They Were Expendable [Blu-ray]

John Wane is John Wane ... Love all his movies. Always a great lead actor.

I love old movies from the 30's through the 50's and some 60's, especially the black & whites ... these movies are clean - no filthy language, sex scenes, etc. ... it seems that modern movies have taken things to the extreme that you don't have to use your imagination at all ... personally, my imagination is a lot better than there's ...

good movie

This is a great movie. WWII PT boats and their crews, making it possible for General MacArthur to escape the Philippines when the Japanese were closing in. It makes the loyalty of these sailors to one another and the dedicated, quiet patriotism that this inspiring generation left to us come fully to life for a little while. The love story is completely unnecessary, the real story is about these sailors and the hard and horrible sacrifices that they were called on to make.A very special Christmas gift for my family. I purchased 5 copies, and provided each of my sons (and sons-in -law) with the documents and links to further information. One of my relatives was one of the 'expendables', a Navy guy who had to be left behind. He never made it home after the Bataan March. I wanted a way to let him live on for the next generations, and this wonderful film was exactly perfect for the purpose. There is a marker for him in the US Pacific War cemetery in the Philippines, but his body was never found to be returned, so other than a photograph I had no other way to make him real. I'm so glad this movie was available on DVD.I used the gift as a moment to act like an old lady, doing the "...back in my day". Not really, but I did tell each of them that the next time they think about saying how 'stressed' their lives are with their commute and their jobs and their families, think about what these guys, younger than they, faced in their short lives. And to be grateful for the bravery of the 'expendables' and so many others.

Excellent John Wayne film. So well acted. Shows the heroism of World War II so well.

tv movie

They Were Expendable is the story of a small number of Sailors who found themselves in the Phillipines as World War II started. These men are operating small torpedo boats for the Navy which doesn't seem to have much of a use for them, if one listems to the admirals and captains viewing them in action.The all star cast includes George Montgomery, Donna Reed, John Wayne and Ward Bond, amongst others. All are excellent and make this story much more real than it might otherwise have been. You get the feel for the Philippines and the climate. Plus the deterioriation of the situation as the Army is forced down the Bataan Peninsula to the island of Corregidor and the ultimate siege and defeat.Many people "remember" Pearl Harbor but don't quite recall that the Philippines was a starker defeat for the United States. If you look at it objectively, Pearl Harbor was essentially avenged at the Battle of Midway. The Philippines took over2 1/2 years to see the return of US forces and it then evolved into a slogging match with the Japanese Army that went on until the surrender of Japan in 1945. Pearl Harbor sticks in the mind, the Philippines rapidly faded away.This movie brings back the events that made up the US role in the Philippines in 1941 and early 42. You see at the end that there is not a happy ending. The romantic interest stays behind to become a POW. The remaining members of the PT crews become rifle carrying Sailors as they march off into the bush. Pay attention to Montgomerey's farewell talk to his men. It should rank up there with Washington's farewell to the Army.This is a film that should be seen by all with an interst in Naval and Military history as well as the events of 1941-42. It is a movie about people that could be anyone of us.

An epic look at events surrounding the largest surrender of American troops in history.The title "They were Expendable", refers to the American soldiers, sailors, and airmen defending the Philippines in early 1942 from the invading Empire of Japan.Already serving on December 7th, 1941, there would be no rescue, reinforcement or resupply . . . simply orders to resist the enemy's advance.The story centers around Lt. Bulkeley's (Brickley in the Film) Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three, six 77 ft Elco PT Boats, their role in the defence., and their later role in the escape of MacArthur.Powered by three 1200hp V-12s, there is plenty of dramatic on the water action from real PT Boats.Made during the War, the film is far from a propaganda piece, it is a relatively authentic look at a time, only one lifetime ago, when Americans were forced to make the ultimate sacrifice for country with no hope of relief from an overwhelming enemy.