They Were Expendable

This movie accurately portrayed the expendability of WWII naval personnel in the south Pacific, though the film combined the real events involving many people in the first year of the naval war against Japan, where a handful of men and vessels were the only defense against the vicious, numerically superior Japanese air, naval, and infantry forces. Their heroism is barely portrayed by the movie, though the film is gritty enough. Excellent directing by John Ford. It is difficult knowing that you’ve been assigned to a suicide mission — and then doing your absolute best -- but that’s what these courageous young men did in WWII against a heartless and at-the-time superior Japanese onslaught. Heroes all. Excellent movie.

It’s OK if you like unabashed “golly gee whiz” movies. This was a movie for the times (WWII) to boost civilian morale, and nothing more. It’s shallow and over acted with horrible special effects. On par with a badly done high school play.

Filmed at the end of WW 2 this film depicted a dark chapter at the beginning of the Pacific War. It would have been interesting to be able to see this film at the time of its release in 1945. Seen today, it is a reminder of both the sacrifice of our fighting men, and women, at the beginning of WW2, and the odds faced in winning the Pacific phase of the war.

I'd put this on a "Ten Best Movies You Never Heard Of" list. Even though it was made by John Ford and stars John Wayne, it's not at all your typical WWII hero pic. There's something deeper here. It's about loss and bravery in a very different way than most of that era's war movies. I found it very worthwhile and have watched it several times. Like "The Maltese Falcon" or "Casablanca", there's something innately satisfying and right about the plot and characters.

John Ford at his best..My dad and his two brothers became Marines in 1944 (18,19,20 years old) ..I watched this film with them as a youngster..they were so young like the sailors & soldiers in the film...so many lips silenced as Macarthur was quoted in the opening credits..My dad and uncles..shared alot with me regarding WWII..This film was special then and is now...

Released at a time when the country was weary from War. Wayne was one of the first to try to enlist to serve in the US military but the White House told him that he could do more for the country by making movies like this to keep the morale of the servicemen and women at a high level. He did just that. This is a wonderful tribute to some of the bravest men in World War Two.

Released in 1945, just after the War was over, the film was based on a book by William L. White, recounting an actual PT Boat Squadron and its crews serving in the Philippines in 1942. The film recounts the sad days of American and Philipino defeat at the hands of the then imperialistic Japan. It is a great tribute to the sacrifices made by my father's generation, who not only survived the Great Depression, but fought and won the second World War. Filmed in the Florida Keys, it really shows the heat and humidity of a tropical environment, similar to the Philippines. A typically well done John Ford movie.