San Demetrio London
Seen it?1943 | 97 min | Action, Drama, War
Monday Morning Maybeearly ratingWhy it’s a Monday Morning Maybe
With almost no lasting buzz and soft box office, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- One for people who'll be looking things up afterwards and anyone after some adrenaline. Based on real events, so expect to go down a research rabbit hole afterwards. Sits nicely alongside A Night to Remember or Zulu.
- The mood
- Intense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 37 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1943: an older pace and style.
- Skip it if you prefer quiet, talky stories.
Based on the true story of the 1940 rescue of the tanker MV San Demetrio by parts of her own crew after she had been set afire in the middle of the Atlantic by the German heavy cruiser Admiral Scheer and then had been abandoned. When one of the lifeboats drifted back to the burning tanker the day after, and found that she still hadn't exploded, they decided to board her and put out the fires. Eventually, they managed to start the engine again and decided to try to reach Britain against all odds.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 6K people sought it out in the past year
More like this
A Night to Remember
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed true-story drama.
The Finest Hours
Weeknight WatchAnother true-story action film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Zulu Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed true-story war drama.
The Guns of Navarone Friday Night FlickAnother war drama, and a Friday Night Flick.
Chariots of Fire
Saturday SpecialAnother true-story drama, and a Saturday Special.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Charles Frend
- Walter FitzgeraldChief Engineer Charles Pollard - M.V. San Demetrio
- Ralph Michael2nd. Officer Hawkins - M.V. San Demetrio
- Neville Mapp3rd. Engineer Willey - M.V. San Demetrio
- Barry LettsApprentice John Jones - M.V. San Demetrio
- Frederick PiperBoatswain W.E. Fletcher - M.V. San Demetrio
- Gordon JacksonMessboy John Jamieson - M.V. San Demetrio
- Robert Beatty'Yank' Preston - M.V. San Demetrio
- Mervyn JohnsGreaser John Boyle - M.V. San Demetrio
- James DonaldGunnery Officer - H.M.S. Jervis Bay
- Nigel ClarkeR.J.E Dodds - Shipping Manager