Rating: C+
Dad's Army is the cinematic outcome of Britain’s famous 1970’s sitcom. Directed by Oliver Parker, and set in 1944, in the midst of the Second World War, it follows the Walmington-on-sea platoon in their daily lives as home guards within their town.
The film sets up the interesting dynamic of the war so close to being won by the allies, yet with the home guard in Walmington-on-sea exceptionally low on morale. It is here that the Walmington platoon make it their mission to patrol the Dover army base, in the hope that this will build their reputation and make up for their seemingly fundamental lack of intelligence.
The plot follows a gorgeous journalist, Rose Winters (Catherine Zeta Jones), who moves into Walmington to write an article about the Walmington-on-sea platoon, and forms close ties with the men on the squad. Trouble arises when the MI5 informs Captain Mainwaring (Toby Jones) of a mystery German spy, who is reported to be working within Walmington-on-sea to reveal all their plans and secrets to the enemy. Here, the platoon recognise an opportunity to boost their reputation and they take on the challenge to capture the mysterious spy.
The humour in Dad’s Army was hilarious and well utilised, and ranged from physical comedy to witty remarks, setting a “feel good” tone at its roots. Toby Jones and Michael Gambon (who played Private Godfrey) became immediate favourites within the film due to the humor that their characters provided. Early on, it became clear why the 1970’s sitcom was so popular within its time because the platoon members were a positive investment and supplied an abundant amount of entertainment within the film, whether it was the drama they presented or the humor they offered. Catherine Zeta Jones also shone with her outstanding performance of Rose Winters, as the classicly seductive ‘femme fatale’, and formed an essential part within the film, bringing havoc and chaos to drive the otherwise ambling plot forward.
Anyone with a sense of humor will find themselves satisfied with this movie, simply down to the robust humour that largely made up for the lack of army related action and the cliche, predictable plot.