The film has been criticised for its portrayal of German Admiral Günther Lütjens , who is portrayed as a stereotypical Nazi , committed to Nazism and crazed in his undaunted belief that '' Bismarck '' is unsinkable . In reality , Lütjens did not agree with Nazi policies ; along with two other navy commanders , he had publicly protested against the brutality of antisemitic crimes during Kristallnacht . He was one of the few officers who refused to give the Hitler salute when Hitler visited '' Bismarck '' before its first and final mission , deliberately using instead the traditional naval salute . He was pessimistic of the chances of success of '' Bismarck '' s mission and realised that it would be a daunting task . The film shows Lütjens ordering Captain Ernst Lindemann to open fire on HMS '' Hood '' and HMS '' Prince of Wales '' . In reality , Lütjens ordered Lindemann to avoid engaging HMS '' Hood '' ; Lindemann refused and ordered the ship 's guns to open fire
Kristallnacht
Kristallnacht
Sink the Bismarck!