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They Were Expendable

1945·Movie
2h 15min·NR

Where to watch

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

They Were Expendable fingerprint

High energy, striking style, a touch of humor.

Energy

Thrilling and tense

Fast from start to finish.

  • Adrenaline8
  • Tension7
  • Fast Pace7

Heart

Nostalgic and cathartic

  • Nostalgia8
  • Catharsis7
  • Pathos6

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay3
  • Dark Humor3
  • Situational Comedy2

World

History, war, and a real life story

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • World Immersion8
  • Dialogue Centrality6
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout direction and performances

  • Direction8
  • Acting8
  • Narrative Structure7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography7
  • Music Composition7
  • Sound Centrality7

Who it's for

AdultsFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensDrop-in FriendlyThought-Provoking

Find more like it

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

A Tribute to Those Who Did So Much... With So Little!

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.
WWII Naval WarfarePT Boat SquadronRealistic War DramaHistorical ActionBrotherhood and SacrificeStark RealismBleak OutlookAmerican Valor

Actors

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

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Questions about They Were Expendable

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream They Were Expendable legally?

They Were Expendable is included with a subscription to YouTube TV, TCM, and HBO Max in the United States. You can watch it free with ads on Plex and Tubi TV. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is They Were Expendable worth watching?

70
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 70/100 (IMDb 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes 91%, and Metacritic 86). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is They Were Expendable rated?

NRViolence

It's rated NR in the United States. Content advisories: violence.

How long is They Were Expendable?

2 h 15 min

They Were Expendable runs 2 h 15 min.

Is They Were Expendable based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on They Were Expendable?

Critics89
Audiences72

Not quite. Critics rate They Were Expendable higher (89) than audiences (72). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

What language is They Were Expendable in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch They Were Expendable?

33ARATAUBOCACHCLCOCRDEDKECESFI+19

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for They Were Expendable in 33 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does They Were Expendable use?

Bittersweet EndingHeroic BSoDTrauma Conga LineTeam PetIt Has Been an HonorIgnored Vital News ReportsDances and BallsAbandon ShipCool Old GuyNo One Gets Left BehindFragile SpeedsterShoo Out the Clownsand 18 more

TV Tropes lists 30 storytelling tropes for They Were Expendable, including Bittersweet Ending, Heroic BSoD, Trauma Conga Line.