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

Writers:

Guy Trosper, James J. Altieri (suggested by the book) (as Major James Altieri)

Stars:

James Garner, Etchika Choureau, Jack Warden

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Garner	...	Col. William Orlando Darby
Etchika Choureau	...	Angelina De Lotta / Dittmann
Jack Warden	...	MSgt. Saul Rosen / Narrator
Edd Byrnes	...	Lt. Arnold Dittman (as Edward Byrnes)
Venetia Stevenson	...	Peggy McTavish
Torin Thatcher	...	Sgt. McTavish
Peter Brown	...	Pvt. / Cpl. Rollo Burns
Joan Elan	...	Wendy Hollister
Corey Allen	...	Pvt. Pittsburgh Tony Sutherland
Stuart Whitman	...	Sgt. / SSgt. / Sfc. Hank Bishop
Murray Hamilton	...	Pvt. / Sgt. Sims Delancey
William Wellman Jr.	...	Pvt. Eli Clatworthy (as Bill Wellman Jr.)
Andrea King	...	Mrs. Sheilah Andrews
Adam Williams	...	Cpl. Heavy Hall
Frieda Inescort	...	Lady Hollister

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

love | africa | major | italy | training | 

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Taglines:

"MAVERICK" himself - in his first starring big-screen role!

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Genres:

Action | Drama | War

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 April 1958 (Japan)

Also Known As:

William A.Wellman's Darby's Rangers

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

121 min 105 min (theatrical release)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to the videocassette sleeves notes, this was James Garner's first starring role.

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Goofs

The German tanks shown in scenes at the Battle of Cisterna are M-41 walker bulldog tanks, which were made first made in 1951.

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Quotes

Pvt. Rollo Burns: You know, I think war is a big stink.
Col. William Orlando Darby: A BIG stink!... There never was a good war - or an intelligent or kind one.
Col. William Orlando Darby: [Starts to get up] Rollo, we'll be haunted by the men we've killed as long as we live. When you've married Peggy, and you've looked in the faces of your children, you'll understand why it had to be done.
Pvt. Rollo Burns: Uh, sir? Thank you... for taking the time to talk to me.
Col. William Orlando Darby: [pauses at the door, faint smile on his face] I was talkin' to myself, too.

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Connections

Referenced in Los que no fuimos a la guerra (1962)

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Soundtracks

Symphony No. 5, 1st Movement
(uncredited)
Music by Ludwig van Beethoven
Played briefly when the poster is shown

User Reviews

The Tip Of The Spear

Darby's Rangers is the story both of a proud group of the best and brightest the USA sent to war and the commander who sold the idea to the brass and the outfit was unofficially named for him. It was director William Wellman's next to last feature film and the first starring picture of James Garner.

As William Orlando Darby, James Garner is far from the cynical and comical Bret Maverick whom he was portraying on television at the time in a mega-hit series. Garner sells the idea of having an Americanized version of the British commando spearheading the American landings wherever they may be.

Trained by the British Commandos, Darby's Rangers or as it is officially known the First Ranger Batallion comes into being. We follow the Rangers from their first blooding at Dieppe through the North African and Italian campaigns until they were nearly annihilated at Cisterna, protecting the Allied landing at Anzio.

The film is narrated by Jack Warden who plays Garner's chief non-commissioned officer in the unit. We meet all the Rangers, some of them not the noblest of characters such as womanizing Corey Allen who takes up with married British lady Andrea King. Young shavetail lieutenant Edd Byrnes gets a baptism of fire on many fronts both in battle with Garner and in love with Etchika Choureau.

After the action of this film is concluded Darby was killed on April 30, 1945 just days from VE Day in action. Coincidentally on the same day that Adolph Hitler committed suicide. Maybe it was better for the film to end as it did however for entertainment value.

It's a fine World War II film about a true story. And this review is dedicated to those survivors if there be any of our First American Ranger Batallion and their gallant fallen comrades.