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

The events take place in April 1949, during the final months of the Chinese Civil War, in the immediate post-World War II era. Western forces operate in a volatile China as the PLA asserts control along the Yangtze. The incident unfolds under the pressure of diplomacy, danger, and the possibility of a larger international crisis.

The HMS Amethyst travels up the Yangtze toward Nanjing to support the British Embassy, placing the ship in a tense, hornet's nest of riverine warfare. The setting features treacherous shoals, riverine obstructions, and PLA shore batteries that threaten every maneuver. The action shifts from the muddy banks to open sea as the crew fights to escape downriver under heavy fire.

🛡️ Courage

The crew faces extreme peril under sustained artillery fire, injuries, and dwindling resources. Leadership under siege, improvisation under pressure, and sustained grit keep the Amethyst fighting. The narrative emphasizes personal and collective bravery in the face of overwhelming odds.

👨‍✈️ Leadership

Lieutenant-Commander Kerans steps into a decisive command role, steering through night navigation, scarce charts, and dangerous decisions. His strategy blends bold risk-taking with calculated caution, turning a precarious retreat into a stubborn return to safety. The film explores the weight of command in a crisis.

🕊️ Diplomacy vs Force

Colonel Peng's demands and the British government's stance create a tense diplomatic chess game. The crew must balance duty and honor with the practicalities of survival, proving that forceful defiance can coexist with strategic negotiation. The tension between political pressure and sea-strong resolve forms a core arc.