The second episode of series 2 continues to open out the scope of Dad's Army with another elaborate farce like Operation Kilt. But unlike that self-consciously silly episode, The Battle of Godfrey's Cottage is based around believable misunderstandings and is underscored by a great dramatic streak which gives us a glimpse of the Home Guard's heroism. Mistakenly believing themselves to be the only defence against an imminent German invasion, Mainwaring unquestioningly states his intention to lay down his life and the rest of the men agree. There are jokes throughout, including a scene involving laxatives in which Arthur Lowe is hilarious, but largely The Battle of Godfrey's Cottage has a more organic style of comedy arising from character and situation. It evokes the atmosphere of Ealing comedies, particularly in the inclusion of Godfrey's dotty sisters, and even some Ealing dramas like the wartime classic Went the Day Well? The pantomime cow costumes and cartoonish booby traps of the previous episode seem very far away here. The Battle of Godfrey's Cottage was one of the episodes initially believed to be lost until it was unearthed in 2001. This was most fortunate, given that this is the best episode up to this point and a clear indication of a series that was hitting its stride.
4 Reviews
Cissy and Dolly are a delight.
Sleepin_Dragon13 January 2020
Godfrey's Cottage is the base to be used when the alarm sounds, and when the Church bells ring, two factions from the platoon head for it.
I love it, it's an absolute classic, for me it's certainly the best black and white episode. It's more like an Ealing comedy, it's a very different type of humour to all other episodes, it's madcap. It's made by the two Sisters, they are absolutely side splitting in it, their total lack of understanding as to what is going on is pure joy, the laughs are outrageously over the top, but wonderful.
Percy the Parrot is comedy gold. It's a classic, had me in stitches. 10/10
I love it, it's an absolute classic, for me it's certainly the best black and white episode. It's more like an Ealing comedy, it's a very different type of humour to all other episodes, it's madcap. It's made by the two Sisters, they are absolutely side splitting in it, their total lack of understanding as to what is going on is pure joy, the laughs are outrageously over the top, but wonderful.
Percy the Parrot is comedy gold. It's a classic, had me in stitches. 10/10
Did this just stop being a comedy.
disastrousdallas19 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
In this early episode of a primitive satirical comedy, the writers obviously decided to balance it out.
Whilst Most episodes of Dad's army would present the war and characters as a farce this episode fails to do that to great success.
This episode is truly underrated, Maybe because people wanted a comedy, but what they got was something that comes across as more serious and less of a comedy, this episode should be considered a drama.
Captain Manwaring, Cpl Jones, Pvt Frazer and Pvt Godfrey believe that they are the only line of defense between England and the German forces, and in a truly admirable, they are ready to throw down their lives and are ready to die to stop the Germans forces, which even though their are none the show and writing does make you think their could be.
This Early episode is a true Masterpiece as whilst the previous season had been a farcical look at WWII and the Home guard this episode set out to show the other more serious angle that needs to be seen to be appreciated.
I would Highly recommend this episode to anyone if you want to see a serious piece of work with a hint of comedy.
Whilst Most episodes of Dad's army would present the war and characters as a farce this episode fails to do that to great success.
This episode is truly underrated, Maybe because people wanted a comedy, but what they got was something that comes across as more serious and less of a comedy, this episode should be considered a drama.
Captain Manwaring, Cpl Jones, Pvt Frazer and Pvt Godfrey believe that they are the only line of defense between England and the German forces, and in a truly admirable, they are ready to throw down their lives and are ready to die to stop the Germans forces, which even though their are none the show and writing does make you think their could be.
This Early episode is a true Masterpiece as whilst the previous season had been a farcical look at WWII and the Home guard this episode set out to show the other more serious angle that needs to be seen to be appreciated.
I would Highly recommend this episode to anyone if you want to see a serious piece of work with a hint of comedy.
The Battle of Godfrey's Cottage
Prismark1018 August 2018
There was something about The Battle of Godfrey's Cottage that did not feel right to me. The farcical aspects of the story did not work.
The church bells rings which signifies a possible German invasion. Captain Mainwaring did not hear the bells as he was putting some deeds in the vaults. Frazer, Jones and Mainwaring end up at Godfrey's Cottage where he lives with his two scatty sisters. They wreak havoc to his cottage.
Sgt Wilson and the other men get together at the Novelty Rock Emporium.
When Wilson takes his men to Godfrey's cottage a mix up with Jones wearing a German tin helmet leads the men to think that the Germans have taken over Godfrey's cottage. Meanwhile Mainwaring thinks he is been attacked by the Germans.
The episode came across as a misfire and it was not Godfrey's revolving sunhouse.
The church bells rings which signifies a possible German invasion. Captain Mainwaring did not hear the bells as he was putting some deeds in the vaults. Frazer, Jones and Mainwaring end up at Godfrey's Cottage where he lives with his two scatty sisters. They wreak havoc to his cottage.
Sgt Wilson and the other men get together at the Novelty Rock Emporium.
When Wilson takes his men to Godfrey's cottage a mix up with Jones wearing a German tin helmet leads the men to think that the Germans have taken over Godfrey's cottage. Meanwhile Mainwaring thinks he is been attacked by the Germans.
The episode came across as a misfire and it was not Godfrey's revolving sunhouse.
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