Dad’s Army – 1971 | 95mins | Comedy | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Feature-length version of the much-loved BBC television series that also reveals how the motley crew were recruited in the first place. All the regulars like Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier, Clive Dunn and Ian Lavender reprise their roles but the film is a limp affair that fails to capture the series’ restrained appeal.

In 1940, with a German invasion threatened, Anthony Eden makes an appeal for defence volunteers on the radio. Walmington-on-Sea’s pompous bank manager, Mainwaring (Lowe), springs into action by appointing himself Captain and taking it upon himself to recruit a motley collection of volunteers to defend the small seaside town. After a series of comic misadventures involving some rickety homemade weapons, and a regrettable skirmish with Major-General Fullard on manoeuvres, the Home Guard finally get their chance for glory they when a German scout plane crashes near Walmington. It’s crew captures the Church Hall and holds the vicar and town mayor as hostages.

Major-General Fullard sends for the Army, the Army sends for the Royal Navy, the Navy sends for the Marines, the Marines call in the police, and the police call the fire brigade. In the meantime, the irrepressible Mainwaring and his men enter the church in a hilarious guise to seize control of the situation. After their first encounter with the enemy – it remains for Dad’s Army to be on guard for any German invasion attempts… however improbable they might appear!