They Were Expendable (1945)

[ShortGrub]

That was an excellent video on the PT boat. If it was on the east coast I would see it. Maybe one day I'll get out west again.
Thanks again for posting the video.

[Stumpy]

Moderator Chester and I exchanged opinions in another thread that this was our favorite Duke war movie.

I think the single most remarkable aspects of "They Were Expendable" were its' timing, plot and direction.

As we know, there was a lot of effort by all parties in WW2 to show the rightness of their particular cause. Most films were pure propaganda pieces designed to raise the spirits of one's own citizens. Thus, most American war films made during the time actual combat was taking place (Dec '41 until Aug '45) invariably showed our side as the good guys and the other side as the bad guys. Usually, the movies showed our brave lads winning the contest (even when they weren't). "They Were Expendable" didn't do that -it showed MacArthur being evacuated from Corregidor to prevent his capture by the Japanese and Montgomery/Wayne being flown out to help train new PT crewmen and design better boats.

According to the filmography, shooting began in March and ran through June 1945. The war with Japan didn't end until Aug '45, after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Therefore, neither the writer nor John Ford knew how the war would end when this movie was made. As Ford was a naval officer during WW2, he would have had every incentive to make the usual propaganda piece but he didn't, which was to his credit.

[JohnChisum]

I watched this one recently for the first time and I liked it a lot. I agree with the positive critics of this movie. Like in other Ford Movies the Black/White photography is excellent as well.

[kevin k]

best scene-dad[russell simpson]and his dog,smoking and holding his rifle in his rocker on his porch waiting for the jappanease

[chester7777]

Second best scene;

When the song ""Marcheta" was playing and Duke dances with Donna Reed, dancing in the moonlight knowing how desperate the situation really is.

Chester

[dan stapel]

A really great Duke movie! It reminds me of the way our country USED to be! I am very sick of everyone always trying to be politically correct.
We need more people like the Duke was. I am becoming quite concerned about the way our country is heading. Sorry for preaching but I am very concerned.

[dan stapel]

A great movie. Robert Montgomery was a Lt. Commander during WW3.
John Wayne played his wonderful self. Who wouldn't like to have a fling with Donna Reed. Ward Bond has too small a part. I think he is great also.
I have watched this movie over and over.

[ethanedwards]

Ward Bond has too small a part.

This may have been due to the fact that not long before the film,
Ward had shattered a leg in a car accident, and had to be filmed from the waist up,
therefore decreasing a more active role.

I have also taken this opportunity
to update the Trivia and Goofs section, in the initial review.

[dan stapel]

Thank you for the info in regards to Ward Bond. I was a bit down when Ward Bond and the others walked off to who noes what. Perhaps a prison camp or worse.When I was in the service we had a teck. Sgt who was on the Bataan Death march. He was not all there and I felf sorry for him.

[ringo kid]

a classic war movie and one of john wayne's best performances,and his best war film

[Redcap]

I always enjoy this film. Robert Montgomery, John Wayne and Ward Bond always seem to make things very believable.

Redcap

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