Dad's Army (1971)
Genre: Comedy / War
Duration: 95 minuten
Country:
United Kingdom
Directed by: Norman Cohen
Stars: Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier and Clive Dunn
IMDb score:
6,9 (3.919)
Releasedate: 12 March 1971
This movie is not available on US streaming services.
Dad's Army plot
"At last! Their epic story invades the Big Screen!"
In this film version of the Dad's Army series, the vigilante is put together under the leadership of bank manager Mainwaring and a number of volunteers in Walmington-on-Sea. This is easier said than done. After some training, the men are invited for a military exercise. However, this does not run smoothly.
Actors and actresses
Capt. George Mainwaring
Sgt. Arthur Wilson
LCpl. Jack Jones
Pte. James Frazer
Pte. Joe Walker
Pte. Charles Godfrey
Pte. Frank Pike
Mavis Pike
Maj. Gen. Fullard
Regimental Sergeant-Major
Reviews & comments
wihu61
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- 1011 messages
- 540 votes
The shorter episodes in the series are usually witty, subtle, and well-written. I expected the same here, of course, but unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed. I suspect the lack of a laugh track was the main reason.
You sometimes think it shouldn't be necessary, but laughter is infectious, and many of those English comedies are actually less enjoyable without it. I think I experienced the same thing with Mr. Bean... And yes, 40 minutes or an hour and a half are two different things to fill.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Bobbejaantje
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- 2301 messages
- 2092 votes
Great series, and the film is nothing more than an extension of it. It took me about fifteen minutes to get into it. It takes some getting used to the cinematic effects, which (obviously) are completely absent from the TV series. It's also clear that the film is meant to be watched without prior knowledge of the series, as evidenced by the introduction of characters and the situational setting. Once that was over, a triple episode of the TV series unfolded. I didn't find a real common thread, more like a series of delightful gags. Fortunately, the occasionally (but always sparingly) semi-dramatic soundtrack doesn't detract from the lighthearted (war!) atmosphere. Should it ultimately be something more than that? No, I didn't need it. The series was brilliant as it was, and you don't need to change that in a different version. Incidentally, I don't think it was possible to go in a different direction with the film because it was also written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft, the creators of the series. I suppose they could hardly have done anything different from their usual approach. And they are two real kings of comedy, just look at their other achievements in the comedy scene.
It's hard for me to gauge how someone without prior knowledge of the series will receive this film, but I certainly had an entertaining evening with it. It's also great that James Beck is still in it.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Robi
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- 2536 messages
- 2530 votes
I've obviously seen the series many times in the past. I don't know about the film. It's quite possible. The film is certainly on par with the series, although I must say that a 30- or 45-minute episode—I don't remember how long an episode was—was actually more powerful because it only dealt with one topic. This film had to cram more topics into it: the group's origins and the first issues they faced. So the film was also made for people who had never seen the series. Even though the series had already aired three years earlier and was probably already a huge success. But anyway, that doesn't matter. It's a fun film with plenty going on, and the humor of the series is very relatable and similar. And that's the point. I enjoyed seeing all those familiar characters again.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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