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San Demetrio, London

Released Feb 21, 1944 1h 33m War List
Reviews 62% Audience Score 50+ Ratings
The tanker San Demetrio is part of a sea convoy in the North Atlantic when it's attacked by a German battleship and heavily damaged. The crew abandons ship in two lifeboats. One lifeboat is rescued, but the other, bearing 2nd Officer Hawkins (Ralph Michael), Chief Engineer Pollard (Walter Fitzgerald) and others, drifts hopelessly. The sailors spot a burning vessel and are surprised to discover their own ship miraculously afloat. They mount an audacious plan to re-board her and return to action. Read More Read Less

Critics Reviews

View All (1) Critics Reviews
MFB Critics Monthly Film Bulletin The film is based on the official account of the voyage, and every effort has been made to reproduce faithfully the events of this epic voyage. Feb 8, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (7) audience reviews
Jim P For a movie made in the 1940s, the model scenes are outstanding. It's a good old-fashioned "ripping yarn", telling the true story of British merchant navy heroism. If you like war movies, try this one! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/04/24 Full Review Audience Member I must say old chap, these fellows seem awfully happy to be on the brink of death in freezing seas on a burning oil tanker. Time for a sing song. Tupical 40s dirge. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member Against the odds war story. It's solid but you probably need a preference for this home front propaganda based film to enjoy it. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/06/23 Full Review Audience Member Extremely interesting minor classic. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member wow umn just seen this movie 4 the 1st time n think that this is a good movie 2 watch..its got a good cast of actors/actressess throughout this movie...i think that the director of this Action & Adventure, Drama, Classics movie had done a good job of directing this movie because you never know what 2 expect throughout this movie its a good movie 2 watch..i think that the fight scenes n the gun shoot outs were pretty kewl throughout this movie its a good 1940's movie 2 watch n is enjoyable Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Actual events dramatised and used for propaganda purposes during World War II. A great example of banding together to overcome the odds - but it seems the ship's Chief is the big hero and can solve any problem - oh and he's the technical consultant on the movie to boot!!! Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
San Demetrio, London

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis The tanker San Demetrio is part of a sea convoy in the North Atlantic when it's attacked by a German battleship and heavily damaged. The crew abandons ship in two lifeboats. One lifeboat is rescued, but the other, bearing 2nd Officer Hawkins (Ralph Michael), Chief Engineer Pollard (Walter Fitzgerald) and others, drifts hopelessly. The sailors spot a burning vessel and are surprised to discover their own ship miraculously afloat. They mount an audacious plan to re-board her and return to action.
Director
Charles Frend
Producer
Michael Balcon
Screenwriter
Robert Hamer, Charles Frend, F. Tennyson Jesse
Distributor
20th Century Fox
Genre
War
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 21, 1944, Original
Runtime
1h 33m