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Poster for They Were Expendable

They Were Expendable

Seen it?

1945 | 135 min | Drama, War

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (92% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for history buffs. If you loved The Guns of Navarone or Greyhound, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Intense.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 15 min.
What might put you off
  • Made in 1945: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

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.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 86 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.5 out of 10

  • AwardsSolid

    Nominated for 2 Oscars.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $4 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 66K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by John Ford

  • Robert MontgomeryLt. John Brickley
  • John WayneLt. (J.G.) 'Rusty' Ryan
  • Donna ReedLt. Sandy Davyss
  • Jack HoltGeneral Martin
  • Ward Bond"Boats" Mulcahey, Chief Boatswain's Mate
  • Marshall ThompsonEns. 'Snake' Gardner
  • Paul LangtonEns. 'Andy' Andrews
  • Leon AmesMajor James Morton
  • Arthur WalshSeaman Jones
  • Donald CurtisLt. (J.G.) 'Shorty' Long