Dad's Army (1971)

The misadventures of a ragtag group of elderly Home Guard local defense volunteers at the onset of WW2.

Director:

Norman Cohen

Writers:

Jimmy Perry (idea), Jimmy Perry (screenplay)

Stars:

Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier, Clive Dunn

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Arthur Lowe	...	Capt. Mainwaring
John Le Mesurier	...	Sgt. Wilson
Clive Dunn	...	LCpl. Jones
John Laurie	...	Pte. Frazer
James Beck	...	Pte. Walker
Arnold Ridley	...	Pte. Godfrey
Ian Lavender	...	Pte. Pike
Liz Fraser	...	Mrs. Pike
Bernard Archard	...	Maj. Gen. Fullard
Derek Newark	...	R.S.M.
Bill Pertwee	...	Hodges
Frank Williams	...	Reverend Timothy Farthing
Edward Sinclair	...	Verger Maurice Yeatman
Anthony Sagar	...	Police Sergeant
Pat Coombs	...	Mrs. Hall

Storyline

When World War Two breaks out, the small seaside town of Walmington-on-Sea finds itself less than ably defended by the elderly and inept members of Captain Mainwaring's home guard unit. Put on manoeuvres by a visiting Major-General, Mainwaring's men manage to bungle one task after another. However, when a group of Germans from a scout plane take the Mayor hostage at the church hall, the clueless soldiers might still have a chance of saving the day!

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Plot Keywords:

world war two | soldier | local defense | retirement | bomb | 

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Taglines:

At last! Their epic story invades the Big Screen!

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Genres:

Comedy | War

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

September 1971 (USA)

Also Known As:

Armata lui bunicu

Filming Locations:

Seaford, East Sussex, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Norcon

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White (archive footage in opening scenes) Color (Technicolor) (as Technicolor®)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film made a number of significant changes, imposed by Columbia Pictures, such as filming outdoor scenes in Chalfont St Giles rather than Thetford. Also, the bank was now "Martins" rather than "Swallow" Bank. In addition, with the increase in budget, the set interiors and the vehicles used were completely different, and the streets of Walmington had extras walking on them. As well as this, the audience saw the Germans preparing across the Channel, rather than them simply being an unseen threat. In addition to this, the events of the platoon's formation were revised in various ways for the big screen treatment.

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Goofs

During the firing drill inside the armored van, Mainwaring states that the enemy has been spotted on the left. The men inside the van shout "Open two three. Out two three. Left two three" and proceed to point their rifles to the right instead.

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Quotes

Cpt. George Mainwaring: Well men, I've got some good news for you.
Pvt. James Frazer: Oh, you mean our rifles have come.
Cpt. George Mainwaring: No, but the ammunition has.

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Connections

Referenced in 'Dad's Army': Missing Presumed Wiped (2001)

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Soundtracks

We'll Meet Again
(uncredited)
Sung by Vera Lynn
Lyrics by Hugh Charles
Music by Ross Parker

User Reviews

Warm portrait of an England that never was.

The second in director Cohen's trilogy of Second World War comedies (the others being ‘Till Death Do Us Part' and `Adolf Hitler - My Part In His Downfall') is a film version of the BBC's long running (and much loved) situation comedy. Like most transfers of television shows, this movie suffers from an absence of plot and is more a collection of sketches. Some of which work better than others for example the scene where a high ranking army officer floats down a river is a memorable, surreal moment.

The joy of this movie is it's representation of a past that probably never existed and an England which is defined by picturesque countryside and the chance it offers to see veteran scene-stealers such as John Le Mesurier given their biggest film roles. Arthur Lowe is superb as Captain Mainwaring, a bungler, who, when the chips are down, displays great courage and saves the day (the climax is probably the character's greatest moment).

Episodes of the television series are of course funnier but as an introduction to a British legend, you cannot find anything better.