They Were Expendable
Closed CaptioningJohn Ford
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Plot Summary
Oscar and Golden Globe-winner John Wayne ("True Grit," "Stagecoach") stars in this moving drama about a Navy commander who fights to prove the battle-worthiness of the PT boat at the start of World War II. Oscar and Golden Globe-winner and Emmy-nominee Donna Reed ("It's a Wonderful Life") and Oscar-nominee Robert Montgomery ("Night Must Fall") co-star. Based on a true story.
Customer Reviews
Great Tribute to the PT Boats, their crews and perseverence
Released in 1945, just after the War was over, the film was based on a book by William L. White, recounting an actual PT Boat Squadron and its crews serving in the Philippines in 1942. The film recounts the sad days of American and Philipino defeat at the hands of the then imperialistic Japan. It is a great tribute to the sacrifices made by my father's generation, who not only survived the Great Depression, but fought and won the second World War. Filmed in the Florida Keys, it really shows the heat and humidity of a tropical environment, similar to the Philippines. A typically well done John Ford movie.
Mr.
Released at a time when the country was weary from War. Wayne was one of the first to try to enlist to serve in the US military but the White House told him that he could do more for the country by making movies like this to keep the morale of the servicemen and women at a high level. He did just that. This is a wonderful tribute to some of the bravest men in World War Two.
Memories
John Ford at his best..My dad and his two brothers became Marines in 1944 (18,19,20 years old) ..I watched this film with them as a youngster..they were so young like the sailors & soldiers in the film...so many lips silenced as Macarthur was quoted in the opening credits..My dad and uncles..shared alot with me regarding WWII..This film was special then and is now...
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