Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
British WWII comedy with slapstick action won't engage kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Dad's Army
What's the Story?
It's 1944 in DAD'S ARMY, late in World War II. England is the key to unleashing the Allies' invasion of Nazi-dominated Europe. Plans are being made for an offensive action. On the south coast of England, the "Home Guard," (in this case, a motley crew of senior citizens and armed forces' rejectees -- those always pesky "flat feet"), led by George Mainwaring (Toby Jones), a likeable know-it-all, prepare to do their part by keeping the area secure for whatever the English have planned. Enter a reporter with movie-star good looks (Catherine Zeta-Jones) who wants to make them famous as she writes about their "work." Unfortunately, the Germans are well aware that there's about to be an all-out assault coming from English shores. Nazi security is desperate for information. Enter a spy. Will Mainwaring and company uncover the traitor who's sending messages to the Nazis? Will they bungle the job so badly that the Germans get wind of Operation Overlord -- the battle that will ultimately turn the tide of war? Or will they save the day (and at least a few marriages) along the way?
Is It Any Good?
Even with some of England's prime emeritus players at their silliest, this is a thin effort that fails to revive a very popular 1970s British sitcom about the Home Guard during WWII. Toby Jones, Bill Nighy, Michael Gambon, and Tom Courtenay are having a wonderful time in Dad's Army. They preen, they fall on their bums, they mug; they make the most of a conventional plot -- elderly codgers who, despite their missteps and internal squabbles, do their part to save Merrie Olde England and the civilized world from the mustache-twirling Nazis. Zeta-Jones flashes some lovely leg, flutters some lustrous eyebrows, and charms the small-town citizens. However, none of that is enough. The characters are one-dimensional. The jokes are telegraphed for miles. And there's barely an iota of suspense or a hint of ripened wit. It's hard to imagine that today's young US audiences will connect with this film, but some of the actors have real fans amongst those kids (i.e., Gambon as Dumbledore and Nighy as Billy Mack in Love Actually) so that may be enough.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the differences between "farce," "parody," and "satire"? Which term best describes "Dad's Army?"
The fictional events in this movie lead up to World War II's most famous battle. Find out more about the Allied landing on Omaha Beach in Normandy in June, 1944. How did that event change the course of the war? Why was it so essential to keep the time and place a secret?
Why do you think audiences respond to comedies that are about serious subjects such as war and wartime? What emotional purpose does it serve to find humor in events that have life-and-death significance? Can you think of other somber events or issues that have been successfully filmed with a light touch?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 5, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : December 20, 2016
- Cast : Bill Nighy , Toby Jones , Catherine Zeta-Jones
- Director : Oliver Parker
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship , History
- Run time : 100 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate