Dad's Army - Series 4 (DVD)

Dad’s Army is a British comedy series that was broadcast between 1968 and 1977. In a BBC poll in 2004 to find Britain’s best sitcom the show was voted number 4 – just ahead of Fawlty Towers and Yes Minister but below The Vicar of Dibley, Blackadder and Only Fools and Horse, which topped the list.

== What is Dads Army? ==

The premise for Dad’s Army is very simple indeed. The show follows the men of the home guard of Walmington-on-Sea ...
...The series is based around their antics as they try to become a force fit to withstand anything thrown at them by the Nazis, or the Wardens or the Church Verger. The series as a whole is technically told as a series of flashback stories as the first episode begins in the ‘present day’ at a dinner as Captain Mainwaring addresses his old platoon. The programme doesn’t however return back to the present day in the final episode and this flashback idea ... more

Dad’s Army is a British comedy series that was broadcast between 1968 and 1977. In a BBC poll in 2004 to find Britain’s best sitcom the show was voted number 4 – just ahead of Fawlty Towers and Yes Minister but below The Vicar of Dibley, Blackadder and Only Fools and Horse, which topped the list.

What is Dads Army?

The premise for Dad’s Army is very simple indeed. The show follows the men of the home guard of Walmington-on-Sea on the south coast of England during World War 2. The series is based around their antics as they try to become a force fit to withstand anything thrown at them by the Nazis, or the Wardens or the Church Verger. The series as a whole is technically told as a series of flashback stories as the first episode begins in the ‘present day’ at a dinner as Captain Mainwaring addresses his old platoon. The programme doesn’t however return back to the present day in the final episode and this flashback idea isn’t evident in any of the other episodes. All of the episodes in all of the series tell self-contained stories although events in previous episode are sometimes loosely mentioned and the lives of the main characters constantly permeates all boundaries.

The Characters

The characters in Dad’s Army are truly unique in my opinion and fantastic to watch. They are all superbly depicted through both the acting and the witty lines written with painstaking brilliance.

The Home Guard of Walmington-on-Sea is led by the towns bank manager and self appointed Captain, Mr Mainwaring (Arthur Lowe), who despite his seeming arrogance and his general lack of military, simply wants to protect his country and more importantly his 'boys'. Second in command is Platoon Sergeant Arthur Wilson (John le Mesurier), who has a constant need check if something is “wise” and whose relationship with Private Pike's mum, Mavis, is certainly questionable. Closely behind him is the town's bayonet barmy butcher Lance Corporal Jack Jones (Clive Dunn), who's all too eager to let "Gerry" have it or to simply tell the platoon a story about his time fighting the “Fuzzy-Wuzzies” and assure them not to panic!

The ranked soldiers are then aptly backed up the rest of the platoon. There’s two-faced Scotsman Private James (John Laurie) with his always classic “we’re all doomed!” and his general pessimistically arrogant attitude. Private Charles Godfrey (Arnold Ridley) the team’s medical orderly whose always on hand with a cup of tea but whose constant need to “be excused” can often be a hindrance. Private Joe Walker (James Beck) who can get his hands on anything and everything if you give him half a chance. His comic interruptions, witty statements are loveable nicknames [Taffy, Spikey, Jonesy] are timeless. Finally comes Frank Pike (Ian Lavender) who’s the youngest member of the team at only 19 and dreadfully mollycoddled by his mother. Frank is eternally eager and his respect for the other men in his platoon is clear to see.

All of these characters are in-turn neither backed up by the high and mighty members of General Head Quarters, Mr ‘I’ll have to tell the Vicar’ Yeatman [Church Verger], the all too polite Vicar and of course who could forget Mr ‘turn that light out’ Hodges [Chief ARP Warden] and his ‘rabble’.

Series Four DVD

The full 13 episodes from series four are all contained in one box-set and across two DVD’s. All of the episodes in this set can be watched with subtitles, which I can honestly say are rather accurate. It is also worth nothing noting at this point that all of the episodes in this series were originally filmed in colour and that all have survived in such condition with excellent picture and sound quality throughout.

On top of the episodes the DVD’s also contain a documentary entitled, “We Are the Boys…James Beck”. This documentary focuses on actor James Beck who played Private Joe Walker and features interviews with other case and crew members. This documentary also explains how the cast as well as the writers got over the actors sudden death. The feature is fantastic to watch and I found it both interesting and entertaining as Walker has always been my favourite character.

The DVD also contains a photo gallery but this is nothing special as it simply contains screen shots from some of the episode rather than anything previously unseen or behind the scenes.

Episodes

Series 4
1. The Big Parade
Private Walker is provifding the platoon’s mascot for the big upcoming parade.

2. Don’t Forget the Diver
The platoon come up with an ingenious plan to triumph over the Eastgaet platoon in an exercise.

3. Boots, Boots, Boots
Fed up of lengthy road marches the platoon spawn a plan to foil Captain Mainwarings goal for fast, functional and fit feet.

4. Sgt – Save My Boy!
During a blackout Pike gets himself caught up in some barbed wire and the others must cross a mined beach to save him from drowning when the tide comes in.

5. Don’t Fence Me In
The platoon are detailed to guard a local Italian POW camp and Walker spies an opportunity for cheap labour.

6. Absent Friends
Taking advantage of Mainwaring’s absence the platoon opt to participate in a ddarts match against the wardens rather than turn up for parade.

7. Put That Light Out
The platoon are sent to guard the local lighthouse and Corporal Jones is in charge!

8. The Two and a Half Feathers
A new addition to the platoon – Private Clarke – reveals that he served with Jones in the Sudan and questions the corporal’s service record.

9. Mum’s Army
Mainwaring plans to involve the women of the town in the platoon but thing sbecome a little too personal.

10. The Test
Challeneged to a cricket match by the Wardens the platoon are determined to triumph but the Wardens have recruited a top-class bowler.

11. A. Wilson (Manager)?
Mainwaring is vexed when he finds out that Wilson has been promted to manager of the Swlalow Bank and an officer in the platoon near there.

12. Univited Guests
When the ARP headquarters is bombed, Hodges moves his Wardens into Mainwaring sHQ at the Church Hall.

13. Fallen Idol
After an Officers’ drinking session Mainwaring is left a little worse for wear and determined to restore the respect of his men.

Episode Opinion

Now I am a huge fan of Dad’s Army and I absolutely adore all of the episodes in this, the third, series. All of the episodes in this series are fantastic to watch and the continuance of relationships between all those in the platoon is really charming to watch. The niches that the characters found in the previous series continue to be there’s alone and this really makes each episode a treat, as like in Series Three you frequently believe you can know what will happen but the outcome is never quite what you expected.

Now every series of every TV programme I watch usally leaves me with a favourite episode but with Dad’s Army I never find it possible to single out one episode and I suppose this in itself highlights the strength of the show as a whole. This happens though simply because each episode brings something new to the table, it builds on something we already know, explains something else or simply introduces new ideas which will blossom over future episodes. ‘Don’t Fence Me In’ for example sees the platoon turn against one of their own whilst ‘Sgt – Save My Boy!’ sees them all pull together under extraordinary circumstances. ‘A. Wilson (Manager)?’ is poignant in a strnage sort of way whilst ‘Put That Light Out’ and ‘The Test’ show the platoon outside of their normal environment and are simply comic genius. In short I cannot choose a favourite episode because doing so but imply that I weren’t as fond of others and that is simply not the case.

Humour

The level of humour reached in series three is sustained in this series as well as in future series’ and the truth humour, which was so prominent in the first two series’ now relies more on perfectly placed often poignent phrases, deadpan faces and the audiences ability to associate with the characters rather than the head on approach of forcing the honest truth about the Home Guard’s situation into the open.

The subtle relationshiop humour and the slapstick comic element continue and play greater part in the episodes without it becoming over the top in any way. Corporal Jones and his inability to do most thing swith an element of cahos is always funny as are his frequent requests for “Permission to Speak”, “Permission to volounteer” and general eagerness to let anyone and everyone have it.

It is however the subtle relationship humour that for me is the best and always will be. Sergeant Wilson’s obscure relationship with Mavis Pike remains something that Mainwaring constantly brings up as is the fact that Wilson went to a ‘posh’ school. Mainwarings inability to use the 24-hour clock and Wilson’s constant need to help him out also continues as do Godfrey’s frequent requests to ‘be excused’. It is these continuations that make the programme seem so natural and so enjoyable to watch.

The rlationship between Corporal Jones and Private Joe Walker alos remians one of the best in the programme and the way in which Walker repeats Jones’ popular “they don’t like it up ‘em” and constantly laughs at the “silly old dufer’s” enthusiasm is brilliant to watch. We as an audience are all too aware of the fact that the pair mutually respect one another and this is often prominet in episodes where the other may desert them.

All of the humour within the series is however mixed with some very hard hitting statements at times and some truly poignant moments. These are like in previous series’ often found in the way that characters react to certain situations and most of all to each other. It is these poignant moments that make the programme so top class as not only is the fun and pride of being in such a unit brought out but also the danger and the sacrifice. The episodes that manage to mingle the danger of the situations but also the comradey and the fun are some of the best I have ever seen.

Music

All of the music used in the Dad’s Army series was taking from the period in question and therefore is historical accurate and not in conflict with what is being shown on the screen. Better still a lot of the music used is lesser known war-time pieces or marching songs and in a way this adds a greater sense of authenticity.

The best piece of music in the series however is the title track, which everyone seems to know. This is a track that epitomises the programme in my opinion and is one that I just can’t help but sing along to. Just incase you’re not aware of the track in question I have reproduced the first verse below:
“Who do you think you are kidding Mr. Hitler, if you think we're on the run?
We are the boys who will stop your little game.
We are the boys who will make you think again.
'Cus who do you think you are kidding Mr. Hitler, if you think old England's done?”

General Opinion

Dads Army as a series is probably the best comedy series ever made and this series certainly doesn’t let the show down. It is fresh and entertaining throughout and because the characters have themselves been established for some time they are able to run wild and take the programme into a whole different league. Everything about the programme is vibrant and fun and shows the good old Hoem Guard of in a very positive light.

I would whole-heartedly recommend this series to anyone and everyone. It has a rating of PG and can therefore we watched, enjoyed and chersihed by young and old alike. It is in my eye simply a comedy that will never die and whose humour will stay forever young.  

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