PT109

US, 1963, 140 minutes, Colour.
Cliff Robertson, Ty Hardin, James Gregory, Robert Culp, Grant Williams, Michael Pate, Robert Blake, Biff Elliott, Norman Fell.
Directed by Leslie H. Martinson.

PT109 is based on the biography by journalist Robert J. Donovan. It recounts the action in World War Two of President John F. Kennedy – something which was part of his Pulitzer Prize-winning 1956 book Profiles of Courage. The film was made during President Kennedy’s presidency and was released five months before his assassination. It presents him in the best possible light – a decent husband, patriotic, courageous, determined.

The film is interesting to look at the exploits of John F. Kennedy in retrospect. He was twenty-six at the time of this action – which took place in the Solomon Islands in 1942. He was put in charge of a patrol torpedo boat and helped in the evacuation of some forces. However, his PT was sunk by the Japanese and he led his crew through the water to a deserted island, helped them to survive, tried to do lookout work, was helped by the native Solomon Islanders and was responsible for the saving of his men.

Cliff Robertson is sturdy as Kennedy. He has a strong supporting cast of the male stars of the time. A young Robert Blake also appears. Michael Pate, for once in an American film, portrays an Australian.

The film was directed by Leslie H. Martinson, best known for his long yeas of directing television films and television series.

1.The impact of the film so long after the events? Made during President Kennedy’s time? Released before his untimely death?

2.The Florida locations standing in for the South Pacific, the Solomon Islands? The sea, the islands, the villages, headquarters? Authentic? The musical score?

3.The title, the focus on the patrol torpedo boat, its being almost derelict, John Kennedy taking it over, the wariness of Commodore Ritchie? His getting the crew to fix the boat up, getting his sailing crew? The details of the work in action? The patrols, helping the sailors escape from the Japanese attack?

4.Going on its mission, its being torpedoed, overturning, the men, their survival, the sailor with burns? Their decision to go off the boat and its sinking? Kennedy and his towing the burnt man to shore? The others in a group getting to shore?

5.The early part of the film: routine navy stories, commanders, men, clean-ups, humour? The hard-hearted but soft-hearted commander? The details of war action? Familiar?

6.The latter part of the film, the attack, the men’s survival? On the island, their bickering amongst themselves? Kennedy’s heroism, decisions, going out onto the reef, sending Ross the second night? The men having difficulties? Food, coconuts? The arrival of the Islanders? The suspicious response, especially of Harris? The touch of racism? The decision to send the coconut with the message? Its getting to Evans? Their return, taking Kennedy to Evans, the arrangement for the rendezvous? The men being saved?

7.The aftermath, leave, the spirit of the men, the apologies to Kennedy? Ritchie and his admiration?

8.John F. Kennedy as a character, real, in the light of his subsequent public life?

9.The other members of the crew: Thom and his strong second-in-command loyalty, Ross and his work, Commander Ritchie and his growling, letting Kennedy take the PT, earnest about his rescue? Cluster, the initial discussions, his support?

10.Evans, the Australian coastwatcher, keeping in touch with the Americans? His part in the rescue? The Solomon Islanders, their part in the rescue?

11.An interesting war film – for the Kennedys, in retrospect about the war in the Pacific?