They were expendable (1945)

When I watch They were expendable, John Ford's reputation as an all-american director really gets clear to me. I mean, this is the same director that made The Grapes of Wrath, but one could say that the images of "the nation" (or whatever you want to call it) are from two different world. Where the latter emphasizes antagonism and conflict in a time of turmoil, the former presents a nation that must stick together in difficult times. They were expendable is a war movie made when the war was still roaring. It does not seem exaggerated to call it a propaganda movie. The story centers on the flotilla retreating from the Philippines in 1941-2. Here we have the gloriously brave & super-masculine navy men who made the Nation proud. Amid the torpedo-boat action some tear-jerking moments bring forth the gallantry and women-loving character of these men. Heroic battles and slow-burning love scenes: John Ford not only wants to make a movie about war but also about how the soldiers are ordinary people as well. Too bad that he is so involved in the quest for patriotic storytelling and that the film, as a result, contains almost no tension whatsoever. The thrill of the battle scene feels dusty and the sections that take us to the harbor or the war hospital drip with sentimental American pride.The film is said to be good because it realistically shows people committed to doing their job. This description hints at the perspective on war here: war is a project to simply go through with, as a man, with dignity and courage. John Wayne & Robert Montgomery play the heroes. The tragedy is that of the doomed battle, and at times there are moments where the fear of the soldiers shines through. These are the best parts of They were expendable - when the film diverts from its patriotic framework. It does this in focusing on the failures of the central characters - rather than being acknowledged as war heroes, they are dethroned. What can be said for this film is also that it never demonizes Japanese soldiers - they are simply never shown.