World War II films often depict true stories of incredible sacrifice, but it’s all the more remarkable when that selflessness is given willingly to your enemies.

The Commander, which opened the Venice Film Festival last year, depicts just that: an Italian naval commander rescuing a crew of Belgians at great risk to himself and his men.

The official synopsis reads: “The remarkable true story of Second World War submarine captain Salvatore Todaro, his vessel the Cappellini, and the unlikely moment that follows his crew coming under fire in October 1940.

“A brief but violent battle ensues which ends when Todaro sinks the opposing ship – and it is at this point that the commander reaches a decision that is destined to make history: to rescue the 26 Belgian survivors, who would otherwise have been condemned to drown in the middle of the ocean, and to disembark them at the nearest safe harbour, as required by the law of the sea.

“To take them all on board, he is forced to sail on the surface for three days, making himself visible to the enemy, risking his own life and those of his men…”

Directed by Edoardo De Angelis and starring World War Z’s Pierfrancesco Favino, this Italian film set during the Battle of the Atlantic is finally getting a UK release.

The Commander is in select cinemas on December 6 and available on demand from December 23.