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:

Nothing Like It Since "Battle Cry"!

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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

Final film of H.B. Warner. He died before its release, and appears in an unbilled bit part.

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Goofs

LTC Darby refers to West Point as "the point" while interviewing a new lieutenant from West Point. West Pointers do not EVER refer to West Point as "the point." Darby was class of '33.

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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

It Can't Be Wrong
(uncredited)
Music by Max Steiner
Played at the restaurant when Bishop introduces Wendy to the boys

User Reviews

Sprawling war movie

Darby's Rangers -or The Young Invaders ,to give it the title under which it was shown in Great Britain - is a lengthy world war two movie about the formation of the US Rangers ,its initial training at the hands of the British in Scotland and its success in battle both in Africa and Europe .It also devotes some considerable time to the private lives of the troops especially there involvement with women On neither level is it particularly engrossing with the battle scenes clearly being staged on a studio set which renders them somewhat artificial looking and unconvincing while the platoon members are just not interesting enough to make me care greatly what happens to them The acting is routine Garner is under used and such young performers as Peter Brown and Ed Byrne lack the experience and charisma to hold the screen

Good to see the British accorded some respect in a US war movie but otherwise this is routine fare indeed