They Were Expendable poster

They Were Expendable(1945)

2h 15mDrama, WarEnglish
6.5/10
135 user ratings

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

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Cast

Robert Montgomery

Robert Montgomery

as Lt. John Brickley

John Wayne

John Wayne

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

Donna Reed

Donna Reed

as Lt. Sandy Davyss

Jack Holt

Jack Holt

as General Martin

Ward Bond

Ward Bond

as "Boats" Mulcahey, Chief Boatswain's Mate

Marshall Thompson

Marshall Thompson

as Ens. 'Snake' Gardner

Paul Langton

Paul Langton

as Ens. 'Andy' Andrews

Leon Ames

Leon Ames

as Major James Morton

Arthur Walsh

Arthur Walsh

as Seaman Jones

Donald Curtis

Donald Curtis

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

Cameron Mitchell

Cameron Mitchell

as Ens. George Cross

Louis Jean Heydt

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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