Dad's Army remains the best British situation comedy. Repeats today still achieve remarkable viewing figures. Its appeal remains timeless, and there are generations of fans laughing at Captain Mainwaring, Sgt Wilson, Jones, Pike, Godfrey, Walker, Fraser and the evil greengrocer Hodges, who were born long after it was made.
Christmas is a time for nostalgia, and nobody did comedy nostalgia better that David Croft and Jimmy Perry. 'We're Doomed' is the story of how this talented partnership wrote, produced and persuaded reluctant BBC bosses to broadcast, Dad's Army.
There is also some marvellous comedy is this one off drama. John Sessions is excellent as Arthur Lowe, pompously struggling with constipation (although of course for the record toilet humour isn't funny at all.). Julian Sands is not quite right as the brilliant John Le Mesurier, but Hove's own Michael Cochrane is a perfect fit for Arnold Ridley/Private Godfrey. As with all of Croft and Perry's work, there is a fine line between laughter and sadness, and this time it is supplied by Cochrane's Ridley explaining how he lost the rights to all his plays (including the Ghost Train). Roy Hudd is spot on reprising his Bud Flanagan routine for the singing of the theme tune, finally confirming that Mr Brown went to town on 'the 8.21' if you still had any doubts.
We're Doomed is repeated Christmas Day at 10.20pm, and is available on the iPlayer. If you are a Dad's Army fan then it is well worth a post Christmas dinner nostalgia wallow.
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