, it RULES!!! -
Das Boot is a pretty cool movie, don't know about this though....
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Jonathan Mostow's BREAKDOWN was probably the most suspenseful hollywood genre film I had seen in years. Aside from Seven. Both films had me white-knuckling it the whole way. Despite what some have said, BREAKDOWN was amovie with integrity. Yes even the climatictic chase/cliffhanger did it for me. Some saw it as over the top but it was directed with true flair. Woulda liked to have seen an epilogue with the 2 leads that showed them post ordeal, in the their normal lives having grown or changed by the ecperience, something that's almost impossible to find in thrillers (original draft of 8mm had it). Looking forward to this sub picture. The Tv spots look badass. Los Gordos out and out.
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I'm a sucker for submarine movies and this does look very good. However, anyone know whether the English get namechecked at any point as, if I remember correctly, they were actually responsible for capturing the ENIGMA machine?
Al -
Responsible for capturing the Enigma-machine, that is...:-)
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Mostow is a very smart man in releasing these pics...this, combined with the great reviews of the film guarantee that butts are going to be put in the seats...and the great part about it, from everything I've heard, they're going to earn those butts in the seats...this looks like a pretty damn good movie, and I'm looking forward to seeing it. And to those asking about the English and the Enigma device...well, this has been covered a lot on the talkback section about a month ago (with the usual TB bile, rancor, random patriotism, jingoism, and general name-calling that accompanies any decent talkback)...I'm not sure if the movie acknowledges the debt to the English as such, but both Mostow and the general talkback crew have gotten the news out that this is fiction, not history. -Loki
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Well, maybe that's a touch extreme, but he's certainly one hell of a director. "Breakdown" was a taut, suspenseful drama with one of the best car-chase scenes in recent memory, and this film just looks better and better with every glimpse. I think Mostow's a director who we'll be seeing even greater things from in the years to come.
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Thank you very much for the background shots. It's actually nice to see this type of reaction from film makers.
Im seeing this film this weekend and am looking forward to it very much.
Great work, see yeah at the movies.
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I was wondering if anyone could tell me where the music in the "Patriot" trailer is from? I know this is off-topic, but all "Patriot" info is buried back a few days, and I doubt anyone is posting there. Thanks!
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Thanks for sharing, Jonathan. I wish more directors would use AICN in such a fashion; although, I could probably do without Nora Ephron letting us fanboys in on the writing process behind HANGING UP.
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Personally, I'd like to have writer/director Luca Bercovici give us a look at the creative process behind "Rockula". Or Marc Singer's insights into the philisophical tenets inherent in the "Beastmaster" trilogy. Seriously though, having Mostow give fans a look at the film was a really cool move. I hope other directors follow suit.
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I guess we've just got to sit back and let this happen.
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Apr 17, 2000 10:42:27 AM CDT
``With appreciation'' ill say!! thers nothing like free publicit
by mr logic
``What a nice man sending me photos of his movie'' thinks Harry diligently loading them up on his site.
``What a clever bastard I am'' thinks Mostow rubbing his hands and watching the talkback sprout. -
Damn! Guess there's no fooling you. We know *why* he's doing it, Logic, but, seeing as how many of us missed out on the press kit, we still enjoy checking out the photos.
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...when I'm looking at these photos. Even after seeing this film already, these pics show exactly how authentic everything looks in the film. And hooray for Jonathan to be one of the first filmmakers to realize the possibilities of internet publicity.
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It took him six years to get his movie made. None of the studios would listen and thought the idea wouldn't make any money. I hope its a big hit for him!
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...an industry type gettin' in with his would-be fan base. now if only lucas would get the hint... feel the force, lucas, get your fat ass in gear...
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Jonathon Mostow is my new hero. Very nice behind the scenes photos. Well appreciated. Usually, the directors are very secretive and suspicious over their work being seen and mulled over in these web sites. Usually, spies do the dirty work. But now we have a director letting us take a gander at the whole store! By the way, I don't sense the 'free publicity' angle as much as the others do. This is just really nice. I'm sorry I can't say anything more substantive, but this is just nice.
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I was at the private screening at the Loews Century City and I enjoyed the movie. It had the right feel and moved along at a very good pace. I did not take the opportunity to approach you after the movie to congratulate the job that you and your crew did. The sub shots with the replica were incredible. The cast was superb (tho i felt McConaughy overacted just a tad, everyone else had a strong performance). Now, if only all theaters had the sound system that the Loews had, as the sound mix and effects really made your movie all the more enjoyable. To be honest, the only drawbacks were the shots of some of the miniatures from below and a couple composites of the destroyer (but what does Peter Donen know? he sucks as a visual effects supervisor, just look at Executive Decision). All in all, a very solid movie. And if you don't mind, I do compare this to Saving Private Ryan... same type of bonding, same type of tension, similar 'secret' mission.. just that this movie held my attention a bit longer than SPR did... hope you don't mind that comparison. Hoping this does well for you at the box office. Look forward to more from you in the future...
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And Harry, about that animation in the corner. The face looks very Wallace-ish but the body looks more like a monkey than a chicken. If it's a chicken, then where's the tail? If it is a monkey -body, then is that a big round white turd? My dog used to crap white turds and it died. I hope you are okay, man.
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Yes! it's all so clear now, I can see this movie doing good bussiness at the box office. CYL
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It could be that new diet Harry's been talking about. Even so, this could be cause for concern. Please take care of yourself, Harry.
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About the top animation. Harry must have a pretty powerful colon to get a whole egg through those tight brown undies. Or whatever that is. I just re-read what I wrote and I feel sick after typing the words- Harry's colon. There I go again....urp!
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If Paco the "Drywall King" ever gets out of line, you can always send him back to Corman's Gulag for some edification and bemusement. Good casting. Hope its a huge hit for you. And remember, have a good laugh at the people that turned you down. You can't argue with success, pal!
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U-571 is an excellent movie.I
LOVED it.Matthew McConaughey is a
great actor.So was almost everyone
else in the movie.(U-571 is my
favorite movie out of all the
movies I have ever seen.And it
always will be.)(And Matthew
McConaughey is my favorite actor.
And he always will be.)U-571 is a
great movie with lots of action
and suspense.
I'm making a scrapbook out of
U-571 articles,pictures,and
whatever.If you have anything I
can use email me at
WhateverGirl_2@yahoo.com.
Heroes are ordinary men
who do extraordinary things
in extraordinary times.
On this day,in the height of the
war-Men lost.Battles won.
We remember the U-boat war.
From U-571.
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