Americans React to Dad's Army: British Comedy

Felipe and Lillian, Americans living in the UK, watch an excerpt from Dad's Army's "Resisting the Aggressor Down the Ages" from Christmas Night with the Stars. Check out what these Americans think of classic British comedy!

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PLAYLISTS

VIDEOS

[MGustave]

Dads Army is one of those things that has great emotional significance to people, which is one of the reasons it is still popular today, people watched it with their elderly relatives and parents, and associate it with family.

[boog]

Many of the cast were veterans, Godfrey ( the old fella playing Caesar) was a bona fide war hero from both world wars.

[contactlight]

When this aired, it was a homage to the Men of the Home Guard. In the show the men, for the most part, were buffoons and thats where the slapstick happened but it was always done with hand on heart affection and love for those older men who wanted to do 'their bit' again.

You see, the Home guard were veteran soldiers of the Great War. These men were as heroic as human beings can get and yet there was still room for a little ribbing and micky taking. THAT is what makes this a truly British. The ability to mock the sacred and to revere the inane.
No one took offence to this show. If you didnt like it, you didnt watch it.

My Grandfather was a WW1 Veteran and Home Guard in WW2 and he could relate to everything this show offered and loved it.

[samjenner]

The best episode is where Captain Mannering's brother shows up. Arthur Lowe plays both parts. It demonstrates what an underrated actor he was.

[Daniel-jlfb]

"Your name will also go on ze list, what is it?"
"Don't tell him Pike"
"Pike" (writes down name)🤣😂
That has to be the most well known comedy line in history.

[MGustave]

Actually, the bbc didnt want to make the show for fear of offending the generation that remembered the war, but those people found it hilarious. It was one of the most popular shows ever in the UK. The cast went on packed out tours doing it in theatres.

[Mick_Harrison]

I've seen every episode of DA many times over, but I don't remember ever seeing this one! Many of the actors were veterans not only of the army and the war but the stage also, Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier (Capt Mainwairing and Sergeant Wilson) were masters of their craft and for me the scenes they did together were always the highlight of each show, always funny, but often very touching too. It's timeless comedy, despite being set in one particular era, it will always have a special place in my heart and I'm sure that's true for most of us who grew up with it.

[johnriley]

Not the best episode, there are a lot better episodes

[martyndavies]

The Home Guard was made up of war veterans, who had been through hell in the 1st world war. They formed to protect Britain and were very efficient. Dad's Army is a hilarious programme, with serious undertones. Many of the ex 1st world war veterans were used to putting their life on the line and were fearless. There are 2 younger exceptions. Private Pike is a young man, who was waiting for his call up papers. When he was called up, they discovered that he had a rare blood group and he was rejected and stayed in the Home Guard. The other is Private Walker, who was a spiv. I suppose in America, they would call him a scrounger. If you wanted it, he would get it for you. Women's stockings, whiskey, food etc. Many of the actors were also war veterans in real life. Corporal Jones, (Clive Dunn), was a prisoner of war in Germany. The old man Godfrey, (Arnold Ridley), had been badly injured on 3 occasions in the trenches; on 2 occasions very badly. He now walks with a limp.The Scottish Private Frazier, (John Laurie), had also experienced some terrible things in the war. Also those 2 characters were not police, they were ARP Wardens. It was their job to make sure that there were no lights showing during the blackout. If a bomb dropped, it was their job to attend to it. They were very brave; often pulling people, dead or alive, from demolished houses, while often having to put the fire out.

[carlboardman]

Felipe it looks like you're finally staring to understand the English sense of humour, We have a dark sense of humour and we like to laugh at ourselves also.

[stephmill]

If you cannot make fun of ones self. Then you cannot make fun of anything else. Take your children to a good Pantomime this Christmas holiday.

[eddievision]

Iconic comedy series written by the brilliant Perry and Croft who also gave us Allo allo, Hi di Hi....there's so many great moments in the series a timeless classic.

[robinhooduk]

just a tip, although probably wont help as, if bbc want to take you out they will, but its "fair dealing law" in UK, not fair use. if you get into trouble with vids from uk producer, say fair dealing.

[LynneStringerAuthor]

My grandfather was in Dad's Army and he loved the show and said it was very accurate!

[somersetnewsnetwork]

The best of british comedy. well done. some of the best actors we have, under acting, great stuff. My grand dad was in the Home Guard and he said it was just like this.

[tiavmoi]

I use to watch Dad's Army when I was a kid back in the 1970's. It was and still is one of my favourite TV shows. My mum and dad were children during the 2nd world war and enjoyed the comedy just as much as I did. The original cast made a cinematic version which came out in the 70's and recently there's been an updated version with a new cast in the cinimas. Great reaction 👏👍

[glynlewis]

Back then, people were not precious, and were not 'offended'.

[michaelwilliams]

Sadly all passed away except for Ian Lavender (Pike), God bless them all.

[richardhague]

I grew up in New Zealand during the 70's and 80's and our TV content was a combination of British and American comedy. British and American comedy is just so different to each other and that's not even considering differences in language or colloquialisms. i've watched a few of your reaction videos to British comedy and i just want to say i love that you're giving these shows ago.

[SISU]

Great comedy, I laughed as a lad and now as an old fart . The fact that it's still broadcasted, is testimony in itself !