PT 109 (Widescreen Edition)
by Leslie H. Martinson
Our Price: $39.69
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: VHS Video
See more movie releases
Buy this VHS video movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
VHS Tape Cover Information
Actor: Cliff Robertson, Grant Williams, James Gregory, Robert Culp, Ty HardinDirector: Leslie H. Martinson
Cinematographer: Robert Surtees
Editor: Folmar Blangsted
Producer: Bryan Foy
Writer: Howard Sheehan
Writer: Richard L. Breen
Writer: Robert J. Donovan
Writer: Vincent Flaherty
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Original Language), Analog
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, Letterboxed, NTSC, Widescreen
Running Time: 140 minutes
Release Date: 1997-06-17
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Publisher: Warner Home Video
Studio: Warner Home Video
VHS Movie Reviews of PT 109 (Widescreen Edition)
Movie Review: One Story of the War
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the story of one "patrol torpedo" boat, expendable forces used to attack the enemy to do the most damage at the lowest cost. The opening scene tells how JFK wrangled a front-line combat position instead of an office job is some safe rear echelon location. There is soon a warm welcome to the front. JFK wanted to learn what they didn't teach at Harvard (like some other wealthy men). An air raid shows that danger is near. Can JFK get his boat in shape in a week? The commander is not a happy man. PT 109 needs work, and gets it to pass inspection. Its engines are old. JFK had a taste for chocolate candy.
Their first combat assignment is to help evacuate Marines from an island and provide covering fire. What if they run out of gas? Will help arrive in time? What happens if the engines fail? They get an assignment to attack a Japanese supply fleet. Their base is attacked by Jap fighters. JFK scrounged a 37 mm anti-tank gun for his boat. The boats patrol in the dark, there is radio silence. The engines are muffled. Radar picks up a boat. A Jap destroyer runs into their ship and cuts it in two! Burning gasoline lights up the scene, men are rescued and brought to the floating wreck. The loss of PT 109 is reported, no survivors seen. The survivors swam to a deserted island to avoid capture. Planks are used as flotation devices. They land safely. Can they be rescued? Can they signal a friendly ship? "Nobody is giving up!"
Will they have to swim to another island? They can't fight against overwhelming odds. They travel to another island for food and water. JFK inscribed a message on a coconut so two natives can carry a message to Rendovo. The men are becoming dispirited. Then a reply is received. Friendly natives wave at a passing Jap Zero. A rendezvous is made after firing recognition shots. JFK leads a PT boat to the island that rescues the crew. They will be sent back to the states on leave. But JFK wants another boat to continue the war.
The credits name the actors in the crew. This is a slow-paced movie, but it is based on reality rather than Hollywood drama. JFK was the first President to have naval combat experience. His assassination was never solved in a court of law. There were a lot of changes to this country since his murder. [Why is this film never shown on TV?]
Summary of PT 109 (Widescreen Edition)
John F. Kennedy lived long enough to see this Hollywood account of his Navy career and his heroism following a ruthless attack by a Japanese ship on his small patrol craft. Cliff Robertson is an amiable choice to play Kennedy, though one won't find a lot of the late president's mannerisms in his performance. The key battle sequence, which finds Kennedy and his crew bloodied and battered while trying to stay alive in shark-infested waters, makes a big impression on young viewers. --Tom KeoghAction & Adventure VHS Video
VHS Video Movies
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation VHS Video
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics VHS Video
- Comedy VHS Video
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama VHS Video
- Educational
- Fitness
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror VHS Video
- Kids & Family
- Military & War VHS Video
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports VHS Video
- Television VHS Video
- Westerns VHS Video
Movies most talked about in "Favorite Kennedy Movies"
PT 109 (Widescreen Edition)Warner Home Video; Release date: 1997-06-17; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Jfk: Reckless YouthCabin Fever; Release date: 1997-06-30; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $2.78
Price in other shops:
The Missiles of OctoberRelease date: 2001-06-26; DVD
Best price: $8.42
Price in other shops:
Jacqueline Bouvier KennedyStarmaker/Anchor Bay; Release date: 1991-04-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $99.50
Woman Named Jackie Box SetNew Horizons Home Video; Release date: 1995-09-11; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
KennedyRelease date: 2003-10-07; DVD
Best price: $15.96
Price in other shops:
Jackie, Ethel, Joan - The Kennedy WomenLive / Artisan; Release date: 2001-05-22; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $8.88
Price in other shops:
Thirteen Days (Infinifilm Edition)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2001-07-10; DVD
Best price: $6.65
Price in other shops:
JFK - Director's Cut (Two-Disc Special Edition)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2003-11-11; DVD
Best price: $10.99
Price in other shops:
RFKRelease date: 2003-05-27; DVD
Best price: $5.59
Price in other shops:
Similar VHS Movies
![The Longest Day [Blu-ray] Image](/images/The-Longest-Day-Blu-ray-B00158K0RY-X.jpg)
The Longest Day [Blu-ray]TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2008-06-03; DVD
Best price: $13.99
Price in other shops:
The Enemy BelowRelease date: 2004-05-25; DVD
Best price: $8.34
Price in other shops:
633 SquadronTWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT; Release date: 2003-05-20; DVD
Best price: $4.22
Price in other shops:
Operation PetticoatLions Gate; Release date: 2001-09-18; DVD
Best price: $7.98
Price in other shops:
Merrill's MaraudersWarner Brothers; Release date: 2008-04-22; DVD
Best price: $12.17
Price in other shops:
Midway (Collector's Edition)Universal; Release date: 2001-10-30; DVD
Best price: $7.41
Price in other shops:
In Harm's WayParamount; Release date: 2001-05-22; DVD
Best price: $4.74
Price in other shops:
Thirty Seconds Over TokyoWarner Brothers; Release date: 2007-06-05; DVD
Best price: $12.63
Price in other shops:
They Were ExpendableWarner Brothers; Release date: 2007-05-22; DVD
Best price: $4.67
Price in other shops:
National Geographic: The Search For Kennedy's PT 109Warner Brothers; Release date: 2002-12-17; DVD
Best price: $5.20
Price in other shops: