Darby's Rangers

Movie Poster

Country	United States
Directed by	William A. Wellman
Release Date	February 12, 1958
Language	English German Italian
Studio	Warner Bros.
Distributor	Warner Bros. Pictures

Main Cast
Character	Actor
Col. William Orlando Darby	James Garner
Pvt. / Cpl. Rollo Burns	Peter Brown
MSgt. Saul Rosen / Narrator	Jack Warden
Sgt. / SSgt. / Sfc. Hank Bishop	Stuart Whitman
Pvt. / Sgt. Sims Delancey	Murray Hamilton

Darby’s Rangers is the 1958 World War II film that was the next-to-last feature directed by William A. Wellman. The film also marked the first starring role for actor James Garner, who portrays Colonel William Orlando Darby. The movie chronicles Col. Darby's formation of an elite Army commando group as the “tip of the Army’s spear,” thus creating the Rangers. The cast also included Etchika Choureau, Edd Byrnes (as Edward Byrnes), and William Wellman Jr.

The following weapons were used in the film Darby’s Rangers:

Pistols

M1911A1

Throughout the film, Rangers carry a Colt M1911A1 pistol.

World War II Colt M1911A1 Pistol - .45 ACP

Darby (James Garner) with the Colt M1911A1 pistol.

Submachine Guns

M1928A1 Thompson

Throughout the film, US Army Rangers carry the M1928 Thompson submachine gun.

M1928A1 Thompson with 30-round magazine and early 'simplified' rear sight that would be adopted for the M1 Thompson - .45 ACP

Cpl. Rollo Burns (Peter Brown) bids farewell to his girl, Peggy McTavish (Venetia Stevenson) and her father, Sgt. McTavish (Torin Thatcher).

MP40

An MP40 is briefly seen next to a German machine-gunner.

Maschinenpistole 40 - 9x19mm

Rifles

M1 Garand

Throughout the film, Rangers carry the M1 Garand.

M1 Garand semiautomatic Rifle with leather M1917 sling - .30-06

The film is dedicated to the US Army Rangers.

Col. Darby (James Garner) arrives in Scotland for Ranger training. Sgt. Sims Delancey (Murray Hamilton) left, and Sfc. Hank Bishop (Stuart Whitman), right, stand behind Darby.

Rangers begin training in Scotland.

Rangers storm the beaches of North Africa.

Rangers assault an Italian gun emplacement in North Africa.

Urban warfare in Italy.

Ranger sharpshooters take out an Italian sniper.

Facing the Germans in Italy.

M1 Carbine

Throughout the film, Army Rangers carry the M1 Carbine.

Korean War Era M1 Carbine, with Birch Stock, Adjustable sight, bayonet lug, and twin magazine pouch - .30 Carbine. Most of the World War II variations of the M1 Carbine were sent back to the Military Arsenals and retrofitted with the Bayonet Lug and adjustable rear sight. This is the version seen after late 1945 and all the way until the 1960s. This version is seen most often in World War II movies, despite being anachronistic for most World War II battles.