Darby's Rangers

At the United States War Department, artillery officer and future colonel James Garner (as William Orlando Darby) persuades superiors he is the man to lead a new World War II combat unit in Europe. Consequently, "Darby's Rangers" are trained. They face tough action, have relationships with beautiful women abroad, and face the inevitable tragedies you've see in many other war movies. Based on reality, this was the penultimate film from director William A. Wellman. He still has a knack for battle scenes, light interludes (like the "dusting" bit) and can punctuate blitzkriegs with the sound of a tea kettle...

"Darby's Rangers" is well produced, freshly cast, but hardly ever less than obvious. Believable on the big screen, in his first "starring role," Mr. Garner is absent much of the running time, as this is really an "ensemble" war drama. An unsubtle Jack Warden (as Saul Rosen) provides narration. The other soldiers' stories are more interesting, with nicely styled Edward "Edd" Byrnes (as Arnold Dittman) essaying arguably the best-written role, handsome young Peter Brown (as Rollo Burns) making the greatest emotional impression, and card shark Stuart Whitman (as Hank Bishop) leading the rest of the pack.

****** Darby's Rangers (2/12/58) William A. Wellman ~ James Garner, Edd Byrnes, Peter Brown, Stuart Whitman

The film tells a very fictionalized account of the formation of the U. S. Army's First Ranger Battalion. It's the idea of Major William Darby (James Garner), who envisions an American equivalent to British commandos. After the first batch of recruits undergoes training in Scotland, they head into action throughout the European theater. Many of the men also find time for romance with various local ladies.

This was a mixed bag for me. There are some exciting action scenes, and some funny jokes and visual gags, too. I liked Jack Warden as the narrating sergeant. James Garner is always good, but he's rather wasted here in a flat part. On the other hand, Edd "Kookie" Byrnes is just plain terrible, with awful acting and hair, attitude and dialogue delivery straight from "hip" 1958. The multiple romantic subplots are insipid sketches that are neither convincing or compelling. One unintentional source of amusement is courtesy of the sound effects. There's a particular "person falling down" sound effect that is perhaps best remembered from the Charlie Brown cartoons which is heard whenever Lucy pulls the football away at the last second and Charlie falls backwards and hits the ground. Well, that same sound effect is used for every fall in this movie, and a lot of people fall down. It could make for a good drinking game.

Recycling the well worn "Sands of Iwo Jima" formula of a disparate group of new recruits getting trained at boot camp, coming together as a team, and then taking to the battlefield, "Darby's Rangers" offers nothing new, but is entertaining for fans of these type of WWII films. It's a durable formula that's can work well (i.e. Clint Eastwood's "Heartbreak Ridge") or can be so bad that it becomes a parody of itself (i.e. John Wayne's "The Green Berets"). With a veteran film director at the helm, William Wellman, and a strong cast (James Garner, Jack Warden, Peter Brown, Stuart Whitman, Murray Hamilton, and David Janssen) you have the makings for solid entertainment, which is exactly what "Darby's Ranger" delivers with Garner leading his squad into North Africa and Italy for exciting WWII action. The downside to the film is that the portions of the story focused on Garner's command level politics and the infantrymen's liberty romances are less than interesting.

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.

William Orlando Darby (James Garner) pushes to form the US Rangers modelled after the British commandos. Various soldiers are recruited to train in Scotland for the new formation led by Darby. Initially, the group is sent to fight in North Africa and then Italy.

I only recognize James Garner and he's the only compelling actor for me. The first half concentrates too much on the men's love lives although the bus meet-cute is plenty cute. None of the relationships matter that much. They are being too cute and trying too hard to be funny. The pratfalls and jokes fall flat. Some of the actors are a bit too stiff. The comedic tone rings old fashion. The material would be better served as a more serious darker drama. The new Lieutenant comes in too late and the girl is too melodramatic. I can do with less melodrama and more war action. It's surprising that Garner isn't given more to do. The fighting is mostly studio interior or backlot sets. There are some archival footages and bigger exterior sets. There is some dangerous running in front of tanks.