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How others will see it. Military buffs and historians will value They Were Expendable, which appears to be a credible document of the boats' use during the early months of the Pacific theater. The Philippines fell to the Japanese, but not without a fight that bought time for the U.S. to fully prepare for the war. And General MacArthur was correct. He did return to the Philippines, not a big surprise considering the size of the U.S. economy versus that of Japan.
Those who don't appreciate the educational value of They Were Expendable should probably take a pass. It is a well intentioned effort, and there are big names behind the project: director John Ford, his favorite actor, John Wayne, the implacable Ward Bond, and the always welcome Robert Montgomery. The latter was a top star due to two box-office hits just prior to his real-life PT boat war service, Here Comes Mr. Jordan and Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
As entertainment, however, They Were Expendable is a dud. It is probably forty minutes too long, and all the battles and travails tend to merge together. The story is a downer, as well. The occasional Jap cruiser is sunk, but the PT boats are gradually decimated, and the Philippines eventually falls. This was hardly the end of the war, but military triumph would have to wait another few years.
How I felt about it. Surprisingly, They Were Expendable is judicious toward the Japanese. In this film, they are a ferocious and unseen enemy, rather than a subject of racist caricature. The deference extends to young Donna Reed, who due to her looks receives VIP treatment from sailors amazed to be in her presence.
The men have few weaknesses. Some may boast, or even neglect duty. But all are anxious to die for their country in combat, and there apparently isn't a slacker in the whole military. You'd think at least one feller would rather idle about the barracks than risk getting shot or sunk. If this person exists, he's smart enough to keep his mouth shut about it.
Early on, conflict arises between Montgomery and Wayne. The latter is ambitious in his Navy career, while the former is devoted to his cause, the promotion of the PT boats as mobile weapons against enemy ships. The conflict recedes once Wayne is finally able to see action.
Comic relief is surprisingly sparse. An ensign samples dishwater under the impression it is soup, and a black cat is adopted as a good luck symbol. But then again, war is a serious matter, as the frequent deaths of sailors will attest.