Hellen I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much

FeistyUpper If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

Brenda The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Ginger Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

JoeytheBrit This veddy British naval adventure is typical of the UK output of the fifties. When we weren't making quaint comedies about drunken Scots or lovable rogues we were supplying the world with copious demonstrations of celluloid stiff-upper-lippery. We were very good at it, and many of those films have rightly attained the status of classics. This one, based on a real incident, doesn't quit achieve that status but it does at times come close. It contains some terrific action sequences, and some stirring final moments thanks to a quite inspirational score, but unfortunately the hour in between runs aground just like the HMS Amethyst.The truth is that once the ship runs aground nothing much happens. The film tries to generate a measure of suspense regarding the fate of a couple of wounded seamen who are ferried to a hospital and wind up in the hands of a dastardly Chinese Colonel (unconvincingly portrayed by Akim Tamiroff) but doesn't really seem to have its heart in it.Most pleasure is to be gained from the performances of such assured old hands as Richard Todd as the gallant Lt Cmdr Kerans, who manages to negotiate the ship's flight to freedom, William Hartnell as the hard-faced but warm-hearted Leading Seaman, Donald Houston as the plucky Lieutenant with a fondness for Horse's Necks (Brandy and ginger ale, apparently), and Sam Kydd as the working class jack tar with a down-to-earth mentality. A young Ian Bannen plays one of the wounded hostages, and a young Bernard Cribbins shouts about fathoms a lot.Probably of more interest to those who were alive when the actual incident took place, this will pass as an adequate time-filler for the rest of us, but little more.

scotsdominie 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.

mark2-1 I recently got a copy of this film on VHS. I was expecting to be disappointed as I haven't seen this film in about 35-40 years! I often get a film I once enjoyed find it doesn't live up my memories. But, I was pleasantly surprised with this film.There are, of course, some period stereotypes, especially racial (Akim Tamiroff again plays the evil oriental....), but they are minor annoyances as the story unfolds.I had read that H.M.S. Amethyst had actually been used for the film and was so badly damaged during the filming due to underwater explosions that she was soon scrapped. I can now see why this might have happened. There are quite a few detonations in the water very close to the hull. While watching the film I felt it could just as well have been a good story from Hornblower, Aubrey etc. Take away the modern vessel and replace it with a wooden ship and you have a timeless (true) tale. Richard Todd (who served as a paratrooper on D-Day) plays with the authority he often gave to many similar roles (like the Dam Busters).It was fun to see that Bernard Cribbins and Ian Bannen were unlisted in the role list. They were novices, and were actually both quite good in this film. I highly recommend seeing this film!

sean.connolly Strong drama about the 1949 incident involving HMS Amethyst. Quite real looking for a 1957 film, even the acting isn't as stilted as most films from that era. The battle sceanes are excellently done using real ships.Well worth watching for some history about an incident which seems to have been forgotten about.