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PT 109

Play trailer Poster for PT 109 1963 2h 20m Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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64% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 52% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
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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PT 109

Critics Reviews

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Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 06/03/2016
C+
It probably works best for fans of the popular President. Go to Full Review Michael E. Grost Classic Film and Television 10/02/2014
Mild drama is best in long opening showing restoration of PT boat. Go to Full Review Sean Axmaker Turner Classic Movies Online 04/11/2010
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. Go to Full Review Michael A. Smith Nolan's Pop Culture Review 12/14/2006
3/5
JFK as most remember him. Fine performance by Robertson. Go to Full Review Chuck O'Leary Fantastica Daily 10/09/2005
2/5
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 06/15/2005
3/5
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Audience Reviews

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Steve D 07/20/2023 Propaganda not history. See more 08/20/2020 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." See more 06/29/2019 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. See more 02/02/2019 The best inspiring movie ever made! See more 12/18/2018 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 See more 11/23/2017 A feel good piece about JFK and his role in the South Pacific in ww2. See more Read all reviews
PT 109

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Cast & Crew

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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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PT 109

PT 109 (1963) PT 109 (1963) View more photos

Movie Info

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
Producer
Bryan Foy
Screenwriter
Richard L. Breen
Production Co
Warner Bros.
Genre
Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 4, 2016
Runtime
2h 20m
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