Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

Simply A Masterpiece

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

"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.

This is one of my favor war movies. The story of Darby and his Rangers has a special place for me. This movie shows a man, who is driven to see his idea for a special fighting force come to life. Now there are some things that people see as goofs or problems with this movie. I mean the tanks are not real Panzers, but come on it is the late 50's and making every detail as real as possible is not going to happen because movie budgets are not that big. There are no summer blockbusters and if they are they are few and far between. As to some of the scenes being done on a sound stage in Hollywood again that magic word budget. If you want to enjoy a tale of men in war then this is enjoyment. True James Garner is not on camera all that much well he was in command and you don't see the commander that often in the field. It was nice to see what you would call an ensemble cast in this movie. I know that Edd Byrnes and Peter Brown were the heartthrobs of the movie. Stuart Whitman and Murray Hamilton were the cynic tough guys. Jack Warden was the hard-bitten old veteran from earlier wars. There is the comic relief guys. Of course you have to have the sleazy guy that everybody hates in Corey Allen's character. The Brits, who are old hands at a dirty business. So clichéd it may be but who cares it is a good if not great little war film.

This is an above average War Film with an impressive cast (James Garner (Col. Darby), Jack Warden (The narrator Mst Sgt. Saul Rosen), Stuart Whitman (All of whom would do better things later on)), and Director (William Wellman), in his next to last film. The main reason to watch is Edd Bynes (Lt. Arnold Dittman), who comes straight from West Point with no knowledge of the real world, either on the battlefield or in dealing with people. Spoilers: There is one scene where he kills an Itallian Soldier and feels incredible guilt about it, and Darby, has to explain why he had to do it. Later on, he and his men are ordered to disinfect some Itallians, and one woman, Angelina De Lotta (Etchika Choureau), objects because it is degrading, and will only allow herself to be disinfected if he does it. He gets himself involved with her, and she is essentially using him, because she is extremely desperate, and very sick. When she tells things about her he is disgusted and leaves. He gets drunk and is complaining about her (Including the statement "Do you think you were the first?"). Darby goes to investigate, and finds out that she slept with an Itallian Partician (Someone fighting Mussolini), and was killed. The problem is she got pregnant, and although she fell in love with Dittman, was ashamed to say it it to him, and is dying. Darby wakes up Dittman and explains what happened and said: "This woman has been through hell, I am not saying what she did is right, but compassion does not come out of an Army Manual, this is a big mess, and it takes a big man to clean it up." He goes to a Doctor and and the Doctor explains that sulfur will not help, she needs penicillin and when he tried to get some from the Army, it was explained that "It is only for soldiers and in rare cases, for their Dependants." Basically, the options are, marry her or let her die. He decides to get a local Priest, who could not speak English, but the Doctor translates and explains why they must be married. She is able to be saved but the baby inside her died. After the final military scene, where the Rangers meet up with a German Panzer (Tank) Division), and the conditions were summed up well by Rosen. "This was the low, clinging kind of fog I used to see when I was hunting duck out on Long Island... Now I know how the duck felt." Dittman is one of the few Rangers to survive, and comes back to her and is sad that the baby died, but as she pointed out that "We can have lots of babies together." What I like is not only did he love her enough to marry her, but she really loved him as well, and was elated he came back to her. You can tell they will have a fresh start, and spend a lifetime together. Byrnes performance, and the relationship with Angelina is what makes it a good film. 7/10 stars.

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.