Dad's Army (1971)
Dad's Army was a 1971 feature film based on the BBC television sitcom Dad's Army. Directed by Norman Cohen, it was filmed between series three and four and was based upon material from the early episodes of the television series. The film told the story of the Home Guard platoon's formation and their subsequent endeavours at a training exercise.
Watch Trailer
Cast
Similar titles
Reviews
Don't listen to the negative reviews
Yo, there's no way for me to review this film without saying, take your *insert ethnicity + "ass" here* to see this film,like now. You have to see it in order to know what you're really messing with.
Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.
It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.
If you have never seen the TV series, or you want to know how it all started, then watch this comedy film. Basically Captain George Mainwaring (Arthur Lowe) sets up the World War II home guard from many volunteer Walmington-on-Sea town residents, including Sgt. Arthur Wilson (John Le Mesurier), LCpl. Jack Jones (Clive Dunn), Pte. James Frazer (John Laurie), Pte. Joe Walker (James Beck), Pte. Charles Godfrey (Arnold Ridley) and Pte. Frank Pike (Ian Lavender). The story basically sees the clumsy, near-witless and always enjoyable troops tackling the Nazi invasion of their town, and they go through many amusing slapstick moments to try and stop them. Also starring Liz Fraser as Mavis Pike, Bernard Archard as Maj. Gen. Fullard, Derek Newark as Regimental Sergeant-Major, Bill Pertwee (Jon's brother) as A.R.P. Warden Hodges, Frank Williams as Vicar, Edward Sinclair as Mr. Yeatman the Verger, Anthony Sagar as Police sergeant and Pat Coombs as Mrs. Hall. The programme was number 4 on Britain's Best Sitcom, Captain Mainwaring was number 29 on The World's Greatest Comedy Characters, and he was number 21 on The 100 Greatest TV Characters, the Christmas Special (My Brother & I) was number 46 on The 100 Greatest Christmas Moments, and the programme was number 13 on The 100 Greatest TV Programmes. Worth watching!
In my opinion dads army is thee best British sitcom of all time. I believe that if you just watch one episode of the show you cannot judge in completely on that one episode, (this include the movie) You must at least watch a series of this show, get inside the characters, become familiar with there surroundings and the situations which they are in. When you become familiar with the show then it will start appealing to you. Now the movie has a few changes to the series which is slightly disappointing, but it still works. Watch a series or two of the show first before you watch this. You'll not be disappointed. Good episode to watch is "No Spring for Frazer"
TV shows from the 1970's which were turned into films were usually terrible. Dad's Army is the big exception. The formula from the TV show worked just as well on the big screen and with the bigger budget it's lovely to see people walking around Walmington-on-Sea. The plot is similar to parts of some of the TV episodes, but that doesn't matter because they're still as funny. Other parts like when Mainwaring, Wilson and Frazer are stranded on the raft are classic. The only thing I can criticise it for is the sometimes obvious lack of input from the TV shows creators and writers, Jimmy Perry and David Croft. But beautiful performances from Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier, Clive Dunn etc.
Often when TV series are transferred to the big screen, they lose their appeal. Not in this case! The historical accuracy in costumes, equipment and general art direction, like the TV series, is outstanding. A good example of comedy and farce, with excellent script and comedy actors in the right parts. Based on a classic TV series that stands alone in British TV Comedy history.