Rating: 
Summary: An Outstanding War Film
Review: I agree wholeheartedly with those giving this movie 5 stars. If you are a WWII buff, THIS MOVIE MUST BE ADDED TO YOUR COLLECTION. If your eyes don't get a little misty at the end when the last C-47 departs the Phillipines as the Japs close in, YOU ARE NOT AN AMERICAN. Major Dave Garrison, USAF Retired
Rating:
Summary: The best war movie of all time!
Review: I am a Navy veteran. I served in the Submarine service, and truly understand what it means to live with men facing danger at all times. They Were Expendable is a film about courage,sacrifice, and the hard decisions that men under arms must face on a daily basis. I felt like a member of the crew, and at no time did I feel that I was "watching a movie." It should make all Americans understand what all servicemen in the Philipines did in the early months of World War II. They fought the holding action that led to our eventual victory!THE BEST WAR MOVIE IN OUR HISTORY!
Rating: 
Summary: They were...and so is this movie.
Review: I have one thing to say.....BORING!I should have followed my instincts on this one, but unfortunately I fell for some of the reviews here and that was clearly a mistake.First of all Robert Montgomery is terrible in the lead role, he just doesnt have the presence to pull it off. And secondly, if you expect action in this film you will be sorely disappointed, as I am. Like I said, I should have known better. No disrespect to the men that fought in the Pacific, but this movie doesnt do you justice. Very dull. Wish I hadn't bought this.
Rating:
Summary: No Mock Heroics -- This is the Real Thing. Beautifully Done
Review: If you're looking for mock Hollywood heroics or a bloated 'action movie', try The Flying Tigers or The Fighting Seabees. This beautifully made, understated film is about the courage and dedication of the forsaken Phillipine defenders in 1941-42. In particular, the scene in which a radio announces the American surrender tells what those early days were really like. John Ford, who served in the Navy, casts Robert Montgomery as a PT squadron leader (in fact, Commander Montgomery served in the same PT squadron with John Kennedy). The b&w photography is outstanding, often mesmerizing, quite unique for a war film, with locations that are dead ringers for the originals. Adapted from the 1942 Pulitzer prize book by a reporter who was on the scene, it follows the true story fairly closely. Every performance is right-on, as are the combat scenes. Not a pumped-up excercise in flag waving; rather, it's a well executed tale of courage in desperate times. Every scene fascinates with the ambiance of its time and place, and with chilling historical accuracy. If the ending doesn't get a grip on you, you're a lost cause. And, yes, Doug MacArthur is treated like a god -- which, in those days, he was. No ostentatious preaching here; it's understated brilliance from start to finish, and an education in an earlier generation's attitude toward duty, integrity, and sacrifice. Bruce Willis fans stay clear; this is a war movie for grown-ups.
Rating:
Summary: No Mock Heroics -- This is the Real Thing. Beautifully Done
Review: If you're looking for mock Hollywood heroics or a bloated 'action movie', try The Flying Tigers or The Fighting Seabees. This beautifully made, understated film is about the courage and dedication of the forsaken Phillipine defenders in 1941-42. In particular, the scene in which a radio announces the American surrender tells what those early days were really like. John Ford, who served in the Navy, casts Robert Montgomery as a PT squadron leader (in fact, Commander Montgomery served in the same PT squadron with John Kennedy). The b&w photography is outstanding, often mesmerizing, quite unique for a war film, with locations that are dead ringers for the originals. Adapted from the 1942 Pulitzer prize book by a reporter who was on the scene, it follows the true story fairly closely. Every performance is right-on, as are the combat scenes. Not a pumped-up excercise in flag waving; rather, it's a well executed tale of courage in desperate times. Every scene fascinates with the ambiance of its time and place, and with chilling historical accuracy. If the ending doesn't get a grip on you, you're a lost cause. And, yes, Doug MacArthur is treated like a god -- which, in those days, he was. No ostentatious preaching here; it's understated brilliance from start to finish, and an education in an earlier generation's attitude toward duty, integrity, and sacrifice. Bruce Willis fans stay clear; this is a war movie for grown-ups.
Rating:
Summary: An Overlooked Classic
Review: It is easy to understand why "They Were Expendable" was not a popular film at the time of release. America had won the war, and the public was in no mood to view a film that told a story of defeat. Pity. This brilliant work told a simple story of how men, unprepared for war, dealt with the all too real weight of impending defeat at the hands of a superior enemy. The cast is outstanding, especially John Wayne, who actually plays a role with understated (for him)simplicity. The action sequences are astonishing - especially the initial sequence in Manilla Bay. Based on a true story, John Ford's respectful tribute is wonderful to behold. In my opinion, "Battleground" "12'O Clock High" and "They Were Expendable" are the best period WWII films ever made.
Rating:
Summary: An Overlooked Classic
Review: It is easy to understand why "They Were Expendable" was not a popular film at the time of release. America had won the war, and the public was in no mood to view a film that told a story of defeat. Pity. This brilliant work told a simple story of how men, unprepared for war, dealt with the all too real weight of impending defeat at the hands of a superior enemy. The cast is outstanding, especially John Wayne, who actually plays a role with understated (for him)simplicity. The action sequences are astonishing - especially the initial sequence in Manilla Bay. Based on a true story, John Ford's respectful tribute is wonderful to behold. In my opinion, "Battleground" "12'O Clock High" and "They Were Expendable" are the best period WWII films ever made.
Rating:
Summary: A Combat Film Masterpiece That Never Disappoints
Review: It seems odd to refer to a war flick as a masterpiece. But after spending [$$]to watch the computerized, overhyped, dumbed-down disaster called "Pearl Harbor" recently, I had to rush home and drag out my copy of They Were Expendable to re-discover what a REAL war movie is! The director, writer, tech crew, and many performers were WWII Vets: Ford was at Midway and Normandy, Montgomery was a PT commander in the Pacific (and he directed the action sequences and other scenes while Ford was laid up with an injury). If you've seen pics of the original Subic Bay, etc., you'll see that the filmed locations (Florida) are a perfect match for the real scenes. The first-rate script thankfully holds true to the original book most of the time, and the special effects don't fly in the face of belief the way most action films do. Those who've never seen R. Montgomery in a flick will discover what a great actor Elizabeth Montgomery's dad was. He also went on to become one of early tv's most creative live-drama producers. The photography is strikingly moody, often gorgeous (photo buffs will have a field day!). Above all, the film reveals the attitudes, the bravery, the social values, the tragedy of that era as no other war film before or since. If you liked "Pearl Harbor" and its ilk, you'll hate this movie -- there's no hype, no fiction, no self-absorbed denial of reality -- just real grown-up men and women in a dark time in our country's history, facing duty and danger with courage and dignity. Ford does have some comic relief now and then (note the slightly satiric edge in the sequence with Doug MacArthur). This movie is about sacrifice and honor, something sorely missing nowadays, and how the characters of that time and place rose to the awesome challenge that was WWII. Technically darn near perfect, with supurb performances from Montgomery, Wayne, and the rest. Donna Reed in her first film is terrifically charming and oh, so real. Best of all, it's a true story, authentically filmed. Unless you're a totally insensitive louse, you won't be disappointed. Terrific ending, too.
Rating:
Summary: Unadorned war
Review: It's hard not to overpraise this wonderful depictment of the disastrous opening phase of America's Second World War in the Pacific. There are a couple of criticisms to make, however, basically about the lack of the Filipino or Japanese viewpoints. We see neither here; the Philipine theater is just a backdrop for the heroic and anti-heroic events that befell one of America's PT squadrons. That aside, John Ford's direction and marvelous performances by a big cast are enough to rate this film with "Battleground" and "Twelve O'Clock High" as the best American movies about WW2.
Rating:
Summary: Home is the sailor, home from the sea
Review: John Ford's THEY WERE EXPENDABLE tells the story of the fledgling PT (patrol torpedo) boat branch of the US Navy and its valiant, and futile, defense of Manila immediately following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
Few directors possess the passionate affection Ford has for his subjects. Ford idolizes and idealizes his soldiers and sailors. As a consequence, his movies usually aren't very plot driven. Rather, they are tone poems, love letters to the warriors he so deeply admires. Not that TWE doesn't hit a major note or two - the PT boat role as a fighting arm is established, battles are fought and boats are sunk. Yet Ford never seems all that interested in serving plot points. He wants to paint Heroes. In any other director this romantic treatment would seem trite and contrived, but Ford practically built the cliché, so I suppose if anyone has the right to use it, it's Ford.
Ford's heroes die talking. Rare is the mortally wound Ford warrior who is not borne from the noisy cauldron of battle to a quiet corner and allowed a passing speech. I don't mean to mock this, but I've never experienced the well of grief such scenes are meant to evoke. It happens a brief time or two in TWE, but the moments are over quickly enough.
If Ford's choice and treatment of material is romantic and sentimental, it's fortunate that his actors usually aren't. Robert Montgomery and John Wayne star and both give restrained performances as PT boat commanders. Ford surrounds them with his usual cast of highly competent character actors - Ward Bond, Jack Holt, et al - and seamlessly integrates shots of real combat in battle scenes. There's a scene where two PT boats attack a Japanese cruiser that is one of the best action sequences I've ever seen.
THEY WERE EXPENDABLE is a great war movie.
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