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:

They trained 'em to be killers and then turned them loose in hell!

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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

Leading man James Garner was originally only supposed to have a supporting role here with Charlton Heston being top-billed, but when he signed to a new seven-year contract with Warners, the studio dropped Heston and gave Garner his role. Heston filed a damage suit in the Superior Court against the studio as a result of the switch.

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Goofs

Darby was in Northern Ireland when assigned to the 1st Ranger Battalion, not at the Pentagon.

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Quotes

MSgt. Saul Rosen: [Screen shows Ranger recruits in rigorous training, some of whom have dropped from exhaustion while running] As long as I live, I'll never forget Manson's favorite expression...
Lt. Dave Manson, British Training Officer: Get off your bloody knees, Yanks!

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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

A nice cast boosts the war drama

Veteran Director Wellman guides the capable cast through all the usual war movie cliches and still manages to keep our interest. Scattered throughout the action are some nice cameos by then "up and coming" stars, and an especially nice bit done by Edd "Kooky" Brynes. This one is still fun.