They Were Expendable (1945)

Action, Drama, War
John Wayne, Marshall Thompson, Donna Reed, Jack Pennick
In the wake of Pearl Harbor's surprise attack, World War II hero, Lt. John Brickley's experimental squadron of agile fast-attack Patrol Torpedo boats is sent to warm and humid Manila to avert a potentially imminent Japanese invasion. As he and his second-in-command, Lieutenant "Rusty" Ryan, desperately try to prove the newly-founded naval unit's worth, the enemy launches a devastating all-out attack--and despite the PT boat flotilla's undeniable success--the considerably outnumbered and outgunned American soldiers are fighting a losing battle. Little by little, the Philippine campaign is doomed to cave in, as comrades-in-arms perish in the sea. Is there glory in defeat?—Nick Riganas
  • 1945-12-07 Released:
  • N/A DVD Release:
  • N/A Box office:
  • N/A Writer:
  • John Ford Director:
  • N/A Website:

All subtitles:



Trailer: