Yangtse Incident: The Story of H.M.S. Amethyst

THE YANGTSE INCIDENT is based on a true event that occurred in 1949 when a British ship travelling down the Yangtse river in China was suddenly attacked by Communist forces. Those on board must figure out how to get out of the situation alive, while the authorities attempt to negotiate with their foes and various men conduct themselves in a heroic fashion.

This is an assured production, well shot in black and white, that brings to mind the matter-of-fact storytelling of the classic A NIGHT TO REMEMBER. It stars the dependable Richard Todd as the guy sent in to extricate the ship from its tricky situation, and he leads an all-star cast of notables including William Hartnell, Robert Urquhart, Bernard Cribbins, Ian Bannen, Barry Foster, Sam Kydd, Ewen Solon, and Keye Luke as one of the Chinese.

Yes, this is a film which has dated somewhat since release, but it ably portrays the stiff-upper-lip attitude of the British that once made us famed and feared around the globe. A film championing the bygone days of Britain, then.