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Review

A star rating of 3 out of 5.

Director Oliver Parker revives another iconic comedy series following his reboot of the St Trinian's franchise in 2007. Here, he takes command of the second big-screen outing for the BBC's beloved Home Guard warhorse, in which Toby Jones's deluded Captain Mainwaring and Michael Gambon's smiley Private Godfrey are the standouts in an impressive parade of British character actors. It's an all-out laugh attack, expanding the action from parochial intrigue to espionage and actual conflict, while boosting female participation, which not only includes Catherine Zeta-Jones as a glamorous reporter who sets male hearts a-fluttering, but also the first flesh-and-blood appearance of the formidable Mrs Mainwaring (Felicity Montagu). Meanwhile, Annette Crosbie and Julia Foster are a delight as Godfrey's sisters, a pair of sibling Miss Marples. There are also pleasing cameos from Ian Lavender (the original Private Pike, played here by Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison) and Frank Williams (still the vicar), and nods to original episodes and catch phrases. But while the new Dad's Army is celebratory in tone, not all the gags or comic-strip plotlines honour the spirit of the series, which could be subtle and poignant, too. It's fond, flag-waving, but also faulty.

How to watch

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Credits

Cast

rolename
Captain MainwaringToby Jones
Sergeant WilsonBill Nighy
Rose WintersCatherine Zeta-Jones
Private GodfreyMichael Gambon
Lance Corporal JonesTom Courtenay
Private FrazerBill Paterson
Private WalkerDaniel Mays
Private PikeBlake Harrison
Mrs PikeSarah Lancashire
Mrs FoxAlison Steadman
Colonel TheakesMark Gatiss
Cissy GodfreyAnnette Crosbie
Mrs MainwaringFelicity Montagu
Dolly GodfreyJulia Foster
Brigadier PritchardIan Lavender
The Reverend Timothy FarthingFrank Williams (1)
Warden HodgesMartin Savage
Mrs ToddJacqueline Tong
CanarisOliver Tobias
DaphneEmily Atack

Crew

rolename
DirectorOliver Parker

Details

Theatrical distributor
Universal
Released on
2016-02-05
Languages
English | German
Available on
DVD and Blu-ray
Formats
Colour

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