They Were Expendable
1945 · 135 min
Directed by John Ford, Robert Montgomery. Written by Frank Wead, Norman Corwin. Starring Robert Montgomery, John Wayne, Donna Reed, Jack Holt.
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.
Critics 90% · audiences 72% · streaming on HBO Max, Tubi · 2 Oscar nominations