
They Were Expendable(1945)
“A Tribute to Those Who Did So Much... With So Little!”
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.
Director
John Ford
Studio
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Cast

Robert Montgomery
as Lt. John Brickley

John Wayne
as Lt. (J.G.) 'Rusty' Ryan

Donna Reed
as Lt. Sandy Davyss

Jack Holt
as General Martin

Ward Bond
as "Boats" Mulcahey, Chief Boatswain's Mate

Marshall Thompson
as Ens. 'Snake' Gardner

Paul Langton
as Ens. 'Andy' Andrews

Leon Ames
as Major James Morton

Arthur Walsh
as Seaman Jones

Donald Curtis
as Lt. (J.G.) 'Shorty' Long

Cameron Mitchell
as Ens. George Cross

Louis Jean Heydt
as 'Ohio'
Where to Watch
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Movie Facts
Release Year
1945
Runtime
2h 15m
Language
English
Rating
6.5 / 10
Production Companies
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch They Were Expendable?▼
Check the "Where to Watch" section above for current streaming platforms, rental options, and purchase links for They Were Expendable (1945).
What is They Were Expendable about?▼
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.
Who directed They Were Expendable?▼
They Were Expendable was directed by John Ford and released in 1945. It is a drama, war film.
How long is They Were Expendable?▼
They Were Expendable has a runtime of 2 hours and 15 minutes (135 minutes total).
Who stars in They Were Expendable?▼
The cast of They Were Expendable includes Robert Montgomery as Lt. John Brickley, John Wayne as Lt. (J.G.) 'Rusty' Ryan, Donna Reed as Lt. Sandy Davyss, Jack Holt as General Martin, Ward Bond as "Boats" Mulcahey, Chief Boatswain's Mate and more.
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