PT 109 is a 1963 war drama film, based on the book by Robert J. Donovan, that tells the story of President John F. Kennedy (played by Cliff Robertson) and his experiences as captain of a PT boat during World War II.
The movie opens with Kennedy volunteering for wartime service in the South Pacific as a lieutenant in the Navy. He is given command of PT 109, a small, motorized torpedo boat, and is sent on a mission to disrupt Japanese supply lines.
During a night patrol, Kennedy and his crew spot a Japanese destroyer and attempt evasive maneuvers to avoid being detected. However, due to a communications error, the PT boat is hit and sinks, leaving Kennedy and his ten surviving crew members stranded in the middle of the ocean.
The remainder of the movie shows Kennedy and his crew struggling to survive on a deserted island, facing hunger, thirst, and dangerous wildlife. With no communication devices, they resort to primitive methods to signal for rescue, including lighting a fire and carving an SOS message into a coconut.
After several days, Kennedy and his crew are finally rescued by a Navy patrol boat and returned home as heroes. The film ends with Kennedy reflecting on the experience and vowing to continue serving his country.
PT 109 was well-received critically and financially, and has since become a cult classic for Kennedy fans and history buffs. Its depiction of Kennedy as a brave and resourceful leader helped cement his image as a national hero.