Review of They Were Expendable (1945) by Grant S — 26 Apr 2014
Great WW2 naval drama. Loosely based on the US defense of the Philippines during the first few months of the US's involvement in WW2.
Examines a branch of the US Navy not often featured in movies - PT (Patrol Torpedo) boats. Quite gritty in its portrayal of the war in the Philippines, though the role of the PT boats is a touch overstated and over-glamorized.
Solid direction by John Ford, as you would expect. Good action sequences and cinematography, especially for the time.
John Wayne is his usual swaggering, gung-ho self in his role. Richard Montgomery got top billing and well-deserved it: solid, understated performance, especially when compared to Wayne's.
This review of They Were Expendable (1945) was written by Grant S on 26 Apr 2014.
They Were Expendable has generally received positive reviews.
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