PT 109

1963

2h 20m

Biography

List

64%

11 Reviews

Tomatometer

53%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

Before he becomes commander-in-chief, John F. Kennedy (Cliff Robertson) is a lieutenant, junior grade, in command of a PT-109 boat during World War II. In Leslie H. Martinson's dramatization of the future president's war efforts, Kennedy uses his family name to put himself in the action instead of shirking his duties. Assigned to battle in the Solomon Islands, he leads his crew on treacherous rescue missions. When their ship is cut down, Kennedy and his men must swim to an island for survival.

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Steve D

Propaganda not history.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I happened onto this film while browsing through the channels. I thought it was McHale's Navy for quite some time. I was surprised when I saw Cliff Robertson and realized it was PT 109. Cheesy lines like "Is it always this hot?" "No, sometimes it gets hotter."

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Robertson made no attempt to act like Kennedy. Isn't that what "acting" means? Doesn't a good actor study dialects mannerisms, and speech patterns? Was Marlon Brando the first actor to really play a part? Was Meryl Streep the first actor to really understand that playing a part meant speaking like who they were portraying? This was a potentially significant movie, but it missed any claim to greatness because of the actors' deficits and the script that was paltry and threadbare. That this incident led to bigger things, like the election of JFK as Senator, would have tightened things down and changed the movie's dull pace.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The best inspiring movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

As one with salt in my veins (BT3-USN,FSOPS,USCGAux)I enjoyed it. I put my self in their shoes. Having been through 1 ship wreck that seen was a bit to real! I wonder too if the real JFK was as passive as he was portrayed in the movie. I wonder why CO Richie attitude changed when JFK told him he had been trained at 'Melville'? overall 4.7

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A feel good piece about JFK and his role in the South Pacific in ww2.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/23/17

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Leslie H. Martinson

Director

Cliff Robertson

Lt. John F. Kennedy

Ty Hardin

Ens. Leonard J. Thom

James Gregory

Cmdr. C.R. Ritchie

Robert Culp

Ens. George "Barney" Ross

Grant Williams

Lt., Alvin Cluster

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

It probably works best for fans of the popular President.

Rated: C+

Jun 3, 2016

Full Review

Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

Mild drama is best in long opening showing restoration of PT boat.

Oct 2, 2014

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Turner Classic Movies Online

Much of the film hits the familiar notes of the classic platoon film with a stiff reverence... It also delivers a personable portrait of an inspiring leader.

Apr 11, 2010

Full Review

Michael A. Smith

Nolan's Pop Culture Review

JFK as most remember him. Fine performance by Robertson.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 14, 2006

Full Review

Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 2/5

Oct 9, 2005

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jun 15, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

Before he becomes commander-in-chief, John F. Kennedy (Cliff Robertson) is a lieutenant, junior grade, in command of a PT-109 boat during World War II. In Leslie H. Martinson's dramatization of the future president's war efforts, Kennedy uses his family name to put himself in the action instead of shirking his duties. Assigned to battle in the Solomon Islands, he leads his crew on treacherous rescue missions. When their ship is cut down, Kennedy and his men must swim to an island for survival.

Director: Leslie H. Martinson
Production Co: Warner Bros.
Genre: Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 4, 2016
Runtime: 2h 20m

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