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They Were Expendable (1945)

 -  Drama | War  -  20 December 1945 (USA)
7.2
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Ratings: 7.2/10 from 4,076 users  
Reviews: 71 user | 26 critic

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

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Writers:

(book), (screenplay), 1 more credit »
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Title: They Were Expendable (1945)

They Were Expendable (1945) on IMDb 7.2/10

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Nominated for 2 Oscars. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Lt. John Brickley (as Robert Montgomery Comdr. U.S.N.R. also)
...
...
...
General Martin
...
'Boats' Mulcahey C.B.M.
...
Ens. 'Snake' Gardner
Paul Langton ...
Ens. 'Andy' Andrews
Leon Ames ...
Major James Morton
Arthur Walsh ...
Seaman Jones
Donald Curtis ...
Lt. 'Shorty' long / Radio Voice
...
Ens. George Cross
Jeff York ...
Ens. Tony 'Lefty' Aiken
Murray Alper ...
'Slug' Mahan T.M. 1c
Harry Tenbrook ...
'Squarehead' Larsen SC 2c
Jack Pennick ...
'Doc'
Edit

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

Taglines:

M-G-M Presents one of the Greatest Pictures of all Time See more »

Genres:

Drama | War

Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »
Edit

Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

20 December 1945 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Fuimos los sacrificados  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (cut)

Sound Mix:

(Western Electric Sound System)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See  »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the shooting of this movie, John Ford had put John Wayne down every chance he got, because Wayne had not enlisted to fight in World War II. Ford commanded a naval photographic unit during the war rising to the rank of captain and thought Wayne a coward for staying behind. After months of heaping insults on Wayne's head, costar Robert Montgomery finally approached the director and told him that if he was putting Wayne down for Montgomery's benefit (Montgomery had served in the war), then he needed to stop immediately. This brought the tough-as-nails director to tears and he stopped abusing Wayne. See more »

Goofs

When Lt. Sandy Davys attends the 'party', Lt. JG 'Rusty' Ryan takes a big swig of his drink, spilling some of it down his face and shirt, yet in the next scene, he's completely dry. 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

Referenced in Mister Roberts (1955) See more »

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User Reviews

A film about following orders no matter how painful
31 January 2002 | by (Hartlepool England) – See all my reviews

One reveiwer critices this film about lack of action he misses the point,all the characters are well developed which makes the ending so painfull. The acting is first rate every part is played with a great belief,,there are so many great scenes that touch the heart.The men are bonded together by their actions and when the bonds are broken through death or orders it hurts us all. Donna Reed is gorgeous to look at ,only a small role but well acted. At the end of the film you feel a lump in your throat and a tear forms in your eye,I love this movie.9/10


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