They Were Expendable

Another great WWII movie with no one star, just an outstanding ensemble cast.

Action/war sequences are outstanding, but this kind of falls into a category with most other Hollywood propaganda-y war movies made during WW2 for me, with the other elements being only middling. It's two hours 15 minutes but feels a lot longer. I thought it had been going forever and it still had like 45 minutes to go. It's decent, but these movies just don't tend to be my thing. If you usually like war movies of this era, though, you'll probably like this one.

Fomos os Sacrificados estreava há 75 anos nos EUA. Não é dos meus Fords favoritos, mas felizmente não é ruim, especialmente se comparado com aquele filme sobre a guerra do Pacífico que o Lang faria cinco anos depois. Box Versátil A Segunda Guerra no Cinema.

John Ford's big tribute to those that stayed behind when the Japanese invaded Philippines in 1941. And it's especially for those that wasn't necessary trained for war that this story is about, where we get a solid pairing of Robert Montgomery & John Wayne going through their various situations. Only tells the first part of the war so the story becomes half-way inconclusive. High quality war movie that doesn't bang on the sensational drum for its story.

Viewed June 16, 2019.

81.50

(Rewatched: 16/08/20): While there is an element of patriotic propaganda in T.W.E, which is typical of American war films, especially old ones, the flag waving is tempered by a realistic, relatively unromanticised account of human sacrifice and a bedrudging acknowledgement of failure. That was a rarity in American war films in Ford's day, and the lingering melancholy of the US military's impending defeat makes its presence felt. Ford's handling of action is first rate, and it's beautifully shot.

80.000

The cinematography was the only thing I liked about this film.

it's all gooey with a nationalistic was message, but the underlying movie here is still a pretty fine war flick.

#505

461

Not bad but has some significant problems hindering it. The acting is mediocre and the pacing is way too slow. It's fine to have long lulls in the action, but they should be achieved by having scenes that develop characters, not by dragging out every scene. On the brighter side while the film has its share of war movie cliches, Ford keeps them to a minimum and uses them to provide some interesting contrasts. It's also full of splendid shots.

The cinematography is very good, highlighted by some impressive battle scenes. And the story is mildly engaging, although rather fragmented. It's the attitude I can't tolerate. All this gung ho patriotism makes me ill. They're falling all over themselves to serve their country and go kill some "Japs" and "nips". When they get put on "boring" duties, they get very crestfallen and start whining their asses off. And the score is unbearable. Sentimental, heavy-handed pap, and poorly acted as well.

403

Fantastic. Easily one of my favorite Ford films. Takes the heroic actions of a small and forgotten group of PT sailors and puts them in the context of the withdrawal of the Philippines. The resulting melancholy throughout the film, combined with Ford's patience and willingness to let the pictures do the talking, makes this a great film.

# 362

Not bad.