These stills from the Chinese film "Dongji Rescue" depict the events that unfolded off the coast of Dongji Island in Zhejiang Province 83 years ago.

In 1942, after the Japanese troopship Lisbon Maru was torpedoed in these waters, more than 1,800 British prisoners of war were left trapped in the sinking vessel. Forced to leap into the icy sea in a desperate bid for survival, they were met not only by the pounding waves, but also by a hail of bullets from the Japanese troops.

In that moment of life and death, 198 Chinese fishermen rose to the occasion. In 46 small wooden sampans, they braved enemy fire and raging waters, making 65 perilous trips into the "sea of death" to pull 384 men from the freezing waters.

Based on true events, "Dongji Rescue" shines a spotlight on the courage and compassion of ordinary Chinese fishermen. The film has premiered on the Chinese mainland and will be released later this month in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada as well as China's Hong Kong and Macao.