Yangtse Incident: The Story of H.M.S. Amethyst (1957)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Michael Anderson

Writers:

Eric Ambler (screenplay)
Lawrence Earl (book)

Release Date:

14 June 1957 (Denmark)

Genre:

Drama | History | War

Plot:

While sailing lawfully up the Yangste in 1949, the British warship Amethyst found its return to the...

Plot Keywords:

Hostage | Ship | China | Sailor | Chinese Revolution

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Richard Todd	...	Lt. Cmdr. Kerans, RN
William Hartnell	...	Leading Seaman Frank
Akim Tamiroff	...	Col. Peng
Donald Houston	...	Lt Weston RN
Keye Luke	...	Capt. Kuo Tai
Sophie Stewart	...	Miss Charlotte Dunlap
Robert Urquhart	...	Flt Lt Fearnley RAF
James Kenney	...	Lt Hett RN
Richard Leech	...	Lt Strain RN
Michael Brill	...	Lt Berger RN
Barry Foster	...	PO McCarthy RN
Ray Jackson	...	Telegraphist French, RN
Thomas Heathcote	...	Mr. Monaghan RN
Sam Kydd	...	AB Walker RN
Ewen Solon	...	ERA Williams RN

Also Known As:

Battle Hell (USA)
Escape of the Amethyst
Their Greatest Glory
Yangtze Incident

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

Finland:K-12 | Sweden:15 | UK:PG (video rating) | UK:U (original rating)

Filming Locations:

Associated British Elstree Studios, Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Everest Pictures Ltd.

Trivia:

HMS Amethyst sustained more damage during filming than during the actual battle.

Tale of the true exploits of Lieut-Cmdr. J.S. Kerans, D.S.O., R.N. and the crew of H.M.S. Amethyst at the conclusion of the Chinese civil war in 1949.

Excellent Black and White movie showing the courage and resourcefulness of the Royal Navy. Richard Todd's portrayal of Lieutenant Commander J.S. Kerans conveys the essence of what a British Naval Officer is, and has been since the time of Nelson.

The only character who is poorly portrayed is the Chinese PLA Colonel, as this part was played by an obviously made up non-Chinese actor, weakening what is otherwise an outstanding film.

The action scenes realistically convey the sense of uncertainty that occurs during a naval engagement in confined waters. The style is a good hybrid of documentary and typical 1950's WW2 movie, which works better than one might think. The use of the tattered "White Ensign" and the RN's song "Hearts of Oak", for the title music give the movie an old fashioned patriotic feel. Furthermore, the signals between the "Amethyst" and the Navy's C-in-C Far East Station, Hong Kong help avoid a tone of mawkishness or propaganda.