san demetrio and london tell a simple story in a plain way . a merchant vessel from england sail to galveston and pick up a cargo of oil and on the way back across the atlantic be attack . the crew abandon ship and later some of them re board her and take her back home . it be an inspiring story because it tell of ordinary people get on with the job that and due to a world war and have to be do . these be modest hero . problem that come their way be solve unfussily . no one expect medal and they just get on with it . be a war film the character be the usual cross section of society unite by the common peril . in the cold and the darkness they do their duty . you feel these be real people and not just actor . this be not a spectacular film . the director do not go for high drama or self conscious act . there be a death scene which be powerful in it understatement . the narrative be straight forward but exert a gentle grip . you want to know what happen in the end . this be definitely an under rat film .