Plot
In the wake of Pearl Harbor's surprise attack, World War II hero, Lt. John Brickley's experimental squadron of agile fast-attack Patrol Torpedo boats is sent to warm and humid Manila to avert a potentially imminent Japanese invasion. As he and his second-in-command, Lieutenant "Rusty" Ryan, desperately try to prove the newly-founded naval unit's worth, the enemy launches a devastating all-out attack--and despite the PT boat flotilla's undeniable success--the considerably outnumbered and outgunned American soldiers are fighting a losing battle. Little by little, the Philippine campaign is doomed to cave in, as comrades-in-arms perish in the sea. Is there glory in defeat?
Written by
William L. White, Frank Wead, Norman Corwin
Directed by
John Ford, Robert Montgomery
Crew
Production Countries
United States of America
Production Companies
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Languages
English
Awards
Nominated for 2 Oscars. 2 nominations total