Dad's Army (1968)
The beloved BBC wartime sitcom following a hapless Home Guard platoon defending the British coast during World War II.
Dad's Army - Series Information
- Original Title: Dad's Army
- First Air Year: 1968
- Last Air Year: 1977
- Created by: Jimmy Perry
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy, War, Politics
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 9
- Number of Episodes: 77
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: July 31, 1968 (United Kingdom - PG), July 31, 1968 (Germany - 12), July 31, 1968 (France - 12), July 31, 1968 (Spain - 13)
- Networks: BBC One
- Production Companies: BBC
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Dad's Army - Plot
Introducing the Walmington-On-Sea home guard. During WW2, in a fictional British seaside town, a ragtag group of Home Guard local defense volunteers prepare for an imminent German invasion.
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Dad's Army - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Jimmy Perry
Main Cast
- Arthur Lowe
- John Le Mesurier
- Clive Dunn
- John Laurie
- Arnold Ridley
- Ian Lavender
- James Beck
- Bill Pertwee
- Edward Sinclair
- Colin Bean
Writers
- Jimmy Perry
- David Croft
Dad's Army - FAQs
Is Dad's Army based on a true story?
Dad's Army draws directly from real history. Creator Jimmy Perry served in the Home Guard as a teenager during World War II, and the show reflects genuine experiences of civilian volunteers who drilled with limited equipment while awaiting a German invasion that never came. The characters are fictional, but the setting and spirit are rooted in fact.
Why is Dad's Army considered a British comedy classic?
Few sitcoms have matched Dad's Army for warmth, wit, and enduring affection. Its perfectly drawn ensemble — pompous Mainwaring, languid Wilson, panicky Jones — gave British audiences characters they genuinely loved. Running nine series from 1968 to 1977, it remains one of the BBC's most celebrated productions and still attracts devoted viewers decades on.
Where can you stream Dad's Army?
Dad's Army is available to stream on BritBox, accessible either through the BritBox Apple TV Channel or the BritBox Amazon Channel, both on a subscription basis. BritBox specialises in classic British television, making it the natural home for this beloved BBC series.
Who are the main cast members of Dad's Army?
The platoon is led by Arthur Lowe as the self-important Captain Mainwaring and John Le Mesurier as the unflappable Sergeant Wilson. Clive Dunn plays the excitable Corporal Jones, while John Laurie, Arnold Ridley, Ian Lavender, and James Beck round out the unforgettable ensemble of bumbling but loveable volunteers.
What is the famous catchphrase from Dad's Army?
The show gifted British culture several iconic catchphrases. Corporal Jones's frantic cry of “Don't panic!” — delivered while panicking — became a national institution. Private Fraser's gloomy “We're doomed!” and Captain Mainwaring's exasperated “Stupid boy!” directed at young Pike are equally embedded in the British comedic vocabulary.
How many series and episodes does Dad's Army have?
Dad's Army ran for nine series between 1968 and 1977, producing 77 regular episodes alongside a substantial collection of specials. The series grew in confidence and ambition across its run, with the middle series — particularly Series 3 through 5 — widely regarded as the creative peak of the show.
Did Dad's Army win any major awards?
Dad's Army earned considerable recognition during its run, including BAFTA nominations, and its cultural impact has been acknowledged repeatedly in the decades since. In 2004, it was voted the fourth greatest British sitcom in the BBC's own poll. Its legacy has been cemented through stage adaptations, a feature film, and a 2016 cinema remake.
What shows are similar to Dad's Army?
Fans of Dad's Army often enjoy ‘Allo ‘Allo!, which mines similar WWII comic territory with a Continental twist, and Hogan's Heroes, the American take on wartime absurdity. M*A*S*H offers a darker but equally sharp comedic lens on military life, while Foyle's War provides a more dramatic British wartime companion piece.
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