Just for the record, "San Demetrio London" is not a religious movie, and it has nothing whatever to do with any sort of sacred personages. In fact the characters depicted in this movie are quite the antithesis.
"San Demetrio" was the name of a ship, a British commercial tanker operated by the Eagle Tanker Company, that was sailing during World War II. The incredible story recounted in the film is true, and the jaw-dropping ordeal endured by the members of the crew took place exactly as depicted. Without giving the story away, suffice it to say that, had these men been members of the military rather than mere civilian merchant seaman, it is very likely that every one of them would have been awarded the Victoria Cross.
I had heard of this movie for many years but only recently finally got the opportunity to actually view it. It is an extremely dramatic story told in a very simple and straightforward manner. That is as it should be, because the story itself is so dramatic that no embellishment is necessary, and would probably only diminish the impact of the story.
It is acknowledge that some of the special effects are less than first-quality by today's standards. However, allowances must be made for the fact that this film was produced in Britain in 1943, and there was a war on. That being said, the depiction of the tanker itself, and the details of the manner in which it was operated, are extremely accurate. I've sailed on several elderly merchant ships that had been built during WW-II, including an old T2 tanker, and I can vouch for the movie's authenticity. This is not altogether surprising when one considers that "San Demetrio London" was directed by the same man who later made "The Cruel Sea". Highly recommended as a depiction of WW- II at sea.
