They Were Expendable
They Were Expendable

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- 72/100 based on 8,994 votes
  • Released: 1945
  • Runtime: 135 mins
  • Director:
  • Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
  • Genres: Drama - War

In the wake of Pearl Harbor's surprise attack, World War II hero, Lt. John Brickley's experimental squadron of agile fast-attack Patrol Torpedo boats is sent to warm and humid Manila to avert a potentially imminent Japanese invasion. As he and his second-in-command, Lieutenant "Rusty" Ryan, desperately try to prove the newly-founded naval unit's worth, the enemy launches a devastating all-out attack--and despite the PT boat flotilla's undeniable success--the considerably outn... (Full plot summary below)

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Actors in They Were Expendable:

Robert Montgomery
John Wayne
Donna Reed
Jack Holt
Ward Bond
Marshall Thompson

Full Plot Details

In the wake of Pearl Harbor's surprise attack, World War II hero, Lt. John Brickley's experimental squadron of agile fast-attack Patrol Torpedo boats is sent to warm and humid Manila to avert a potentially imminent Japanese invasion. As he and his second-in-command, Lieutenant "Rusty" Ryan, desperately try to prove the newly-founded naval unit's worth, the enemy launches a devastating all-out attack--and despite the PT boat flotilla's undeniable success--the considerably outnumbered and outgunned American soldiers are fighting a losing battle. Little by little, the Philippine campaign is doomed to cave in, as comrades-in-arms perish in the sea. Is there glory in defeat?

Review & Comments

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Movie Reviews

The Observer (UK) - 10/10 by Philip FrenchThe liberal Ford and the conservative Wayne had nothing in common politically, but artistically, they're perfectly in sync.
The New York Times - 9/10 by Bosley CrowtherIt is nostalgic, warm with sentiment and full of fight in every foot. It is hard to commend any actor above the rest. Each plays his part well.
Creative Loafing - 9/10 by Matt BrunsonThe film moves along curiously and cautiously, prideful of the crews of the PT boats but also aware that each victory was achieved at a great cost and that sacrifices would have to continue to be made as the war trudged along.
Ozus' World Movie Reviews - 9/10 by Dennis SchwartzSurprisingly rich film is one of the best war films ever made.
The Retro Set - 9/10 by Nathanael HoodThey Were Expendable was the first time [Ford] would loose the weight of his experiences on a general audience.
Chicago Reader - 9/10 by Don DrukerBrilliantly intertwined intensely personal stories with magnificently epic narrative.
Empire - 8/10 by Kim NewmanA war movie with enough honour and heroism to make a grown man weep.
San Francisco Chronicle - 8/10 by Ruthe SteinThe tugs of docudrama, emotionalism and sheer timing produced a major work of surprisingly downbeat romanticism.
Combustible Celluloid - 7/10 by Jeffrey M. AndersonThe real star of the film is the gorgeous, luminous, mostly outdoor black-and-white cinematography.
User Review - 10/10 by Jack WFantastic. Easily one of my favorite Ford films. Takes the heroic actions of a small and forgotten group of PT sailors and puts them in the context of the withdrawal of the Philippines. The resulting melancholy throughout the film, combined with Ford's patience and willingness to let the pictures do the talking, makes this a great film. To suggest that this film is hackneyed or rose-colored propaganda is to misunderstand the film entirely. This isn't the typical 'rah-rah' war film. Ford films a retreat! He shows as the Americans seem continually outmatched. Sure, our little squadron has some victories, but they are constantly returning to bombed out quarters or orders to redeploy to another island. Eventually, even the PT boat squad, despite the valiant efforts of its brave men, ends up dismantled. Don't let the Battle Hymn at the end fool you--yes, the film is patriotic--Ford's sensibilities are always with the men on the ground. But the Battle Hymn serves as a kind of veil over a film questioning the reasons behind a retreating army.

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