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They Were Expendable [1945]
![They Were Expendable [1945]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51b7mtkZn5L._SL160_.jpg)
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One of the Best
Review date: 2007-07-06 Rating: 10 out of 10
This black and white film was made just after the end of WWII, and so it might be expected to be very gung ho, but that is far from the case. It is a contemplative film about US servicemen and women living a desperate situation in the Philippines during the Japanese invasion in 1941, scripted by Frank 'Spig' Wead, himself a serving naval officer during the war.
The story surrounds Motor Torpedo Squadron 3, led by Lieutenants Brickley and Ryan (Montgomery and Wayne), and is loosely based on the real-life Lieutenants Bulkeley and Kelly. The squadron with just a handful of plywood boats was virtually the only US naval force available to fight the entire Japanese invasion fleet, and the sense of hopelessness allied to a desire to fight pervades the entire film. We follow them as they get forced back from one base to another, always looking to the horizon in the hope that the US fleet will steam in to save the day. At the time, few on the islands were aware of the magnitude of the Pearl Harbor disaster, and so it only gradually dawns on the characters that there is not going to be any help.
Certainly the squadron portrayed in the film sinks rather more ships than it did in real life, and the way the boats go about attacking ships is chosen for its screen impact rather than its realism (that's Hollywood I suppose, but it does make for some very exciting scenes). However, the essentials of the story are very well portrayed - the acting and screenplay are both first class. John Wayne plays second fiddle to Robert Montgomery, with the result that his feet are kept fairly firmly on deck and his heroics remain in check. Fine performances from Donna Reed, Ward Bond and several others help to create a very convincing atmosphere.
To my knowledge, it is the only feature film to focus exclusively on the smaller elements of WWII navies (PTs, MTBs, MGBs, Coastal Forces, etc.). I can think of none at all which feature the Royal Navy's Coastal Forces (please add a comment if you can put me straight on this). So for that reason alone it has its attractions for anyone with an interest in naval warfare. But in my view its thoughtful and fairly realistic portrayal of the events makes it worthy to stand alongside the other three great films about WWII at sea: The Cruel Sea, Tora Tora Tora and Das Boot.
Incidentally, without giving the plot away, the ending may seem like an improbable Hollywood twist, but it did in fact happen to Bulkeley and Kelly.
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Reviews
Good watchable film
Review date: 2007-06-28 Rating: 6 out of 10
They Were Expendable wase made in 1945 and as such that is what you get. A good film for the time, with the 'perfect' hero's fighting the evil enemy for the good of the world.
Exciting stuff at times, and at others times really poor.
So 3 stars.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
John Wayne
Donna Reed
Robert Montgomery
Jack Holt
Ward Bond
Creators:
Robert Montgomery (Primary Contributor)
John Wayne (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 7321900524421
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Black & White, PAL,
Release date: 2006-08-21
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 129 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1945
Language: English (Original Language)