PT 109 (film)

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PT 109
Directed by	Leslie H. Martinson
Produced by	Warner Bros.
Written by	Richard L. Breen, Vincent Flaherty, Howard Sheehan
Starring	Cliff Robertson, Ty Hardin, James Gregory, Robert Culp, Robert Blake
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date(s)	June 19, 1963
Running time	140 min
Language	English
Budget	---
IMDb profile

PT 109 is a 1963 biographical movie which shows the events of John F. Kennedy's actions in command of Motor Torpedo Boat PT-109 as a member of the United States Navy during World War II. The movie was adapted by Richard L. Breen, Vincent Flaherty and Howard Sheehan from the book PT 109: John F. Kennedy in WWII by Robert J. Donovan.

The movie stars Cliff Robertson, Ty Hardin, James Gregory, Robert Culp, Robert Blake, Andrew Duggan (the uncredited narrator) and George Takei (uncredited as helmsman on Japanese destroyer, best known as Sulu of Star Trek). The exteriors for the movie were filmed at Little Palm Island (formerly Little Torch Key), a resort in the Florida Keys. Power and fresh water were run out to the island for the movie, allowing the resort to be built years later. The former owner was the local Monroe county sheriff.

The most dramatic special effect is what appears to be a full-size set with live actors being crushed by the bow of a destroyer.

[edit] Accuracy

In the movie, the PT-109 is reported missing and a search is started. According to National Geographic, and the original book, the boat explosion was observed from other PT-boats and it was given up as lost. A memorial service was held while the crew was still on the islands.

Solomon Islanders Buiki Gasa and Aaron Kumana were portrayed as mute random natives, when in fact they were dispatched by the coastwatcher to find them. The movie holds to the Donovan book version that Kennedy first suggested the idea of using a coconut for a message, using a knife to carve it. Gasa was later interviewed as suggesting the idea and sending Eroni to pluck a fresh coconut. The actors playing Gasa and Kumana were not credited either, though the senior native is mentioned by name when the large canoe arrives.

The scene rescuing ambushed Marines is actually covered by the chapter in the book about PT-59, which Kennedy commanded after the PT-109. It was a gunboat that had its torpedoes removed.

[edit] Availability

The movie is out of print on VHS, and is not available in the United States on DVD. Video CDs meant for sale outside the US can be had online, though the quality is not as good as VHS. VHS copies used were going for well over $8.00 in 2006, unusual for a VHS video. The PT-109 (comic book) was created based on the movie, but with some different historical content.