InformationRap
This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.
Ava-Grace Willis
Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.
SimonJack
"Darby's Rangers" is a good look at the beginning of the U.S. Army Rangers early in World War II. Of course, they have connections to earlier types of specially training units used for specific missions. But this is the story of the formal organization of the first Rangers units. It's based on a 1945 book by Major James J. Altieri, a Ranger veteran. The film shows that the idea for the Rangers came from Darby himself, but it was actually from higher up. But, Col. William Orlando Darby (then a major) was the man chosen to organize and command the first Ranger units. They did this by going to Scotland where they were trained by the British commandos – then the toughest fighting unit in the world. This is a good film that shows the training that was eventually duplicated at the U.S. Army Ranger school in Ft. Benning, GA. The cast all are very good. James Garner plays Darby and jack Warden plays his close confidante and top kick, MSgt. Saul Rosen. He also does some of the narration over film segments. The movie has some top actors in supporting roles Stuart Whitman plays Sgt. Hank Bishop, Murray Hamilton plays Pvt. To Sgt. Sims Delancey, and Edd Byrnes plays Lt. Arnold Dittman. British actor Torin Thatcher is very good as the tough Scot commando training leader, St. McTavish. The film shows the Rangers in some of their actions in World War II. It could have been a much better war film had it stuck to the combat after the training. But, as with many another war movie, this one combines romance – not just one, but a few. Quite a bit of film time is given to these asides, so it diminishes this some as a good war film. Still, it's a good look at the start of the American Army Rangers and their history.
frankfob
Routine, by-the-numbers war film made on an off-day by the great William A. Wellman. It's no better, and somewhat worse, than other WW II films of that era, with some sappy and contrived love stories thrown in. Although Wellman hadn't made "B" pictures for years, that's just what this one comes across as--far too much of it is shot on sound stages (apparently to save money on location shooting) which makes it look cheap, as does the surfeit of poorly integrated newsreel stock footage, and what little action there is isn't particularly well done. The script is, to be honest, awful, and the acting--other than Garner, whose first major role this was and who's quite good and Edd "Kookie" Byrnes, who plays an arrogant young West Point officer on his first combat assignment--is for the most part pedestrian, with the tired stereotypes you see in pretty much every war picture: the slow-witted hillbilly, the fast-talking city slicker, the weary veteran sergeant, etc.Overall, it's slow and boring, with some unnecessary comedy relief thrown in and too much attention paid to the GIs' love interests. Not one of Wellman's better films, by a long shot.
zardoz-13
"Battleground" director William Wellman made several great combat movies, but "Darby's Rangers" is not one of his best. This standard-issue World War II movie deals with the first actual commando force in the United States Army. "Darby's Rangers" is a good adventure movie set against the real-life background of war in North Africa and Italy. Virtually first hour is spent with Darby and his men learning the ropes about commando operations from the British in Scotland. When these G.I. Joes aren't being run ragged by the Brits, they are running British women ragged. The second half of this 121-minute epic follows our heroes into North Africa and they are finally shot to pieces so badly blunting an attack after Anzio that the powers-that-be break up the unit and Darby goes off to the Pentagon. Several familiar faces crop up here including Peter Brown of "Laredo" fame, Ed Byrnes of "77 Sunset Strip," Stuart Whitman, Murray Hamilton, and Jack Warden. Indeed, "Darby's Rangers" is basically a remnant of the 1940s rather than the 1950s. Wellman provides more sexual escapades for these young lions, while Darby (James Garner of "Maverick") leads the attack. You will not find any anti-authority issues in this war movie or soldiers complaining about wanting to kill their officers. Like most World War II movies of the 1950s, we do not get to see the German soldiers, except during an ambush. Meaning, the Germans are depicted as an impersonal enemy. In fact, there are no real emotional villains on the enemy side. Wellman orchestrates several interesting combat sequences, but too many officers parade around unrealistically with their rank displayed on their helmets. One scene here that Sam Fuller used in his classic World War II combat movie "The Big Red One" has troops crossing a road in front of German tanks. As the noisy tanks roll over a hill, the G.I.s slip past it, narrowly missing being hit and escaping the notice of the enemy. Max Steiner provides a suitable martial score to underline the combat scenes. Edd Byrnes is good as a green, shavetail lieutenant who grows up quickly.
Skip Bandy
Typical wartime flick for the period. Reliable late-night fare. Gather up your favorite snack and enjoy.
