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They Were Expendable (1945)

135 min  -  Drama | War  -   20 December 1945 (USA)
7.3
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Ratings: 7.3/10 from 3,585 users  
Reviews: 68 user | 20 critic

A dramatized account of the role of the American PT Boats in the defense of the Philippines in World War II.

Writers:

William L. White (book), Frank Wead (screenplay), and 1 more credit »
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Nominated for 2 Oscars. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Montgomery ...
Lt. John Brickley (as Robert Montgomery Comdr. U.S.N.R. also)
John Wayne ...
Donna Reed ...
Jack Holt ...
General Martin
Ward Bond ...
'Boats' Mulcahey C.B.M.
Marshall Thompson ...
Ens. 'Snake' Gardner
Paul Langton Paul Langton ...
Ens. 'Andy' Andrews
Leon Ames Leon Ames ...
Major James Morton
Arthur Walsh Arthur Walsh ...
Seaman Jones
Donald Curtis Donald Curtis ...
Cameron Mitchell Cameron Mitchell ...
Ens. George Cross
Jeff York Jeff York ...
Ens. Tony Aiken
Murray Alper Murray Alper ...
'Slug' Mahan T.M. 1c
Harry Tenbrook Harry Tenbrook ...
'Squarehead' Larsen SC 2c
Jack Pennick Jack Pennick ...
'Doc'
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Storyline

Shortly after Pearl Harbor, a squadron of PT-boat crews in the Philipines 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. Written by Anonymous  

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

P.t. Boat | Philippines | Pearl Harbor | Admiral | Battle  | See more »

Taglines:

The Book That Thrilled Millions See more »

Genres:

Drama | War

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

(USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Fuimos los sacrificados See more »

Filming Locations:

Florida Keys, Florida, USA See more »

Company Credits

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

 | West Germany: (cut version)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Filmed in Miami, the closing shot with the lighthouse is the Cape Florida Lighthouse, in what is today the Cape Florida State Park. The lighthouse withstood and was the scene of an Seminole Indian attack in 1835. See more »

Goofs

Continuity: When Brick is briefing his officers on the route they are to take in evacuating McArthur, he draws the route on the map in a thick, heavy line. Seconds later, when the map is picked up to be folded, the lines are gone. See more »

Quotes

Lt. 'Rusty' Ryan: Listen Brick, for years I've been taking your fatherly advice, and it's never been any good. So from now on, I'm strictly a one man band!
See more »

Crazy Credits

Closing quote: "We Shall Return" Douglas MacArthur, General of the Army See more »

Connections

Edited into Malaya (1949) See more »