IMDb RATING
7.2/10
9.3K
YOUR RATING
A Navy commander fights to prove the battle-worthiness of the PT boat at the start of World War II.A Navy commander fights to prove the battle-worthiness of the PT boat at the start of World War II.A Navy commander fights to prove the battle-worthiness of the PT boat at the start of World War II.
- Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 2 nominations total
Robert Montgomery
- Lt. John Brickley
- (as Robert Montgomery Comdr. U.S.N.R.)
- Directors
- John Ford
- Robert Montgomery(uncredited)
- Writers
- William L. White
- Frank Wead
- Norman Corwin(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaRobert Montgomery was a real-life PT skipper in World War 2. He helped direct some of the PT sequences for the film after John Ford broke his leg three weeks into filming. Montgomery finished the film and was complimented by Ford for his work. Ford claimed he couldn't tell the difference between his footage and Montgomery's, who took no screen credit.
- GoofsA frame at the end of the movie said, "We shall return - General Douglas MacArthur". In fact, the White House tried to get the general to change his famous quote to "we" but he refused, saying he failed to see the purpose. It should read, "I shall return."
- Quotes
Lt. 'Rusty' Ryan: [as they watch the inspectors drive away] Wonderful the way people believe in those high powered canoes of yours.
Lt. John Brickley: Don't you believe in them, Rusty?
Lt. 'Rusty' Ryan: And I let you sell me that stuff about a command of my own.
Lt. John Brickley: You're skipper of the 34 boat, aren't you?
Lt. 'Rusty' Ryan: I used to skipper a cake of soap in the bathtub, too.
[He walks off]
- Crazy creditsClosing quote: "We Shall Return" Douglas MacArthur, General of the Army
- Alternate versionsMGM produced a different version, dubbed and with credits in Spanish, probably to be used by television stations. This version omits the final sequence (nearly more than 15 minutes of running time) and the film ends a previous scene with Robert Montgomery and John Wayne saying farewell to the soldiers that had to remain in the Phillipines, then the scene cuts to a plane leaving the island and to a "The End" title in Spanish. This version aired in Argentina in a cable station called "Space". Turner Network Televsion, in all Latin American countries, used to air the film in its original form. However, they lifted the Spanish language dubbing from the old version and, without any explanation why, the last minutes of the film play in English.
- ConnectionsEdited into Malaya (1949)
- SoundtracksThe Monkeys Have No Tails in Zamboanga
(uncredited)
Music adapted from the official march of the Philippine Constabulary
Written by by G. Savoca (lyrics)
[Sung in the officer's club at the beginning of the movie.]
Featured review
A film about following orders no matter how painful
One reveiwer critices this film about lack of action he misses the point,all the characters are well developed which makes the ending so painfull. The acting is first rate every part is played with a great belief,,there are so many great scenes that touch the heart.The men are bonded together by their actions and when the bonds are broken through death or orders it hurts us all. Donna Reed is gorgeous to look at ,only a small role but well acted. At the end of the film you feel a lump in your throat and a tear forms in your eye,I love this movie.9/10
helpful•555
- chisum
- Jan 31, 2002
- How long is They Were Expendable?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime2 hours 15 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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