The story is about the sinking of the British destroyer, HMS Torrin, during the Battle of Crete and is told via flashbacks in the style made famous by Orson Welles in Citizen Kane. As the surviving crew cling to life boats and wreckage awaiting rescue, they flashback to their homes and loved ones, and in so doing recall just why they are fighting and whom they are fighting for.

Featured in this film are the debuts by Celia Johnson and Richard Attenborough, the first directorial effort by David Lean, and Noel Coward starring, writing the musical score, producing and co-directing this no-nonsense powerful World War II classic. This film is not to be missed.