They Were Expendable

They Were Expendable

1945 · 135 min · EN · NR · 6.5 (140 votes)
Dir. John Ford · Starring Robert Montgomery, John Wayne, Donna Reed, Jack Holt, Ward Bond, Marshall Thompson · Music Herbert Stothart

“A Tribute to Those Who Did So Much... With So Little!”

DramaWar

After a demonstration of new PT boats, Navy brass are still unconvinced of their viability in combat, leaving Lt. "Rusty" Ryan frustrated. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, however, Ryan and his buddy Lt. Brickley are told they can finally take their squadron into battle. The PT boats quickly prove their worth, successfully shooting down Japanese planes, relaying messages between islands, and picking off a multitude of enemy ships.

VIBE

A classic wartime drama that feels earnest and patriotic. It captures the grim realities of combat and the camaraderie of soldiers facing overwhelming odds. A straightforward, no-nonsense look at duty and sacrifice during WWII.

grimheroicpatrioticsombersteadyclassic Hollywood war filmwartime propagandahistorical dramadutysacrificewarbrotherhood
▶ Stream on YouTube TV, TCM
navybased on novel or bookworld war iipearl harborphilippinespacific warpacific theaterbataan1940scorregidor
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