They Were Expendable

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They Were Expendable

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Supplies are dwindling. Troops are hopelessly outnumbered. But even in defeat there is victory. The defenders of the Philippines ? including PT-boat skippers John Brickley (Robert Montgomery) and Rusty Ryan (John Wayne) will give the U.S. war effort time to regroup after the devastation of Pearl Harbor. Director John Ford's World War II tale knows its battle-scarred topic firsthand. Montgomery was himself a Pacific PT-boat commander and a valorous Bronze Star recipient. Ford filmed the Academy Award?-winning* documentary Battle of Midway. And Wayne creates a portrait of patriotic resolve as only he can. They Were Expendable salutes all who expended themselves during some of the war's bleakest hours. Director John Ford's World War II tale knows its battle-scarred topic firsthand. Montgomery was himself a Pacific PT-boat commander and a valorous Bronze Star recipient. Ford filmed the Academy Award -winning* documentary Battle of Midway. And Wayne creates a portrait of patriotic resolve as only he can. They Were Expendable salutes all who expended themselves during some of the war's bleakest hours.Running Time: 135 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: WESTERN/MISC. Rating: NR UPC: 012569798625 Manufacturer No: 79862

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They Were Expendable is the greatest American film of the Second World War, made by America's greatest director, John Ford, who himself saw action from the Battle of Midway through D-day. Yet it's been oddly neglected. Or perhaps not so oddly: for as the matter-of-fact title implies, the film commemorates a period, from the eve of Pearl Harbor up to the impending fall of Bataan, when the Japanese conquest of the Pacific was in full cry and U.S. forces were fighting a desperate holding action. Although stirring movies had been made about these early days (Wake Island, Bataan, Air Force), they were gung ho in their resolve to see the tables turned. They Were Expendable, however, which was made when Allied victory was all but assured, is profoundly elegiac, with the patient grandeur of a tragic poem.

"They" are the officers and men of the Navy's PT boat service, an experimental motor-torpedo force relegated to courier duty on Manila Bay but eventually proven effective in combat. Their commander is played by Robert Montgomery, who actually served on a PT and later commanded a destroyer at Normandy; James Agee called his "the one unimprovable performance" of 1945. In addition to giving it, Montgomery codirected the breathtaking second-unit action sequences (and took over the first unit for a week when Ford broke his leg). John Wayne's costarring role as Montgomery's volatile second-in-command initially looks stereotypically blustery, but as the drama unfolds--the death of comrades, a friendship-that-never-gets-to-be-a-romance with an Army nurse (Donna Reed)--Wayne sounds notes of tenderness and vulnerability that will take Duke-bashers by surprise.

They Were Expendable is a heartbreakingly beautiful film, full of astonishing images of warfare, grief, courage, and dignity: the artificial "rainfall" that lashes the beached Wayne as his PT boat explodes in the surf; the glow around a communally improvised dinner for nurse Reed; an old ship-repairer (Russell Simpson, The Grapes of Wrath's Pa Joad) settling in grimly to wait for the Japanese, with "Red River Valley" as benediction; the propeller spray that hangs over a jungle inlet, like the dust from one of Ford's cavalry pictures, as the PTs round a bend and disappear into history. This is a masterpiece. --Richard T. Jameson

Customer Reviews:

Rating:
Date: 2008-07-07
The Role of the PT Boat
If John Wayne were alive today he would be 101 years old. He was not allowed to join the service during WWII despite his effort to do so due to a previous injury. He certainly made up for it with spirit and a continuous string of movies telling the stories of fighting men in our service. He even received a special award for doing so. They Were Expendable is another very entertaining movie, that shows the role of PT boat's in the Pacific and the men who were associated with their operations. Decorated veterans are in this film. This movie has heart and soul.

Rating:
Date: 2008-06-29
they were expendable
I believe that this was one of the best war movies ever made. it is understandable that this was a flag waver, because it was made during the war. it does however show an honest depiction of how our forces were totally unprepared to fight the Japanese during the first few months of WW-II. even when we abandoned them and left them without ammunition and supplies, our troops showed a tenacity,a willingness to give everything and dignity in defeat. This movie shows a spirit that i believe still exists in the American psyche.The dry military humor is right on the mark, and the action scenes are outstanding considering the era that the movie was made. i recommend this film to anyone who is interested in learning about the early defeats we suffered in World War II. and how our troops fought a heroic holding action until our forces could regroup.

Rating:
Date: 2008-06-27
One of the best
It is difficult to say anything more that has not already been said regarding this, one of my all-time favorite movies. But, forgive my additional " 2 cents worth," just to say that this is one of the few movies that actually inspires me to carry on in difficult times, and to persevere. If I am down in the dumps, or feeling sorry for myself, I slip this one in the dvd player. Sounds corny perhaps, but it's true.
I am a great John Ford fan, and I believe this to be one of his best films; often underrated, or even ignored by film critics. To me, it is at least equal, if not superior to "The Searchers", or "The Quiet Man."
Robert Montgomery carries this film, with an understated performance that implies great strength of character, and leadership ability. The entire cast is superb.
It is a shame that this movie seems to be rarely shown on TV; perhaps it is partly due to it's length, but I attribute to sheer ignorance. Maybe this will change; AMC just ran "Bataan,", with Robert Taylor, etc., a movie I hadn't seen for over 20 years.
If you are not even a war movie, or World War II buff, but just enjoy quality filmaking that should last forever, you need to experience this example of the art.

Rating:
Date: 2008-06-02
Boring and Way Overrated
I see quite a few positive reviews of this movie written here. The only thing I can figure is that maybe the writer's of the glowing recommendations haven't seen the film lately. Or maybe it was a movie they saw with their dad and it holds a special place in their hearts. Whatever the reason, I'm here to tell you that this is by far one of the most boring films I have ever struggled through. I am a movie buff, and only watch the classics anymore and this film is way overrated. Each scene is filmed like it's the last scene of the movie. It's actually kind of strange how Ford tried to make each scene sappy, or filmed with over-the-top sentimental music, etc. Great film if you need something to help you go to sleep. If you want a good WWII film, watch "Action in the North Atlantic".

Rating:
Date: 2008-04-14
The best of the Best of WWII movies!!!
I just sat down to rewatch this war movie & it has to be one of my top 3 favorites. This has so much going for it on so many levels. The start always brings tears to my eyes when it's announced at the dance that the Japanese have just bombed Pearl Harbor & then the Philippine band breaks out singing "My Country Tis of Thee" as a salute to their defenders. The interaction of all the actors is great. This is one movie I feel John Wayne shows a real spark for his female co-star---Donna Reed is some classy woman & he knows it. They go well together. I sure like Mr. Montgomery in this role. Also, John Ford put such realism & detail into everything---the shadows of the characters in the tunnels of Bataan is quite effective. Also, showing how young two of the sailors were shows he knew his subject. Everytime I see this outstanding movie I seem to see something I hadn't see before. This also makes me appreciate the hard work the navy has always done. A CLASSIC MOVIE!

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