Set in 1949, this is the true story of the battleship HMS Amethyst which was heading, quite legitimately, down the Yangtze River in China when is was attached by Chinese communists. With many dead and the ship damaged and beached on a mud bank, the crew are at the mercy of the Chinese who insist on a document being signed by the British confirming they started it. They seem to have little room to manoeuvre, literally.
Whilst there are some impressive action scenes at the beginning and the end of the film, apparently using the actual Amethyst, this is more about coping, 'negotiating' with the enemy and finding a way out. It's all very exciting, believable stuff, well acted by a stellar cast of character actor Brits all lead by Richard Todd, not long off 'The Dam Busters'. Ok it's a bit 'top hole biffo' and upper lips have never been stiff, but it's genuinely interesting and exciting, particularly the last 20 minutes. Top notch.
Whilst there are some impressive action scenes at the beginning and the end of the film, apparently using the actual Amethyst, this is more about coping, 'negotiating' with the enemy and finding a way out. It's all very exciting, believable stuff, well acted by a stellar cast of character actor Brits all lead by Richard Todd, not long off 'The Dam Busters'. Ok it's a bit 'top hole biffo' and upper lips have never been stiff, but it's genuinely interesting and exciting, particularly the last 20 minutes. Top notch.