3/5
It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of the original ‘Dad’s Army’ TV series. So when they announced a new movie I felt a similar mix of anticipation and wariness as I did for the ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’.
I keenly went to see the film on its opening day, not expecting to be blown away, but at least hoping for a pleasant hour and a half.
This was not long after having seen the BBC docudrama ‘We’re Doomed! The Dad’s Army Story’. That was a retelling of the creation and casting of the original series. In it the main seven actors plus Warden Hodges were played by a new cast. Each and every one of them were perfect. So I was happy to know that it was possible to do a faithful interpretation.
Needless to say, I was quite disappointed with what the 2016 movie presented.
The story was a good idea. The platoon had to find and stop a spy working in Walmington-on-Sea looking for British plans and a way to help the Nazis invade. They were also in trouble of being disbanded if they performed poorly. It was a real threat worthy of a feature length story. We wouldn’t just be getting a long episode.
The script had good and bad points. As mentioned, the overall plot was a good one for a movie, but the way it was played out was not so great. A lot of time went into Mainwaring, Wilson, and Pike all falling for the same woman despite each already having their own romantic partners.
Several famous catchphrases were crowbarred into the dialogue as though they were meant to be funny without proper context and a few innuendos were a bit too cheesy, and seemed to be the main source of humour for much of the film.
There were also a few moments that didn’t quite fit with the kind of humour we’d expect from ‘Dad’s Army’, particularly an early scene where Godfrey pees on Jones, while mistaking him for a tree.
Oddly, it seemed that the film was meant to continue on from the original series as a sequel rather than a reboot. It was set in 1944, while the original series began as the war started, Jones was in a relationship with Ms Fox which was a late development, Walker mentioned his corned beef allergy. It was definitely written for fans, and not newcomers. Mainwaring mentions Jones’ Sudan war stories, although during the film he never tells one.
Overall, the film itself was worth a watch and quite enjoyable, but by no means brilliant.
The main issues I had, as hinted earlier, was with the casting and portrayals, as well as one or two other niggles. There’s a closer look at those below.
As for the niggles, I though that scenes which should have been larger pieces to pay homage to the original series and really milk a few good jokes like the squad line-ups or plan discussions were breezed over. Instead of a more interesting gag filled conversation, the platoon were talking over each other in a rabble. Writer Hamish McColl seemed to completely miss the heart of the show.
‘Dad’s Army’ is about an ensemble. Each of the seven main characters should get roughly the same amount of screentime – with perhaps the officers Mainwaring and Wilson getting a little more. But it is about the characters. For the film to be right, the characters have to be the ones that we have always loved, and the fact that many weren’t was one of the major problems with this movie.
Toby Jones as Mainwaring
Jones’ was just about passable in this film, but I think he fell short.
Original Mainwaring’s character is pompous and undeservedly self-confident. He declared himself the Home Guard Captain despite not actually holding the military rank. Wilson should have been Captain, but Mainwaring’s forced his way into command. On the flip-side of that, Wilson’s easy going personality allowed Mainwaring to take the lead from him.
Jones’ Mainwaring didn’t seem to draw the same kind of respect from his platoon. He didn’t hold himself in the same way and there was no aura of self-importance that somehow convinces everyone around him to take him seriously. There was a telling moment early on when the platoon turned their back on him. It could be equal parts script and performance here, but this wasn’t the Mainwaring I know.
Bill Nye as Wilson
Definitely the worst portrayal of the lot.
Original Wilson is probably my favourite character from the show. He’s laid back, charming, polite-to-a-fault “Now listen to me chaps. Would you all mind just getting up against that wall with your hands up? Otherwise I might have to shoot you.”.
There’s a grace to the way John Le Mesurier performed the role that Nye could not come close to imitating.
Tom Courtenay as Jones
The loyal and courageous Jones was a fan favourite. He was usually the source of the more slapstick type of comedy in the original series, but he’d also have some great stories and silly ideas. He had been a military man for most of his life and even though he was a little slower than the rest of the platoon, he usually had the best form.
Jones was unrecognisable in this film and a revelation towards the end of the movie near enough ruins his character. It’s almost as though Courtenay has never seen an episode of ‘Dad’s Army’ in his life.
Bill Paterson as Frazer
Paterson’s Frazer was definitely one of the stronger performances. The problems here was that he barely had any screentime and too many of his ‘funny moments’ revolved simply around his being Scottish.
Daniel Mays as Walker
Mays did a fine job as Walker, although I still slightly prefer the characterisation in BBC’s ‘We’re Doomed!’. Walker is definitely another fan favourite, and Mays was true to the role. If this film was a sequel to the series, it would have been nice if they explained why he had been missing for so long.
Blake Harrison as Pike
Another decent performance. Some of the best moments in the film were when Pike was attempting impersonations of his favourite Hollywood stars.
Michael Gambon as Godfrey
For some reason the movie seemed to have Godfrey living on Walmington’s main street, despite his cottage being heavily featured in the TV series. Just another reason to wonder if the producers were really fans of the original.
Besides that, Gambons Godfrey was an odd one. At some points, he had the character spot on. In many others though, it seemed that the writers were going more for ‘senile old man’ rather than ‘daft frail gentleman’. Then there was a strange moment where Godfrey squared up to Hodges. I don’t think it would be out of character for Godfrey to do that, but original Godfrey was small, frail, and gentle and looked strange doing it. He was brave even though he couldn’t back it up. Gambon was the opposite with broad shoulders and a menacing frown. You’d believe he could take you.
Felicity Montagu as Elizabeth Mainwaring
The females in the film were a good addition and were a little more well rounded than they had been in the TV series. Yet, I still think Mrs Mainwaring should have remained unseen. It was a running gag which allowed viewers to fill in details with their own imagination. It was really strange to see Felicity Montagu get on her bunk, then see the famous lump she makes when she clearly is not nearly that big.
Annette Crosbie and Julia Foster as Cissy and Dolly Godfrey
Godfrey’s sisters were re-imagined as busy body gossips sticking their nose in and being generally irritating. The role they filled in the movie would have been much better suited to Mrs Pike. These two are supposed to be a bit more carefree, enjoying afternoon tea and upside-down cakes almost as though there is no war on at all.
Sarah Lancashire as Mrs Pike
This character was unrecognisable. The overbearing and interfering mother was non-existent, replaced by a woman who seemed a whole lot more reasonable.
