They Were Expendable

1945. USA. Directed by John Ford. Screenplay by Frank W. Wead, based on the book by William L. White. With Robert Montgomery, Donna Reed. Ford returned from his very active and triumphant service in WWII to film this account of the American defeat in the Philippines. Montgomery plays a real-life PT boat pioneer, while Wayne, who managed to avoid active duty (to Ford's long-standing chagrin), plays Montgomery's lieutenant. 135 min.