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

The best British filmmakers are capable of making a masterpiece that ranks with their best graphic painters of previous centuries in terms of their perfection of the art. Everything about this film is superb; story, directing, acting, cinematography etc. It's also a real 'cliff hanger' because, until the very end, it's not at all clear how they could get out of that mess. Watch and be 'mesmerized' my fellow film lovers.

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!

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.

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.

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.