Darby's Rangers (1958)The lives, loves, and battles of fictional characters in the Army's First Ranger Battalion during WWII. Director:William A. Wellman |
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Darby's Rangers (1958)The lives, loves, and battles of fictional characters in the Army's First Ranger Battalion during WWII. Director:William A. Wellman |
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| James Garner | ... |
Col. William Orlando Darby
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Etchika Choureau | ... |
Angelina De Lotta /
Dittmann
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| Jack Warden | ... |
MSgt. Saul Rosen /
Narrator
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| Edd Byrnes | ... |
Lt. Arnold Dittman
(as Edward Byrnes)
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Venetia Stevenson | ... |
Peggy McTavish
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Torin Thatcher | ... |
Sgt. McTavish
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| Peter Brown | ... |
Pvt. /
Cpl. Rollo Burns
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Joan Elan | ... |
Wendy Hollister
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| Corey Allen | ... |
Pvt. Pittsburgh Tony Sutherland
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| Stuart Whitman | ... |
Sgt. /
SSgt. /
Sfc. Hank Bishop
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| Murray Hamilton | ... |
Pvt. /
Sgt. Sims Delancey
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William Wellman Jr. | ... |
Pvt. Eli Clatworthy
(as Bill Wellman Jr.)
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| Andrea King | ... |
Mrs. Sheilah Andrews
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| Adam Williams | ... |
Cpl. Heavy Hall
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Frieda Inescort | ... |
Lady Hollister
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Highly fictionalized account of the formation of the US Army's First Ranger Battalion in World War II and their first commanding officer Major (later, Lieutenant-Colonel) Orlando Darby. The idea was to create a US unit along the lines of the British commandos. In this account, which focuses on several fictional characters, the story is initially on their training in Scotland and the lives and loves their encounter while there. Their first combat mission was in the invasion of North Africa in 1942, followed by the invasion of Sicily and then Italy itself, including the amphibious landing at Anzio. Written by garykmcd
I had not seen this film before this year, and I was surprised how good it was. Though obviously filmed in the USA its portrayal of British characters (though incidental to the plot), was refreshingly good. The action scenes were well filmed and it is nice to see James Garner not playing for laughs. Though a good light comedian, I think he is best in straight roles like in 36 Hours and the Great Escape. The cast is on the whole very good, and I have to say that I thoroughly recommend watching this film, if like me you are a war movie fan.