An epic war film, originally released in 2000, is dropping on Netflix this Sunday and fans describe it as a "masterpiece".

U-571 is an World War 2 drama film that follows a group of Americans as they board a German submarine with the hope of infiltrating the security and stealing a top-secret machine from the Nazis.

The film's synopsis reads: "When a German U-571 submarine with a sophisticated encryption machine onboard is sunk during a World War Two battle at sea, the Allies send an American Navy force led by Lieutenant Andrew Tyler to retrieve it for study.

"Boarding the German ship, the Americans' cover as a rescue force is quickly blown. Forced to take the crew hostage, the Americans lay their explosives and prepare to destroy the German vessel before the Nazis can send naval backup."

Matthew McConaughey stars as Lieutenant Andrew Tyler alongisde Bill Paxton, Harvey Keitel and Jon Bon Jovi.

Directed by Jonathan Mostow, the film one an Academy Award for Best Sound Editing.

It was met with good reception and remains a fan favourite, with one Google reviewer writing: "Great acting, excellent script and action galore. Curve balls aplenty. I love movies that follow history as well but there is a place for fictional masterpieces as this one."

Another wrote: "I really liked this one. Could easily see it again and again and again. Tense, riveting, well-edited, superb cinematography, great cast. A must watch."

The film gets a 68% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with the critics stating: "Excellent cinematography and an interesting plot accompanied by a talented cast and crew make U-571 a tense thriller."

One reviewer said: "This film has the effects and the performances to keep the thrill ride going non-stop."

While another added: "U-571 is junk as history; as a mindless Saturday night action flick, its pretty good."

U-571 is available to stream on Netflix from this Sunday (June 1).