Dad's Army: Why you might learn something from oldtelly
KJ44
Posts: 38,093 Forum Member
✭
Watching this on the PVR.
During the telling of the story, Godfrey reveals that in the previous war, he was a conscientious objector who refused to fight.
Mainwaring, appalled and disgusted, orders Godfrey to get out of his sight; whilst Wilson is tolerant and understanding of Godfrey's need to follow his conscience
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branded_%28Dad%27s_Army%29
It's like reading classic literature. Deep, deep sh1t.
During the telling of the story, Godfrey reveals that in the previous war, he was a conscientious objector who refused to fight.
Mainwaring, appalled and disgusted, orders Godfrey to get out of his sight; whilst Wilson is tolerant and understanding of Godfrey's need to follow his conscience
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branded_%28Dad%27s_Army%29
It's like reading classic literature. Deep, deep sh1t.
0
Comments
Yes it was good seeing their faces when his sister tells them about how he joined the ambulance service and helped save injured service men.
One of the best episodes they made.
I think the characters in that show were probably an accurate reflection of the type of people who were around in those days. Mainwaring is brilliant as the classic stiff upper lip Englishman.
Rightly feted as one of the best TV series' ever made.
I agree and it hasn't dated, it could have been made yesterday.
I recall an episode where the men were training for something - it involved moving some logs around - and Mainwaring had taken his position on a small mound to observe with hands behind back, chest out etc. Wilson was standing at ground level just beside the mound.
As expected the men were making a bit of a hash of things and going very slowly. Mainwaring ordered Wilson to make them hurry along. Wilson looked perturbed at having to do so but did it anyway - in his usual soft and pathetic fashion - something like, "Would you all mind hurrying along now - there's good chaps."
Mainwaring said nothing but gave such a disdainful look toward him. That look summed up exactly what Mainwaring thinks of Wilson's capability as a sergeant - but he MUST keep the rank because he's an Assistant Manager at the bank.
Brilliant.
I'm no fan of privilege, but maybe Dad's Army is saying that education is about more than just doing your job?
Of course. Mainwaring is shown to lack intelligence over and again throughout the series'. It's one of the main reasons why everything usually ends in such a calamity.
PS ...... Private Godfrey was Arthur RIdley. His play The Ghost Train is on again this weekend (sat & next sun) .......... set your pvr, then curl up with a cup of coco for this spooky classic !
(it's radio, but "the best pictures are on radio"!).
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jyx0#broadcasts
http://www.thechestnut.com/ghost-train.htm
I think one of the reasons the series hasn't dated when many other comedies of that era have is that it was already a period piece. By 1967-77, when the series was shown, the society it depicted had already largely disappeared.
I agree Dave 100%.
This is the reason why it has been able to gain fans since its first airing, as there isnt anything contempoary to date it.
As to this episode, it must be in my favourite 2 or 3 episodes of DA.
Script writer Jimmy Perry's favourite episode, apparently.
Its very well written but based on status Wilson should be the captain. He was a captain in WW1, Mainwairing wasn't.
Mainwaring has obviously climed the social ladder since WW1 but the chip on his shoulder about him not getting the respect he feels he is due is never far from view. Wilson's lack of interest in status only makes him all the more resentful.
The thing is though Wilson was a Captain in the Great War but unfortunately we don't know whether he was a Captain Darling or a Captain Blackadder in the way they tried to live through it on a daily basis. Both Captains at the end did their duty though. It may be that Wilson is so polite and gentle because he could be making amends for the officer class of World War 1.
its more likely that he would rather be off enjoying life rather than enduring the tedium of mid rank administration
"I drink to the health of Cardinal Puff ......"
Thanks you very much, spiney2 for posting this. I've set it to record.
I grew up with Dad's Army and dig into the DVD box set every so often and still enjoy.
Quality writing and timeless presentation.
The one where Arthur was also playing Mainwaring's drunk twin brother was also very good.
One of my fondest childhood memories of the 70s was watching this great show.