In Enemy Hands is a frightening thriller about a meningitis outbreak aboard a German UBoat in 1942 at the beginning of the end of WWII. The particular UBoat is numbered U429 and there are sources that say this film is based on a true story. Having destroyed an American sub and most of her crewmen, U429 brings a handful of injured and sick survivors aboard, at least 2 of whom have been exposed to the deadly menigitis.
Over a period of a few days or weeks, the disease sweeps through the tiny sub, killing more and more men, until the German UBoat captain is forced to try to cooperate with the American prisoners they have brought aboard. they have to make a choice: work together or die.
U571, the Matthew McConnahey/Bill Paxton movie that came out about 3 years before this, was also about Americans aboard a UBoat, only in that case they commandeered it. U571 could be thought of as a somewhat better made and more successful film, but In Enemy Hands is not anywhere near as crummy as it has been described by some really discriminating reviewers at imdb.com.
U429 (the title used in other countries) has a great story, proves to be much more frightening to be honest, than U571. Both movies have good casts (American and German) and good acting. The Germans were human, not stereotyped, but three-dimensional. Most of them compassionate to the Americans plight. Some of them understandably angry at the Captain. The Americans were brave but also very afraid for their lives. There is action in the film, but it's mostly based on human battles not weaponry.
That's why I liked this movie.
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