They Were Expendable
Tags: realism, suspenseful, murder

Plot synopsis:
In December 1941, a squadron of PT Boats under the command of Lt. John "Brick" Brickley (Robert Montgomery) is sent to Manila to help defend the Philippines against a potential Japanese invasion. However, upon their arrival, instead of a welcome, they are ridiculed by the local military commanders. One of Brick's men, Lt., J.G. "Rusty" Ryan (John Wayne) becomes disgusted when his superiors refuse to see the small boats as viable naval craft and is in the process of writing his request for a transfer to destroyers when news arrives of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which makes transfer at that time impossible.
Ryan and Brickley's demands for combat assignments for their squadron are frustrated for a time as they are assigned to messenger duty, but when the Japanese launch a surprise attack with warplanes, they are hastily pressed into combat duty. They are again subjected to messenger duty, infuriating Ryan who continually requests transfer to a destroyer. Eventually, the local command recognizes the effectiveness of the small boats and use them for intercepting and sinking larger Japanese boats. As they are about to leave on a mission to sink a Japanese cruiser, Brick orders Rusty to the hospital, where it is discovered that he has blood poisoning. While in the hospital, Rusty begins a romance with Army nurse Sandy Davyss (Donna Reed). Brick's boats sink the cruiser, after which the squadron meets with more and more success, even as they suffer the loss of both boats and men. However, the American forces are vastly outgunned and outnumbered by the Japanese forces, and it is only a matter of time before the islands are lost.
With the mounting Japanese onslaught against the doomed American garrisons at Bataan and Corregidor, the squadron is sent to evacuate General Douglas MacArthur, his family, and a party of VIPs. This done, they resume their attacks against the Japanese, who gradually whittle down the squadron. As boats are lost, their crews are sent to fight as infantry. Finally, the last boat is turned over to the Army for messenger duty. Brickley, Ryan and two ensigns are airlifted out on one of the last planes because the PT boats have proved their worth and they are needed stateside to train replacement PT boat officers and crews. The remaining enlisted men, led by Chief Mulcahey, are left behind to continue the fight with remnants of the U.S. Army and Filipino guerrillas.

Review: I'm thinking that John Ford wisely decided that World War II being recently over, the country's mood was joyous, but somber in terms of the heavy human cost.They Were Expendable has the benefit though of the American audience knowing the ultimate victory.
The story begins in the Phillipines in 1941 with Robert Montgomery as real life naval hero John Bulkeley, renamed Brickley for the film, trying to convince the brass of the usefulness of the P.T. Boat in combat, not just for scouting and courier duty.
Of course that experiment is cut short and the P.T. Boats and their crews are rushed into some on the job experience.During the film MacArthur, you might recall Gregory Peck saying that he was going to be evacuated from Corregidor by "one of Johnny Bulkeley's torpedo boats." That scene is dramatized as a wordless Robert Barrat plays MacArthur traveling on the boat commanded by John Wayne.Wayne is Montgomery's second in command of the P.T. boat squadron who is not thrilled to be there.
Growing up with WWII as the dominant theme of modern history and an appreciation of the older film stars, this film is without question the most realistic in terms of the message and of just passed events with superb performances in the old morality style of the 40's.The old Navy, surviving in the Asiatic backwater where promotions could take years, bears the brunt of the onslaught of total war for America.
The dying of the old Navy from Yangtze to Cavite with gutsy sailors like "Boats" living hard in the backwater paradise of the Pacific on $20 a month.The tragedy of continuing defeat, overwhelming catastrophic events, the ill prepared Nation, the dying of the old Navy, all combine to make this film, made with event still fresh in the actors and film makers minds, a statement of that war and of the heroes which the audience knew first hand.
But then, there's the great Robert Montgomery, who did active duty (unlike Wayne), and I truly believe he was playing this film, both as actor and co-director, straight from the heart.
Memorable, slow-paced World War II film with fine performances from Robert Montgomery, John Wayne and Donna Reed with excellent direction by John Ford..
John Ford's excellent direction turns these mundane moments into one of the most memorable war films ever.
Robert Montgomery's "looking for the Arizona too" comment to Wayne sums up the feelings of its time much more than a five minute speech on how important it is to win the war could ever do.The cinematography is top notch, as it is in most of Ford's films.
LOL Years later my father spoke of the movie as one of his favorites, and one Saturday night while up late working on model airplanes or ships, They Were Expendable came on and I realized that the guy in the baseball cap was my favorite actor John Wayne.
My own recollection was that most of the ordinary joes were always referring to Douglas MacArthur as "Dugout Doug," a derogatory swipe at his flight to Australia and reluctance to go on the offensive for some time thereafter.Like other great war films such as All Quiet on the Western Front and Paths of Glory, this one takes its place right up there..
Although I am a big fan of some of John Wayne's other war pictures such as The Flying Tigers and The Fighting Sea Bees, these films are not exactly realistic and make it look like Wayne and his friends could have almost single-handedly beaten the Japanese!
Realism is key to this picture.Oh, and by the way, Robert Montgomery gets top billing because when the film was made he was the bigger star--Wayne's rise to the top in Hollywood was still to come.
They were no doubt aware of this, and that escape before the Japanese arrived was their only real chance of survival.John Ford created a basically solemn film in keeping with the times.
A downbeat ending with some crew going off to help plan for later battles and others marching off to almost certain death, but it is in keeping with what the US forces faced at the time.Recent good WW2 films such as Saving Private Ryan and Thin Red Line show what can be achieved now with a big budget and huge technical advances, but it doesn't make them any better than this film.I only hope it comes out in DVD in the UK.
decided to depict a part of the war where it was difficult to remain positive, where you were forced to leave members of your crew behind to face the uncertainties of meeting up with the enemy.Yes, there are times when Ford lays it on a little thick, and his use of "Anchors Aweigh", "Halls of Montezuma" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic" are a little too much, but these are minor flaws.
Truly John Ford directed just more than a war film here; he directed a gallant and heartfelt tribute to America's fighting men and women everywhere..
You see that John Wayne was a very good actor, an actor with charisma.This is a great war movie.
Stirring WWII film, directed by John Ford, about the contributions of the Navy torpedo boat squadron to the war effort.
In addition to the action and wartime heroics, there are subplots about the rivalry between Navy lieutenant Robert Montgomery and frustrated subordinate John Wayne, and a romance that blossoms between Wayne and nurse Donna Reed.Montgomery, a gleeful ham when the role calls for it, offers one of his most subtle and successful performances as the sober squadron commander.
Definitely worth a look for Ford and Wayne fans, or anyone who enjoys World War II films.
Perhaps Wayne should have done more supporting roles like this one with less flag waving and more portrayal of actual events and people.Can anyone tell me the title of the song that was played when John Wayne and Donna Reed were dancing about an hour into the film?
First To Fight, First To Die. Released at the end of World War II, with the ink on the final surrender documents still fresh, "They Were Expendable" is a rousing yet sobering look back when American service personnel faced total defeat at enemy hands.
It's not a question of "if" for them, just "when," and this is director John Ford's way of paying tribute.We open in December, 1941, as Lt. John Brickley (Robert Montgomery) is trying to make his superiors see the value of the squadron of PT- boats he commands, presently stationed on Cavite in the Philippines.
Brickley's second-in-command Rusty Ryan (John Wayne) even has to shed a promising romance with nurse Sandy Davyss (Donna Reed) as the exigencies of war take precedence.The message of "do-and-die" is presented early by Brickley's commander: "You and I are professionals.
Several key players in the Ford acting troupe have standout scenes, and with Ford manage to incorporate needed doses of humor in small but strategic ways.I really like Wayne in this movie; already a star, we see him here beginning to emerge as an actor, whether grousing about PT-duty early on, making a hash of an attempt at telling Sandy he loves her on a bad telephone connection, or reciting verse over two dead comrades.
While Montgomery sets the tone of the film, Wayne provides the crucial backbone for it to work.In a way, the great strength of "They Were Expendable" is also a weakness; that it was made when the subject was not only fresh but still an open wound.
John Wayne, Ward Bond and other familiar faces handle their roles well without exception.Even the love interest with Donna Reed doesn't impede the continuity of the story.In fact,it adds a soft note to an otherwise gritty war scene.Although shot in Florida, the locations easily pass for the Philippines ,the locale of the action.
Strong action on sea interwoven with a love story and very good character development by Robert Montgomery and John Wayne, accompanied by the then awfully young Cameron Mitchell and Marshal "Daktari" Thompson.
John Ford + John Wayne + Robert Montgomery = a great war movie..
I know that most of these WWII films were propaganda for the war effort, but at the time, this was the best way to show the folks at home what the navy accomplished in the Phillipines.
The photography is spectacular, the people so gentle, courtly I would say,  in that trying time, a terrific story and a movie to show Robert Montgomery and John Ford at their best.
This is John Ford's excellent war film about the conflict in the Pacific.
A very understated performance by Wayne, ably supported by the 'average sailors doing their job', and for me at least, a great (if short) performance by Reed, as the nurse everyone loved!I have to say, I'm surprised she doesn't seem to be as recognised as other leading ladies from that time, and that apart from the movies mentioned and From Here To Eternity, she didn't seem to have too many big roles.Overall, one of the top wartime movies, superbly directed and performed by all, with Wayne, Reed and Robert Montgomery in particular..
One of the best films to be inspired by WWII, to which THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES and MEN IN WAR serves as a nice companion pieces, directed by the best (and most prolific of Twentieth Century Director: JOHN FORD.Mounted in a lavish manner but maintaining the POV of the men that served in the tragic fall of the Philippines..., well- just buy it or rent it and you will see for yourself..
And he had been an actual PT boat commander in the war, and knew something about it that was irreplaceable.In fact, the film is remarkable for its verisimilitude--its convincingness, in both the broad sweep (the advance of the Japanese) and the details (all the things that make a movie make sense without distraction).
While filmed in Florida, it looks completely like the Philippines, and the boats and planes (American planes, all of them--the great Mitsubishi Zero planes that wreaked havoc in the first year of the war were mostly destroyed) are real.
The cast was great, with Robert Montgomery, John Wayne, Donna Reed, Ward Bond and many others, all of whom give wonderful performances.
six years later at the Pantages Theater.) In "They Were Expendable," Wayne's energy plays off Robert Montgomery's authority, and with John Ford, Wayne's usual wise-ass demeanor is under control, effectively making this a buddy picture but one of great subtlety and pathos: the storyline tracks the U.S.Navy's retreat from the Philippines, leaving many crew members to face what became the Bataan death march The attack sequences of the PT boats going up against Japanese cruisers are unbelievable, matching up Ford's eye for spectacle with anything he did later in Monument Valley.
but the battle scenes and portrayal of everyday naval life in this branch of the service is not only interesting as a film but important as historical preservation since even in its production period of 1945, finding several actual working PT boats was a miracle indeed, even though most if not all did not see any real combat service only a year after the war ended.
A decent film with a good cast and usual fine directing from John Ford, it's worth seeing for the military enthusiast, just for the PT Boats!.
John Ford Goes to War. In the Year of Our Lord 1941, Lieutenant Robert Montgomery (as John "Brick" Brickley) mans a torpedo boat.
Then, it's back to the Pacific...Montgomery and director John Ford had just returned from serving in the war, and are credited with their "U.S.N.R." (United States Navy Reserve) military title.
Ms. Reed contributes an especially impressive dramatic performance.***** They Were Expendable (12/19/45) John Ford ~ Robert Montgomery, John Wayne, Donna Reed, Marshall Thompson.
This film held my interest from the very beginning to the very end and there was plenty of action involving the Navy PT Boats and how they were first introduced into World War II in the Pacific.
Robert Montgomery, (Lt. John Brickley) commanded his squadron of men including John Wayne, Lt.(j.g.) Rusty Ryan who both worked together to provided the Navy with the best performance the P T Boats had when they were utilized for destroying large Japanese boats and munitions.
In real life, Robert Montgomery actually was a P T Boat Commander during World War II and was very admired by John Ford who did his best to outshine John Wayne who had no military experience.
This was a great movie also one of the few that feature the PT boats of the Navy.A story seldom told or heard by a lot of people.I enjoyed this movie not only because i like John Wayne(The Duke) But all the actors played believable parts.The navy is well represented in this movie as several actors all served in the navy during the Second world war with great distinction.Robert Montgomery plays a good roll as did the Duke and Ward Bond and others.I hope this movie comes out in Color on the DVDs as it would be interesting to see the difference in it from the original black and white show.This shows the real story about how some of these men fought a tough war on plywood decks and still had a good sense of humor..
Unlike some of John Ford's better films, They Were Expendable is only sporadically great; several individual scenes are beautiful.
The legendary John Ford and actor Robert Montgomery direct this bland, but interesting war drama about the use of PT Boats during WW2 in the Philippines.
It is, in some ways, a documentary drama of those days just after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour with utter confusion by the American forces.It is clear that many of the actors and others involved with the making of the film had served in WW2.As you watch the movie, notice the number of times when actors move away and you don't hear what they're saying and the Director leaves it to you to imagine what's being said.They can't make films like this nowadays!.
None that is, except today's subject, the fine World War II Drama, THEY WERE EXPENDABLE (MGM, 1945).NOT only was it a rare appearance for "Pappy" Ford; but also one in which he brought his Cinematic Step-Son, John Wayne with him, for a rare appearance at MGM for the 'Duke'.COMING toward the end of the conflict and being released in December of 1945, a full four months after both VE Day and VJ Day; the picture benefited from the knowledge of actual occurrences in the Philippines during the dark, early days of the Conflict in the Pacific.ADDITIONALLY, co-starring with Mr.
In good evidence in the film one will see: Donna Reed, Jack Holt, Ward Bond, Leon Ames, Marshall Thompson, Donald Curtis, Cameron Mitchell, Jeff York, Murray Alper, Charles Trowbridge, Blake Edwards, Louis Jean Heidt, Wallace Ford, Duke Green, Sammy Stein, Kermit Maynard, and a cast of thousands.THE story is a fictionalized account of the struggle of the Philippine Islands and its people as well as the United States' Forces stationed there before the attack on Pearl Harbor of December 7, 1941.
The name PT was settled on later; from the initials for Patrol Torpedo Boat).AS in any of John Ford's Films, true love a and appreciation for our American Freedoms and way of Life, as well as for the United States itself are clearly evident; although it is most usually implied in the passing and never stated explicitly.EVEN though the characters are fictional (except for folks like General Douglas MacArthur & Company) the fiction is not to be classified as strict fiction as the incidents portrayed are all based on real occurrences.AS for a Rating, as a War Picture or as any General Category, we award this rare MGM, John Ford, John Wayne Wartime Drama the same designation of rank that General Doug MacArthur had.
John Ford's They Were Expendable makes good use of John Wayne, Robert Montgomery, and Donna Reed in this World War II drama.
John Wayne, Robert Montgomery and Donna Reed head a great cast in this moving drama.
She is a far different World War 11 Reed than what she would be 8 years later when she said to Monty Clift: "What did the army ever do for you." Imagine saying that to John Wayne in a film!!!!!
According to John Wayne, Ford poured his heart and soul into this movie but then reportedly expressed his disappointment with the final results, that is until he was coaxed into actually watching it and then abruptly changed his mind.For me, this also features performances that rank among the finest of the three main stars, John Wayne, Robert Montgomery, and Donna Reed.The message that I received from this film is that it wasn't only the PT boat crews who were expendable.
John Ford's "They Were Expendable" ranks as one of the all time great World War II epics about the U.S. Navy.
Ostensibly, the film is based on the actual exploits of Brickley and the events surrounding the fall of the Philippines between December 1941 and April 1942 when the United States was losing the war.John Ford had seen war first-hand before he helmed "They Were Expendable" and he made it for the Navy to promote the use of PT-boats, The war ended, however, before MGM released the film and studio chief Louis B.
Real life events were still fresh in the minds of war combatants John Ford and Robert Montgomery when this film was made, evidenced by how news of the day might have been hampered by the available technology.
Many think this is a John Wayne movie, but the young Wayne plays a secondary character to Robert Montgomery.
At the end John Wayne and Robert Montgomery both get out on the last plane out of the area because of their PT boat experiences.