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65% Critic Match
They Were Expendable
“A Tribute to Those Who Did So Much... With So Little!”
6.5 / 10• 1945• 2h 15m•NR• English
DramaWar
Storyline
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.
Cast & Crew
Robert Montgomery
Lt. John Brickley
Lead
John Wayne
Lt. (J.G.) 'Rusty' Ryan
Donna Reed
Lt. Sandy Davyss
Jack Holt
General Martin
Ward Bond
"Boats" Mulcahey, Chief Boatswain's Mate
Marshall Thompson
Ens. 'Snake' Gardner
Paul Langton
Ens. 'Andy' Andrews
Leon Ames
Major James Morton
What People Are Saying
4.0
“A staggering achievement of craft and ambition. John Ford's vision lands with breathtaking precision.”
3.0
“Every frame feels alive. They Were Expendable is the rare release that takes its audience seriously.”
