ShangLuda Admirable film.

Freaktana A Major Disappointment

Curapedi I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Roman Sampson One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Spikeopath 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

Simon 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.

sandra small 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.

david-697 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.