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Trailer

They Were Expendable

1945Movie2 h 15 minNR

Drama
70
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb7.2Metacritic86–Rotten Tomatoes91%72%

A thrilling, nostalgic drama movie about history and war.

Good for family movie night · friends night · kids

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Not for laughs or scares.

Movies with

Story

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.

Feels like

  • WWII Naval Warfare
  • PT Boat Squadron
  • Realistic War Drama
  • Historical Action
  • Brotherhood and Sacrifice
  • Stark Realism
  • Bleak Outlook
  • American Valor

Cast

24 of 58

Crew

Directed by
John Ford
Written by
Frank Wead, Christina Stead
Produced by
John Ford
Music by
Herbert Stothart

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

December 7, 1945 · 2 h 15 min · NR

Released
December 7, 1945
Runtime
2 h 15 min
Age rating
NR
Content
Violence
Genres
Drama, War
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Available in
33 countries
Keywords
based on novel or book

Tropes

Bittersweet Ending, Heroic BSoD, Trauma Conga Line +9

  • Bittersweet Ending
  • Heroic BSoD
  • Trauma Conga Line
  • Team Pet
  • It Has Been an Honor
  • Ignored Vital News Reports
  • Dances and Balls
  • Abandon Ship
  • Cool Old Guy
  • No One Gets Left Behind
  • Fragile Speedster
  • Shoo Out the Clowns

12 of 30 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

4 questions, like "Where can I stream They Were Expendable?"

Questions about They Were Expendable

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream They Were Expendable?

PlexTubi TV

In the United States, They Were Expendable is free with ads on Plex and Tubi TV. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 4 other countries.

Is They Were Expendable worth watching?

70
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 70 (IMDb 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes 91%, and Metacritic 86). Critics rate it higher (89 out of 100) than audiences (72).

Is They Were Expendable okay for kids?

NRViolence

Yes: it's rated NR in the United States for violence, and the viewing guide lists it for kids.

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 tropes for it, including Bittersweet Ending, Heroic BSoD, and Trauma Conga Line.