Operation Seawolf (2022) Movie Script

1
SOMEWHERE IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN
MAY 12TH, 1918
The torpedoes are ready.
Orders, sir?
There it is.
It's ready for firing.
To battle stations!
Battle stations!
Battle stations.
- Captain!
- Yes, my boy?
Happy hunting.
Good job, Hans.
The wave will pass.
Remember your training,
it will serve you well.
Alarm!
Prepare torpedoes one and two for firing!
- Captain?!
- Fire at will!
Flood one and two!
Fire at will!
45 seconds for impact.
Sir, what is going on?
The ship is coming directly towards us.
Ram us?
All power
towards the engines, hurry.
Sir, we must
try for the surface.
Yes.
Hurry up.
Get off the boat.
Abandon ship.
Abandon ship!
Abandon ship.
Sir.
You'll make a good
captain one day, Kessler.
It's my duty.
US NAVY ATLANTIC FLEET COMMAND
NORFOLK, VIRGINIA APRIL 27TH, 1945
Sir, Operation Sea Wolf.
The Germans are preparing a
missile-armed submarine attack
against the United States coast.
V-1 rockets attached
to Type Nine submarines?
Looks like it, sir.
Who's this?
Senior
Commander Heinrich Kessler,
13th Flotilla, Iron Cross winner,
wounded in the Great War.
U-Boat ace since the beginning.
Pegged to command his wolf pack.
This is a very dangerous man.
All right, keep me
informed of any updates.
Yes, sir.
TRONDHEIM, NORWAY
...however,
we have now completed an armament,
as the world has not seen before.
I have...
...after he rejected that...
...I have equipped Germany
in these five years.
I have spent billions on it,
the German nation
has to know that now. I have...
We have created the best air
and tank defense in the world.
Through tireless work, day and night.
I approached all
the seemingly impossible problems
with the firm will...
It's propaganda.
You Germans and propaganda.
I must go.
If it's all propaganda,
why must you go?
Duty.
Oh, what is duty, leaving
everything you love behind?
MILITARY NAVY
COMMAND POST NORWAY
I keep them there
to remember.
Once, this room
was filled with friends.
But now,
we are all that is left.
How are you, my friend?
- Good?
- Good.
Good.
Commander.
Heil Hitler.
Heil Hitler.
Even at the end,
we are soldiers.
Gentlemen, I need a moment
alone with this man.
Please.
We have much to discuss,
not a lot of time.
Follow me.
Yes, sir.
What are my orders, Commander?
Why am I here?
Straight to the point.
It is no secret, the U-boats
have been performing poorly.
The British and the Americans
have made
it a priority to hunt us down.
The Fuhrer has not been pleased.
The Fuhrer needed more boats,
ask to bring in the others.
Let me show you something.
You see this?
It's the American coast.
New York City, the heart
of the American war effort.
Operation Sea Wolf.
We tried these operations,
we have failed.
V-1 rocket,
Hitler's wonder weapon.
We shall equip these
rockets to our U-boats
and attack the American coast.
Our fleets will strike fear
into the heart of the enemy.
You will lead the pack.
At the beginning of the war,
our pack ruled the waves,
steel, blood, fire, fear.
These were our thoughts.
Now we have our dreams
of one of our person,
victory is out of our grasp.
The Fuhrer has spared no
expense for this operation.
No expense.
None.
A pack needs wolves.
Let me show you some wolves.
Attention.
Your wolves.
These are not wolves but boys.
Young boys.
Were you and
I much different from them?
When the war started,
I spent nine months with my
men before going into action.
They have had the finest
training Germany has to offer.
Do they know what the risks are?
They know the risks.
They are ready to die
for country and Fuhrer.
These are not Kriegsmarine.
Then teach them Kriegsmarine.
I will do it.
Operation Sea Wolf.
You will leave with three ships.
Seven more will join you
when you are out to sea.
10 boats.
You will be the spear
point for more to follow.
And I'll see our targets?
Allied shipping lanes,
north of New York.
The missile attack?
New York City.
Departure?
The crews await your word.
I believe I'd first,
I like to meet my
officers and see the boat.
I would expect nothing less.
The officers of U-546.
You, Lieutenant.
Lieutenant Erich Reinhart, sir.
Acting captain of U-546.
Captain?
Reinhart was
in line to be captain,
but under your leadership
he was glad to step aside.
Isn't that right, Lieutenant?
I'm looking forward to
serving under your command.
The boat?
Lieutenant Lutz.
- Operational?
- Engines are ready, sir.
Lieutenant Handel Speer, sir.
The crew is in high morale, sir.
Good, good.
Good. Let's go inspect
my boat and get some food.
Sea Wolf.
Let the Commander know
I need to see him now.
Yes, sir.
Commander?
Come in.
Operation Sea Wolf is a go.
Confirmed?
Just came over
the wires, confirmed by Enigma.
War room.
- We got our work to do.
- Yes, sir.
In unprecedented
demonstrations of millions
the entire German nation has united today
to work, to their values,
their moral ethos
and to their national solidarity.
This evening, across national,
and denominational differences,
the whole German nation comes together,
to finally...
Morning, sir.
Well, Heinrich.
The time has come.
The ghosts stay here in port.
It's now just you,
the crew, and the mission.
Are you prepared?
If the crew is half as good
as the boats, I'm confident
under the circumstances.
There it is then.
I leave you to your second
home, the sea and the ship.
Good luck, my friend.
Good luck to you.
Attention.
At ease.
I know you do not know me.
I do not know you.
The men of the sea are
a special brotherhood,
a bond forged out of the ocean.
A U-boat's
crew is life, the blood.
Our worth will be measured
to surface of the sea.
I know each one of
you will do your duty.
I will not disappoint you.
Do not disappoint me.
All hands to stations.
You heard the Captain.
All hands to stations.
Take her out, engine six
knots, starboard 108 degrees.
Yes Captain, Lutz.
Ollie, engine six knots,
starboard 108 degrees.
Captain, the boat
is sailing at six knots.
Diesels are running
smoothly, batteries charged.
Good. Take her down
to periscope depth.
Want her under the surface.
Yes, Captain.
Periscope depth.
Periscope depth.
Intelligence has
indicated the U-boat pack
has left their pens at Trondheim
and are making for open ocean.
They'll drop down into
the Northern fishing lanes.
They'll hide in and out of them.
They will be using snorkels,
it's hard to track.
Yeah, they'll be going slow.
Give us a chance to get
into position and intercept.
The 10th fleet is ready with
escort carriers and destroyers.
Okay, contact Commander Emmetts.
Split his forces, half
goes north, half south.
I don't wanna take any chances.
Nothing better than a wolf hunt.
No, sir.
THE UNITED STATES 10TH FLEET CAPTAIN
SAMUEL L. GRAVELY JR. THE USS PC-1264
Port four degrees,
right full rudder.
- Keep her steady.
- Aye aye, sir.
Port four degrees,
right turn rudder.
Captain, orders from Emmetts.
Yes, sir?
Thank you, sir.
Starboard,
right runner, 10 knots.
Changing course.
Operation Teardrop is a go.
They're really going
to let us hunt subs?
Oh, we are in the hunt.
Yes, sir.
- Helmsman?
- Aye aye, sir.
Don't be like that, you wimp.
- Do you guys have anything for me?
- No, shut up.
What I'd give for a good beer right now.
Are you ready for battle,
my fellow soldiers?
- Yes.
- We will defeat them.
I have a bag of potatoes here.
And I also have chocolate.
- No, no.
- Great.
- All right?
- Yes, well done.
Yes.
Apologies, Captain.
I haven't had a chance
to finish cleaning out
my personal belongings.
Hitler youth.
His blood, his honor.
It was my brother's.
He was killed in
Normandy by Americans.
I'm sorry to
hear that, Lieutenant.
Now, I understand
I'm taking your command
of this boat away.
You are my second in command,
you must obey all my
orders without question.
Is that clear?
Yes, Captain.
On this boat, we all
have a duty to perform.
Under my command, what matters
is the defeat of the enemy,
the lives of the crew, and
the safety of this boat.
Understood?
Yes, sir.
Good.
Now what's your report?
U-894 is falling behind.
Why is he falling behind?
Engine trouble.
Radio U-578, let him know.
Yes, sir.
Keep her sturdy and on course.
We have to make up for
any time we might lose.
Yes, Captain.
- Sleeping little boy?
- Sleeping.
Do you plan on using that?
What?
I hope not on me.
Don't tempt me.
I never got my knife.
My family couldn't afford it.
Didn't have enough money.
How is our new Captain?
Settled into my quarters.
The whole crew is on your side.
Men like Kessler,
their time has passed.
Get the diesels up and running.
Send reports every 20 minutes.
Captain's orders.
- Heil Hitler.
- Heil Hitler.
Heil Hitler.
Helmsman.
Right rudder, 20 degrees.
Maintaining current course.
Sir, we have sonar contact.
- Ships on the surface?
- I think so, sir.
What is it?
Contact with the enemy.
Do you have the boats confirmed?
Reinhart, check.
Yes, sir.
Should I get the captain?
Not yet.
Reinhart, report!
Sir, multiple
ships coming in fast.
The other U-boats
were reporting the same.
I have visual contact.
- Convoy?
- Yes.
U-578 is asking to engage.
What should we tell them?
This could be our first kill.
We can't give that order.
We need the captain.
Give the order to engage.
Yes, sir.
Now get the Captain.
Yes, sir.
Why have the diesels stopped?
Captain, enemy contact,
convoy merchant vessels,
U-578 has started to engage.
Who gave that order?
Torpedoes in the water!
Captain, torpedoes in the water.
Up periscope, move.
Up periscope!
It's a hit.
It's a hit.
Another hit. Another hit.
Ready the torpedoes.
I will call off the ranges.
Battle stations.
Battle stations!
Battle stations,
battle stations,
battle stations,
battle stations!
Sir, a convoy was just hit.
Looks like U-Boats.
- Where?
- Grid section 473.
That's our pack. Launch
all the birds from Greely.
I want all
available forces on that spot.
- I'll inform the 10th.
- I need all eyes out there.
- Yes, sir.
- Go.
The snorkel is
giving us trouble.
It'd be better if
we get to the surface.
Damaged?
Hard to tell unless
we get to the surface.
Call the engine room.
- Yeah?
- The electric motor's charging?
Not sufficiently.
The diesels?
Might be best to
do a surface check.
Right.
What's going on?
Batteries are
not fully charging.
We need to go to the surface
and check the snorkel.
Take it to the surface.
Radio?
Inform the other
boats we are surfacing
for a maintenance check.
Yes, sir.
Rouse the deck crew!
Take us to the surface.
Yes, sir.
Where's the Captain?
Passed out again.
Keep her steady.
I don't need
anybody going overboard.
We have an issue.
- What is it?
- See for yourself.
What is going on?
Get the machine guns
from the weapons rack.
Weapons!
Survivors?
It's not clear.
We can't take on survivors.
Ready the deck guns,
we can't take any chances.
Won't the Captain notice?
He will think he gave the order.
Right.
Is that a deck gun?
- Yes, sir.
- Who are they shooting at?
We spotted lifeboats.
I thought it best
to leave no survivors.
I did not give that order.
Can't the survivors
give away our location?
Idiot.
We could be spotted.
Sir, who could see us out here?
Aircraft.
Get the men below. Now, go.
All hands to battle stations.
Prepare the ship to dive.
Inform the other submarines
of evasive action.
Engine room,
95% to both engines.
Now.
There!
Quickly.
They're coming!
What is going on?
We're under air attack.
Fire at will!
Get up, we don't have much time.
Speer.
Speer!
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Pull the ballast.
We need to dive, now.
Prepare to dive.
Close the ballast.
They are coming in
for the another attack.
Where's the others?
They are dead.
Sir, we can...
You put the life of this
crew and this boat in danger.
Lieutenant Lutz,
confine Lieutenant Reinhart
to the mess
quarters under guard.
- Sir.
- You must decide whose orders you follow.
Dive. Dive!
Sir, Navy planes
have engaged the sub.
- What's the location?
- Grid section 9-47-4.
Get the fleet to make
for grid section 1455.
- This could be our break. Go ahead.
- Yes, sir.
Left full rudder.
- Left full rudder.
- Yes, sir.
Sir, U-578 has
made sonar contact
with ships on the surface.
Up periscope.
- Yes, sir.
- Up periscope.
Periscope depth, sir.
Take it down to 50 meters.
Sir?
American destroyers, carriers.
50 meters, sir.
Ollie.
- Up five, down 10.
- Yes, sir.
Now hear this,
this is the Captain.
We made surface
contact with enemy ships.
We'll
the ships head on.
We're underneath them.
Close enough for
the sonar not to pick up.
With any luck,
we'll pass unnoticed.
Keep on the present course.
Yes, sir.
We should be under the boats,
in the clear, seven minutes.
Seven minutes?
Set.
Sir.
Something on sonar.
Have the jersey
bear 20 degrees port.
Aye, sir.
Wait for my orders and then
proceed to drop depth charges.
Port 15 degrees, half speed.
Right standard rudder.
Aye aye, sir.
Four minutes.
There you go, sir.
Thank you.
Sir, contact bearing
two niner five port side.
- Go for jersey.
- Yes, sir.
- Drop depth charges.
- Aye, sir.
Two minutes.
Come on, come on.
Launch hedgehogs!
Sir?
Oil slick on the water.
We got 'em!
The 10th is reporting contact
and taking men in a sub.
- Just one?
- For now.
It's a pack!
- There's more than one.
- Right, sir.
Tell them to keep hunting. Go.
We are safe.
Sir, we've lost
contact with U-578.
Nothing but static.
We continue.
We have our orders.
Keep her steady, six knots.
We surface at nightfall.
Yes, sir.
The captain needs small arms.
Two machine pistols.
I'm going to need to confirm.
Sir.
The 10th has lost sonar contact.
They are sweeping the area, but
so far, no new developments.
If there were more boats,
they got away.
Keep 'em sweeping
back towards the coast.
Contact the Coast Guard
and double their patrols.
Keep their eyes open.
Yes, sir.
Sergeant.
Let them know we have to
join the other U-boats.
Yes, sir.
Attack on the United
States coast is imminent.
Yes, sir.
Sir.
We have a problem.
What?
It's Lieutenant Reinhart.
Stay back.
Reinhart.
Stay back!
Lieutenant,
hand that pistol over.
We'll forget
about this incident.
I got those men killed.
They are dead because of me.
I failed my ship.
I failed the crew,
and I failed you.
Your failure, with thanks
to my poor leadership.
Hand the pistol over.
I said stay back!
During the Great War,
a new branch of service,
U-boat, became available.
Many of my peers volunteered.
Few were chosen.
I was one of the few.
My first day at sea,
a man was washed overboard.
I asked the captain to start
a rescue operation, he refused.
On a U-boat, every man's
decided his own fate.
Destiny takes control.
We cannot look back.
We must look forward.
My duty is to use every man on
this ship to complete our mission.
That includes you, Reinhart.
Do not let the mistakes of your
past determine your future.
Your watch starts
in five minutes. Go.
Yes, Captain.
We have contact.
We are close to the coast.
Yes, sir.
Notify the engine room.
Cut power to the diesels.
Yes, sir.
Where's Lieutenant Reinhart?
He's on watch.
I'm going up top.
Yes, sir.
Cold night.
Yes, sir.
If we keep her on our
starboard, she won't notice us.
How?
At night,
the outline of our boat
will line up with her stern.
A blind spot?
Yes.
Make sure to keep
her on our starboard.
Yes, sir.
Wonderful one.
Sir?
I was part of the wonderful
youth when I was a boy.
I've heard of them, sir.
Good, carry on Lieutenant.
Yes, sir.
Word from
the 10th fleet in the south.
They have just
sunk three U-boats.
What about the north?
- Nothing yet, sir.
- Nothing.
Don't like it.
One could sneak through.
They'll be
closing in. We will find them.
Sir,
engines are performing 100%.
We should be upon
New York Harbor in a day.
Have we heard
from the other U-boats?
No, sir.
How long would it take to
ready us to launch the attack?
Should take five, six hours
to load the missile on deck.
We don't have
time to make mistakes.
We can't make mistakes, sir.
Ships
on the horizon, captain.
Merchant?
They look like Navy ships.
Sir, I have multiple
contacts on the sonar.
They're coming in fast.
Battle stations.
Battle stations!
Ships on our starboard and port.
American warships.
- Have they spotted us?
- Not yet.
Could at any minute.
Load the torpedoes, the
target is the merchant ship.
- We are going to attack?
- Yes, Lieutenant, now go.
Yes, sir.
Torpedoes
await your command, sir.
Port 90 degrees.
Port 90 degrees.
Port 90 degrees, sir.
Loose torpedo number one.
Fire at will!
Loose torpedo number two.
Loose torpedo number two.
- Fire!
- Fire!
Ready tubes three and four.
Ready tubes three and four.
1,000 meters.
800 meters,
400 meters,
300 meters.
100 meters.
Impact, now.
Hit on one.
Hit on two.
What are the Americans doing?
The ships are heading
towards the merchant vessel.
On our starboard.
We can't let them spot us. Go.
American destroyer
is still approaching.
We will hit her.
Periscope depth.
Yes, sir.
Periscope depth!
Periscope depth.
Ollie, two degrees.
Mark right,
two knots. Full rudder.
Yes, sir.
Mark right two knots,
full rudder.
Loose torpedo number three.
Fire number three.
Loose torpedo number four.
Fire number four.
It should have hit by now.
We still have one more.
- Ah, hit on four!
- Hit on four!
Take it down to
150 meters, four knots.
Now we run.
Any news from the 10th?
A merchant vessel
was in the vicinity when they arrived.
What else?
One of our destroyers,
The Cole, was hit and sunk.
The 10th is
conducting rescue operations.
Tomorrow morning, New York
may wake up to German rockets.
I want you to move the entire
southern force to the New York Harbor.
Can't take any chances.
Haskell, I want the U-boat
found, no more mistakes.
Yes, sir.
Make sure this goes to command.
Yes, sir.
The attack
did not take the Germans
by surprise since they had
observed the preparations files
for a long time. Generalized
Eisenhower's communique
today said that
the Allied forces attacking
in the
established bridgeheads
over the northern
and western canals.
The report from
the Fhrer's headquarters is,
that our "Fhrer", Adolf Hitler -
in his command post
at the Reich Chancellery -
has been fighting to the last breath
against Bolshevism
and has been killed in action for Germany.
On the thirtieth...
It is a message from Kessler.
He's almost upon New York.
Does he know?
If he doesn't,
he will soon enough.
How did you choose a man
like Kessler for this mission?
Kessler has lost everything.
What better for
command than a man
that does not
have anything to lose?
Heil Hitler.
Sir, we're here.
New York.
Lieutenant Lutz, you've done
a fine job on this mission.
Fine job, indeed.
Thank you, sir.
Should be
quite a sight up there.
New York City.
Permission to proceed up top?
Permission granted.
This warrants
the occasion.
I've never seen such a thing.
Hard to describe.
You have seen before?
The beginning of the war.
Did we ever
have a chance to win?
No.
We follow our orders.
Hey Reinhart, hang on to this.
Yes, sir.
Has been canceled
in order to bring you
reports from overseas.
We have just heard the news
here over our monitoring service
that Adolf Hitler is dead.
The announcement came in
an official communique...
Let's get below.
The American radios...
For your eyes only.
Admiral Donitz, general
orders to stand down.
Await further instructions.
- Does the crew know?
- Not yet.
Is it true?
- Hitler dead?
- Must be true.
Propaganda.
American propaganda
is not like our propaganda.
What do we do?
Have the men
assemble the rocket.
But the Admiral, he said...
Hold and await
further instructions.
We may only get one
chance. I want to be ready.
If we work the men in shifts,
we can assemble it faster.
I will see it is done.
This is our chance.
We will be ready.
Yes, sir.
This is the captain, hear this.
We're at the gates of our enemy.
We will prepare to attack.
Oh, thanks.
Nights like these,
we can all use a cup.
What is it?
Hitler is dead.
Just announced.
War is done.
- Sir?
- Yeah?
Kessler.
What about him?
His file indicates he lost his
family in the Dresden fire bombings.
All of them?
Yes.
Got nothing to lose.
He doesn't care about Hitler.
Put the 10th on high alert.
Sir.
I miss you.
Sir, she is ready.
See the fine work
you've done, Lieutenant.
Attention!
Men, each one of
you should be proud
to call yourself German.
You're all true Kriegsmarine.
Sir, we have contact at 8573.
- Merchant?
- American Navy.
Sir, they found us.
Can we fire
the rocket from here?
We need to get closer to
the shore to fire the rocket.
We're still too far away.
Sir, your orders?
Sir, we have contact.
- Is it her?
- Yes, sir.
Sound general quarters.
General
quarters, general quarters.
Men.
Hitler is dead.
We have two options.
Surrender or fight.
We are with you, sir.
We fight.
Helmsman,
take the boat 93 degrees,
six knots.
Yes, sir.
- Battle stations.
- Battle stations!
Battle stations!
Sir,
they made contact.
They found her?
Latest reports had them
closing in on her position.
Just a matter of time.
Checkmate. Checkmate!
Sir, the signal's
getting stronger.
It's getting closer?
Sir, it's coming straight at us.
On this course, we are
going straight into warships.
Prepare to dive.
Prepare to dive!
Keep on this course
through the shallows.
Sir, on this course
we will split them.
They cannot fire their depth
charges so close to their own boats.
Increase speed, eight knots.
Yes, sir.
Increase speed.
Increase speed, eight knots.
- You find her?
- No.
It appears to be attacking.
What? How?
Captain, the U-boat's
coming up alongside us, sir.
Get on the surface guns.
Yes, sir.
You heard him, get on the
surface guns, let's go.
Captain,
the guns aren't long enough.
Sir, she's going to get away.
I don't think so.
Sir, we are clear.
Sir, there are
more ships on the sonar.
Captain, the rest of
the 10th has arrived.
Right on cue.
How much closer?
We should be in range.
We take
our chances on the surface.
Blow the ballast.
Yes, sir.
Blow the ballast!
Blow the ballast!
Captain, the sub.
It has surfaced.
What? Attacking?
Come see.
Is it attacking?
I think it's about to fire.
Fire what?
It's a rocket.
All due respect, sir, I wanna
see my mom again after this war.
I'll get you home
to your mother.
Sir.
General orders to all
U-boats, cease operations.
Stand down, stand down.
We are too late.
Sir, the sub has surfaced.
The 10th is waiting
for your orders.
What do you wanna do?
Blow it out of the water.
Sir. Sir,
we have to abandon ship.
Get the men out.
Captain.
Come on, Captain.
Captain goes down with his ship.
It's my duty.
Now go. Go!
Thank you, sir.
A captain
with a sense of honor
cannot separate his fate
from that of his ship.
I can only prove by my own death
that the fighting
services of Germany
were ready to die for the flag.
You're a young man, Reinhart,
have a long life ahead of
you, make the most of it.
Like I told you once before,
don't let the mistakes of your
past determine your future.
Captain H. Kessler,
Kriegsmarine.