Bringing back a beloved sitcom that means so much to so many is a risky undertaking, but when you’ve got the best British cast in recent memory on board then that surely makes things simpler.
Director Oliver Parker (Dorian Gray) has enlisted an A-team of Brit talent for Dad’s Army to revive the Walmington-on-Sea platoon of the Home Guard made famous in the 1970s sitcom created by David Croft and Barnes’ Jimmy Perry.
Read more:
- MAPPED - south London's most famous film locations
- Set visit - on the north Kent set of horror movie The Rizen
- Hatton Garden heist film - 11 actors who could play Dartford's Brian Reader
- Say My Name - Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston talks about his Oscar-nominated role in Trumbo
- Sir Ian McKellen launched BFI's Shakespeare on Film season at the Southbank
The cast, to name just a few, includes Hammersmith-born Toby Jones as Captain Mainwaring, Caterham’s Bill Nighy as Sergeant Wilson, Crayford-raised Sir Michael Gambon as Godfrey, Sir Tom Courtenay (Jones), Sarah Lancashire (Mrs Pike), Mark Gatiss (Colonel Theakes), Alison Steadman and Greenwich’s Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison as Pike.
Set in 1944, the plot is driven by a spy on the loose in their native Walmington-on-Sea and the arrival of a glamourous journalist, played by Oscar winner Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Speaking on the red carpet at the film’s world premiere in Leicester Square last night, Dr Who and Sherlock supremo Mark Gatiss told us it was ‘an honour’ to be involved in reviving the classic comedy.
He said: “I think everyone was a bit sceptical at first because it is such an institution but Hamish (McColl)’s script is just wonderful and very touching and funny and real and it takes the story on a bit.
“It is set in 1944, which is a bit later than the series, when the Home Guard is actually being wound down.
“It is the same but different.
“Everyone involved is doing it because they love Dad’s Army and they want to be involved in it. I had such a good time. It was freezing cold but a good time.
“I think the film is charming and very funny and if you love Dad’s Army, I hope you love this.”
For Daniel Mays - whose filmography includes playing Ronnie Biggs opposite Sheridan Smith in Mrs Biggs, Byzantium, Atonement and Vera Drake – it was the chance to work with the sensational cast which persuaded him to sign up.
He told us: “It sounds cliché but they are absolute heroes of mine.
“I can remember seeing them all in films and TV shows. I remember seeing Gambon in The Caretaker and all that sort of stuff.
“That thing of never meet your heroes because you’re going to get disappointed – it totally wasn’t the case.
“They were professional and funny, hard-working and that sort of stuff – an amazing group of actors to be a part of.”
Mays plays the wheeler dealer Private Walker, originally embodied by James Beck in the series, and like the rest of the cast had to come to terms with bringing life to a well-established character in a way that would be his own yet also honour the original.
He said: “Whenever I watched James Beck play that role, he just made me laugh. He was a warm Walker.
“You could have played it quite sleazy.
“I wanted to have as much enjoyment with the role as James Beck did. He is the spiv of the cast and brings a great energy to it and he’s a ladies man selling nylons and pheasants and chocolates and all that.
“I just wanted to embrace what is great about Joe Walker and just give it over to a new audience.”
The 37-year-old admitted tampering with a show as highly-regarded show was intimidating but also worthwhile.
He said: “A lot of people will have the mentality of ‘how can you perfect on perfection?’ because it’s such an iconic show – brilliantly written and superbly performed.
“By its nature, when you have a new group of actors to play those parts, immediately it’s different.
“The other thing is this is a great canvas for it to exist on: film technology is so advanced now. We have Steadicam shots and set pieces and stunt work. It just gives the whole thing a bigger place to breathe on.”
Dad’s Army (PG) is out Friday, February 5.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel