Descendants of British prisoners of war and Chinese fishermen linked to the 1942 Lisbon Maru incident praised the war drama "Dongji Rescue" at a screening event last week, saying they were moved by its portrayal of local fishermen saving Allied prisoners from Japanese forces.

A still from "Dongji Rescue" shows rescued British prisoners of war saluting Chinese fishermen. [Photo courtesy of Seventh Art Pictures]

Denise Wynne, daughter of Lisbon Maru survivor Dennis Morley, attended an Aug. 8 screening in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, and thanked families of the Chinese fishermen on behalf of descendants of the rescued British prisoners of war. She said the POWs' families would have much darker memories without the fishermen's bravery.

"This story has become a symbol of warmth and hope, and a powerful reminder of kindness and courage across our borders," she said.

"Dongji Rescue," directed by Guan Hu and Fei Zhenxiang and starring Zhu Yilong, Wu Lei and Ni Ni, dramatizes the 1942 Lisbon Maru incident. The film follows local Chinese fishermen who risked their lives to save British POWs after a Japanese freighter carrying more than 1,800 prisoners was torpedoed by a U.S. submarine near the Dongji Islands. Japanese troops killed prisoners aboard the sinking ship and in surrounding waters, but the fishermen defied the danger and saved 384 British POWs.

The film, now showing in theaters, is a major release marking the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

"The film authentically captures our ancestors' spirit — the duty of fishermen, the compassion of the sea, and the heart of Bodhisattva," said Wu Buwei, whose grandfather Wu Qisheng helped rescue the prisoners. "We're deeply moved by the film. The Japanese invaders' wartime atrocities and their attempts to conceal these crimes remain in our memory. Though the Lisbon Maru sank, we will never forget this history."

The cast and crew of "Dongji Rescue" pose for a group photo at a special screening in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang province, Aug. 8, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Dark Horse Entertainment]

During the screening, Wu Xiaofei, granddaughter of fisherman Wu Qilin, was moved to tears. "I never expected to feel like I was coming home while in a movie theater," she said. "It was as if the film overlapped with the stories Grandpa told me in childhood. It was like traveling through time to witness our ancestors' bravery."

"I believe my father's spirit would be comforted knowing this film has reached audiences across China and around the world," said Lin Yaxue, daughter of fisherman Lin Fuyun. "As a fisherman's descendant, I feel immense pride. I will ensure future generations inherit their courage, selflessness and humility. May China and Britain remain forever friendly, and may world peace endure."

Director Guan said that after their rescue mission 83 years ago, the 198 fishermen chose to remain anonymous and never sought recognition. He said he was moved by their spirit and decided to honor their legacy through the film. "Historical truth is inviolable. It must neither be forgotten nor erased," Guan said. "Our mission is to reveal the truth and voice what these humble Chinese heroes left unsaid."

Renowned director Jia Zhangke attended a special IMAX screening in Beijing, one of 888 theaters linked via livestream to Zhoushan. "I'm thrilled to witness this long-awaited epic that showcases Chinese resilience," he said. "Dongji Islands fishermen's quiet endurance erupted into heroic resistance — their rescue reveals the radiant kindness and humanity rooted in our national spirit."

An IMAX poster for "Dongji Rescue." [Image courtesy of IMAX China]

The film has been praised as one of China's most complex productions to date, requiring the construction of a full-scale Lisbon Maru replica and 20 working fishing vessels. The production was filmed as part of the Filmed for IMAX program, with the ship's sinking and rescue scenes shot on location in open waters using IMAX cameras.

"There's no better format than IMAX for this story," Guan said, explaining that the technology's aspect ratio and visual clarity replicate natural human vision.

The IMAX theater at Beijing's China National Film Museum was among the theaters that joined the Zhoushan screening via livestream on Aug. 8. According to the filmmakers, the IMAX version shows 51% more image content than the standard theatrical version. The format is particularly suited to the film's extensive underwater footage, they said.