Synopsis
Shortly after Pearl Harbor, a squadron of PT-boat crews in the Philippines must battle the Navy brass between skirmishes with the Japanese. The title says it all about the Navy's attitude towards the PT-boats and their crews.
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Cast
- Robert MontgomeryLt. John Brickley
- John WayneLt. (J.G.) 'Rusty' Ryan
- Donna ReedLt. Sandy Davyss
- Jack HoltGeneral Martin
- Ward Bond"Boats" Mulcahey, Chief Boatswain's Mate
- Marshall ThompsonEns. 'Snake' Gardner
- Paul LangtonEns. 'Andy' Andrews
- Leon AmesMajor James Morton
- Arthur WalshSeaman Jones
- Donald CurtisLt. (J.G.) 'Shorty' Long
Recommendations
- 100
TV Guide Magazine
In direct contrast to the flag-waving, jingoistic propaganda films typical of Hollywood during WWII, John Ford's They Were Expendable is a somber and moving account of America's defeat in the Philippines early in the war. - 100
The Observer (UK)
Beautifully photographed in black and white by Commander Joseph August, this moving picture has images and sequences that show Ford at his poetic and humanistic best. [13 Aug 2006, p.20] - 91
The A.V. Club
The liberal Ford and the conservative Wayne had nothing in common politically, but artistically, they're perfectly in sync. - 90
Chicago Reader
Brilliantly intertwined intensely personal stories with magnificently epic narrative. - 90
The New York Times
It 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. - 80
Empire
A war movie with enough honour and heroism to make a grown man weep. - 75
San Francisco Chronicle
A solid WWII movie that's been lost among myriad others about the same war. [02 Jul 2006, p.28] - 70
Time Out
The tugs of docudrama, emotionalism and sheer timing produced a major work of surprisingly downbeat romanticism.
