Dad’s Army (2016)

Sunday, December 23, 9.00pm RTÉ 2

Almost 40 years after the popular BBC series wrapped, the Wilmington-on-sea Home Guard returned to our screens. It wouldn’t have meant much to some, but to a certain generation, Captain Mainwaring, Lance Corporal Jones, Private Pike and Sergeant Wilson are iconic characters. And there’s the problem. While it’s interesting to see Michael Gambon’s take on Godfrey and watch Bill Nighy channel his inner John Le Mesurier, the movie doesn’t o er much beyond a nostalgic glow. The story has our geriatric heroes preparing for a Nazi invasion while having to contend with the distracting presence of a glamorous female journalist (Catherine Zeta-jones). The scenario doesn’t pull up any trees, but the die-hards will enjoy seeing the original Pike (Ian Lavender) and Frank Williams’ Reverend Timothy popping up in cameos (they will be less happy about Mrs Mainwaring being so prominent). Meanwhile, Toby Jones does a terri c job as the stu y Captain Mainwaring and there’s fun to be had seeing how screenwriter Hamish Mccall introduces the legendary catchphrases. As for the Nazis, well, you won’t be surprised to hear that they still don’t like it up ’em.