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Poster for The Fighting Seabees

The Fighting Seabees

Seen it?

1944 | 100 min | Drama, Action, War

Saturday Specialearly rating

Why it’s a Saturday Special

Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.

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

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for action fans and history buffs. If you loved The Guns of Navarone or Greyhound, start here.
The mood
Intense.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 40 min.
What might put you off
Made in 1944: an older pace and style.

Construction workers in World War II in the Pacific are needed to build military sites, but the work is dangerous and they doubt the ability of the Navy to protect them. After a series of attacks by the Japanese, something new is tried, Construction Battalions (CBs=Seabees). The new CBs have to both build and be ready to fight.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    100% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsBelow par

    Nominated for 1 Oscar.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $4 million worldwide on a $2 million budget

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 14K people sought it out in the past year

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Cast & crew

Directed by Edward Ludwig

  • John WayneLt. Cmdr. Wedge Donovan
  • Susan HaywardConstance Chesley
  • Dennis O'KeefeLt. Cmdr. Robert Yarrow
  • William FrawleyEddie Powers
  • Leonid KinskeyJohnny Novasky
  • J.M. KerriganSawyer Collins
  • Grant WithersWhanger Spreckles
  • Paul FixDing Jacobs
  • Ben WeldenYump Lumkin
  • William ForrestLt. Tom Kerrick