Another fun, funny episode of Dad's Army. They're off on a training exercise and the training commander is quite the annoyance, making for us vs them situation. Hijinks ensue.
5 Reviews
Some real action on the training field.
Sleepin_Dragon14 January 2020
The platoon head to a training session, where they will learn surgical techniques, and how to live in the wild. The training session is held by a tyrant, who makes life very difficult for the team.
The train journey is funny, as is the subsequent disastrous attempts to find the base. The training is funny, as is the scene where Mainwaring goes head first into the water.
It does feature some iconic scenes, the men appearing to be out in battle. I wouldn't say it's a classic episode, but it does have some funny moments. 7/10
The train journey is funny, as is the subsequent disastrous attempts to find the base. The training is funny, as is the scene where Mainwaring goes head first into the water.
It does feature some iconic scenes, the men appearing to be out in battle. I wouldn't say it's a classic episode, but it does have some funny moments. 7/10
Not that funny but a very well told story
phantom_tollbooth9 June 2023
Battle School is another interesting episode in Dad's Army's evolution. Like the first episode of series 3, it's not an especially funny episode but it is a well-directed one, making good use of more ambitious outdoor locations as the platoon get involved in a training exercise away from the comforts of Walmington-on-Sea. There's a well-established, immersive atmosphere as we follow the characters on their train journeys, through an uncomfortable night in a barn, and then out in the field for the exercise. There's some uninspired physical comedy involving falling in mud and water, which would've been more effective if done once rather than repeatedly, and the scenes of Jones falling on the ground and emerging with various objects stuffed in his mouth are just awful. But the telling of the story works, even if few of the jokes do. The underlying theme of Mainwaring trying to regain his platoon's confidence provides a satisfying throughline and the sense of camaraderie by the end is palpable. There's also an interesting meta moment in which the platoon whistle the theme tune to Dad's Army as they're marching.
Battle School
Prismark107 November 2018
A one hour train journey stretches out to a couple of hours. Godfrey's bladder is also stretched to the limit.
The Platoon are on a weekend training mission. Captain Rodrigues, a veteran of the Spanish civil war are going to teach them guerilla fighting techniques. The Platoon also needs to capture the officers headquarters.
However things don't go well for the Platoon. Captain Mainwaring gets them lost and they are frequently late for breakfast or dinner. They are not missing much as it is just slop.
Private Walker plans to get the platoon some decent food from the local farm but the farmer catches him at it.
Fraser loses faith in Mainwaring as the training is not going well but Captain Mainwaring has a trick up his sleeve.
The move from black and white to colour does show up the clumsiness in the blue screen work. It is nice to see the outdoor filming and the mess Mainwaring got himself into such as stepping into the river.
The Platoon are on a weekend training mission. Captain Rodrigues, a veteran of the Spanish civil war are going to teach them guerilla fighting techniques. The Platoon also needs to capture the officers headquarters.
However things don't go well for the Platoon. Captain Mainwaring gets them lost and they are frequently late for breakfast or dinner. They are not missing much as it is just slop.
Private Walker plans to get the platoon some decent food from the local farm but the farmer catches him at it.
Fraser loses faith in Mainwaring as the training is not going well but Captain Mainwaring has a trick up his sleeve.
The move from black and white to colour does show up the clumsiness in the blue screen work. It is nice to see the outdoor filming and the mess Mainwaring got himself into such as stepping into the river.
General Fare with Some Highlights
nemo-2706210 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
A pleasant episode, though some of the gags seem somewhat worn out and are dragged out again with no twist or change which would keep them fresh. Nevertheless, the heroic efforts of Mainwaring, the mischief of Walker and the lovely ending note of the episode are more than enough to make the whole spectacle rather enjoyable.
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