Dad’s Army – 1971
Director
Norman Cohen

Writers
Jimmy Perry

Cast
Arthur Lowe
John Le Mesurier
Clive Dunn

Review by John Rouse Merriott Chard

“How can the stupid British ever hope to win?!”

Dad’s Army is the feature film version of the hugely popular BBC television sitcom of the same name. Directed by Norman Cohen, it stars the familiar faces of Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier, Clive Dunn, John Laurie, James Beck, Arnold Ridley & Ian Lavender.

Written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft, Dad’s Army the series ran from 1968 to 1977, much loved due to its simplicity and warm humour involving the British Home Guard during world War II, a feature film version was inevitable. Sadly the makers were unoriginal with their approach and cheekily cashed in on the standing that the public had rightly put upon the show. For make no bones about it, this is a poor film not doing justice to the sharpness of the TV shows, in fact this is merely a collage of ideas used from earlier episodes in the show. The plot is very basic and the usually excellent cast are asked to trundle out a series of gags that had long since run their course.

Die hard fans of the show will still warm to the characters (how could they not since they are wonderful creations?), and those unaware of the actual TV show will quite possibly enjoy the film as an afternoon time filler with a cup of tea. But it’s a lazy cash in and it’s telling that no sequel was made to tarnish further what remains a classic bit of British television. Filmed between series three & four, the show (thankfully) would survive this blot and continue on an upward curve of quality and good time British humour. 3/10