Too much of everything

the audience applauded

Just perfect...

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

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!

Im a die hard Dads Army fan and nothing will ever change that. I got all the tapes, DVD's and audiobooks and every time i watch/listen to them its brand new. The film. The film is a re run of certain episodes, Man and the hour, Enemy within the gates, Battle School and numerous others with a different edge. Introduction of a new General instead of Captain Square was a brilliant move - especially when he wouldn't cash the cheque (something that is rarely done now).It follows through the early years of getting equipment and uniforms, starting up and training. All in all, its a great film for a boring Sunday afternoon. Two draw backs. One is the Germans bogus dodgy accents (come one, Germans cant pronounced the letter "W" like us) and Two The casting of Liz Frazer instead of the familiar Janet Davis. I like Liz in other films like the carry ons but she doesn't carry it correctly in this and Janet Davis would have been the better choice.

The film adaptation of Dad's Army exemplifies war as almost a joyous farce, and thus far removed from reality.It is in this film that Dad's Army illustrates how the Home Guard was a propaganda manoeuvre brought about as a means to induce a sense of patriotism among the British people. Therefore all Dad's Army had to defend the country was indeed propaganda, and little else.The propaganda induced patriotism has subsequently been undermined by the Hollywood hijacking of this piece of Britain, which ironically the Nazi's did not succeed in doing.I like the fact that Auther Low's character points out that it was in fact the Nazi's Britain fought against, thereby indicating that the German people were as much victims as us Brits in World War Two.As for the comedy aspect of the film, it is improved upon for Columbia pictures. Left to the BBC it would look more amateurish.Overall, an interesting look at how patriotism via propaganda roused the British spirit during WW2 for the purpose of defence. But what was being defended, and for what purposes, and for whom? These are what begs the questions.

This is surely British humour at its best. It tends to grow on you. The first time I watched it I couldn't quite figure out what it was all about but now I can watch the episodes over and over again and enjoy them every time.