The Fighting Seabees (1944) on Netflix
Approved19441h 40mDramaRomanceWar
Wedge Donovan's construction crews build airstrips in the Pacific for the U.S. Navy. He clashes with liaison officer Robert Yarrow over a rule that keeps his men unarmed against the Japanese.
- Netflix3.7/5
- IMDb6.4/104,274 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes100%
Plot summary
During World War II, construction workers are needed to build military sites on Pacific islands for the U.S. Navy. The work is dangerous, and the men doubt the Navy's ability to protect them from Japanese attacks. Wedge Donovan, a construction boss, clashes with his liaison officer, Lieutenant Commander Robert Yarrow, because his men are not allowed to arm themselves. Constance Chesley, a war correspondent, is a mutual romantic interest of both men. After a series of Japanese attacks, the Navy tries something new: Construction Battalions, known as Seabees, whose men both build and are ready to fight.
Cast
- Jay Norrisas Joe Brick
Show all 20 cast
- Abdullah Abbasas Construction Worker (uncredited)
- Lee Adamsas Construction Worker (uncredited)
- Roy Brentas Construction Worker (uncredited)
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about The Fighting Seabees (1944)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- The Fighting Seabees had the biggest budget in Republic Pictures' history at $1.5 million, and the US Navy and US Marine Corps cooperated, letting it shoot at bases in California, Virginia and Rhode Island.
- The production took over virtually the entire 500-acre Iverson Movie Ranch in Chatsworth, California, building extensive sets on the Upper and Lower Iverson and bringing in palm trees to turn its rocky Western landscape into Pacific islands.
- To stage combat aircraft takeoffs, landings and enemy bombing raids, a massive landing strip was built on the Upper Iverson ranch, and the building of Quonset huts, observation towers and fuel tanks there was in many cases filmed and featured in the film itself.
