Darby O'Gill and the Little People

Release Date: June 26, 1959

Watch Date: March 19, 2023

 

    Let’s go watch a film where Sean Connery sings, an old man engages in a battle of wits with a leprechaun king, and it all works out in the end – said no one ever.

    But more people should, because Darby O’Gill is just pure fun. Full of magic. You can’t stop smiling through the entire experience.

    Darby isn’t ridiculed and mocked in his town for his belief in old folktales. No, he’s venerated for keeping the ancient culture and the old ways alive. Normally in stories his character would be though of as crazy, and he definitely is, but it’s by the minority not the majority and that makes all the difference.

    The relationship between Darby and King Brian is comical, and kind of heartwarming. It brings to mind a grandfather hanging out with his buddies and shooting the breeze on the porch, a relationship you don’t often get to see portrayed in film. There’s antagonism there, for sure, but there’s a level of care and investment between them that makes the whole fabric of their relationship that much richer.

    Sean Connery not getting top billing in a film is weird, and I read somewhere that it was off the back of this film that he was put forward as the first James Bond. I can’t see for the life of me how his performance in this would inspire that level of confidence in his ability to be a suave spy that launches a franchise, but if we have Darby O’Gill to thank for the cultural icon that is 007 than maybe it’s owed a little more respect.

    This movie takes on some darker themes too, with Darby’s daughter facing death, and in fact only surviving by a well placed wish from Darby. Of course, when watching with Bob, he will immediately presume the black carriage of death is Santa – which sort of takes some of the sting out of the scene if I’m going to be honest with you.

    If you haven’t watched Darby O’Gill before, you really should. It’s a fun romp, a fairy tale at it’s core, and a diamond in the rough. Every time I try to sell people on this film they look at me like I’m crazy, and every time they watch it they immediately get what I’m saying.

    So be like those people, give Darby O’Gill a chance and be amazed.