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They Were Expendable

(1945)

December 7, 1945 2h 15m
65%
TMDB Score

Overview

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.

John Ford

Director

Top Billed Cast

RM

Robert Montgomery

Lt. John Brickley

JW

John Wayne

Lt. (J.G.) 'Rusty' Ryan

DR

Donna Reed

Lt. Sandy Davyss

JH

Jack Holt

General Martin

WB

Ward Bond

"Boats" Mulcahey, Chief Boatswain's Mate

MT

Marshall Thompson

Ens. 'Snake' Gardner

PL

Paul Langton

Ens. 'Andy' Andrews

LA

Leon Ames

Major James Morton

AW

Arthur Walsh

Seaman Jones

DC

Donald Curtis

Lt. (J.G.) 'Shorty' Long

Official Trailer