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  • Full Frame
  • Dual Layer ( )
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  • English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
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    English, French
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  • Theatrical trailer

They Were Expendable

Warner Bros./Warner Home Video . R4 . COLOR . 135 mins . G . PAL

  Feature
Contract

This movie should have been called They Were Extendable in reference to the unnecessarily long scenes in this film that drag an 80 minute film into the 135 minute realm. And talk about dull; the lulls between action were a real chance to catch a nap before opening one eye, nup nuthin’, back to the nap, open one eye, oh good some action… no wait, it’s John Wayne standing in front of some palm trees looking moody. Back to the nap…

"You can’t build a Navy reputation riding a plywood dream."

This story is about the vital role PT Boats had in the buying of time after Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941. Vital because they were all the US Army had in the vicinity to buy them that time and were looked on as a kind of ‘pity outfit’. So they basically used untested equipment (and the men who were proud of that equipment) as cannon fodder. Based on actual men and events and using Navy and Army resources and cooperation, this movie is almost a paid service announcement for how great Navy life is (particularly if your outfit gets the honour of being named expendable!). Remember those old war comics that were like, paperback sized and full of heroism and Nazi cowardice? Same thing, right down to the black and white (and title).

  Video
Contract

So, it’s been ascertained that this is a rather dreary war movie. Shot in glorious black and white and sporting a magnificent 4:3 transfer this one will help while away those hours you would ordinarily fill watching paint dry. Replete in gorgeous NTSC to really bring those colours to life and sporting a delightful series of film artefacts, this film is sure to please anyone who remembers how crappy old movies can be. The blacks aren’t consistent either, and everything goes round and round in the grain filter. Another annoying thing (among an arm-long list): There are summaries of how many boats got hit, how many shots fired and how many survivors from each incidental skirmish, and they’re all painted on signs and shot on the beach under the shade of the coconut palms. It was three of these before I realised they were summaries and not signs left by moving soldiers as they relocated base.

  Audio
Contract

The sound is mostly clear and this doesn’t help. You know that rotten old singing voice that’s high and whiny during torch songs of that era? Plenty of that if yer a fan. On top of this, the music supporting that is tinny and the film’s supporting music is typically ‘war film’ oriented, full of rousing horns (heh) and ‘go get ‘em boys’ fanfares. Yeah, war! Yeah!

Sound effects come straight from a can under the sound guy’s chair, with every sound effect you’ve come to know and love in war films collected together in one uneasy to swallow pill. They also overshadow the tinny music most of the time too, so I guess it’s win/win. Sorta.

And just while I’m here in audio; the most exciting line in the whole film was “Unfasten your pants.” Good advice.

  Extras
Contract

One stinkin’ Theatrical Trailer proclaiming: “It’s the greatest adventure ever filmed!”

If you say so.

  Overall  
Contract

Okay, this film was made in 1945 and I’m being too hard on it. Well, I’m sorry, but this is just a disappointing effort. I’m sure there are collectors out there who want every one of John Wayne’s 250+ movies on DVD and good luck to ‘em, but I’m gonna bet that this’un will sit collecting dust on those same shelves. It’s too long with too little plot and a tacked on love story that is so tacked on that if they omitted it entirely, it wouldn't tie to the rest of the story. Which makes us wonder why they included it to begin with. Perhaps even back then they knew this film sucked? To its credit, there are occasional nice shots of boats being blown up and nice sea camerawork, but too few and too far between.

Boooo!


  • LINK: http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=2783
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      And I quote...
    "The most exciting line in the whole film is "Unfasten your pants". Good advice..."
    - Jules Faber
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Nintaus DVD-N9901
    • TV:
          Sony 51cm
    • Receiver:
          Diamond
    • Speakers:
          Diamond
    • Surrounds:
          No Name
    • Audio Cables:
          Standard Optical
    • Video Cables:
          Standard Component RCA
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