Not sure how I feel about this

[Last Hussar]

Dad's Army remake for film

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29536370

[Poggle]

Hmm. I see what you mean. It's a stellar line-up, and they chose actors who look something like the original cast members. Not sure if it'll work or not, but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt.

[Subedai]

The cast list reads like a Who's Who of British male acting talent (of a certain age), and have obviously been chosen because they are quite close in looks to the first cast, (although it doesn't seem as if you can make a film nowadays without at the very least a cameo from Bill Nighy).  I love the original and I would like to think the new people will play the characters -who are such a integral part of the British comedy psyche- as per the originals. I think they realise they have to get it spot on or it will be a complete disaster. I'll watch it.

Poggle had got in before me but I can't be ar*ed to change it.

[Leon]

The cast looks very good, but like you guys, I'm not sure whether it'll work or not.  I hope it does though, as Dad's Army is one of the best comedy series ever made, and me and the kids always watch it when they come on.

[Leman]

Definitely a case of wait and see.

[Hertsblue]

I always think it's a big mistake to try to replicate a classic. Yes, there have been some good remakes, but for every one that you can think of there are a dozen that flopped. But at least they haven't relocated it to the east coast of America.... 

[Ithoriel]

I always think it's a big mistake to try to replicate a classic. Yes, there have been some good remakes, but for every one that you can think of there are a dozen that flopped. But at least they haven't relocated it to the east coast of America.... 

If it's a success, far from guaranteed despite the calibre of the cast and the chance to ogle the delicious Catherine Zeta Jones, I'm sure some enterprising American executive will come up with the idea of Walmington-on-the-Potomac!

[toxicpixie]

That'll be east coast, Japanese submarine raiding party panic I'd guess!

Or maybe those Mexi-Canadians

[Ithoriel]

I was thinking German U-Boats. Now, who to cast for the Phillip Madoc, U-Boat commander, part?

"Don't tell him your name Polanski!" 

[mollinary]

I was thinking German U-Boats. Now, who to cast for the Phillip Madoc, U-Boat commander, part?

"Don't tell him your name Polanski!" 

As he is supposed to be German, and a baddy, he would obviously have to be British - Alan Rickman?   

Mollinary

[Last Hussar]

The cast is spot on- especially Nighy. but this is the second of 2 problems.

The first is the script - you have to write a 20-teens script for a 60s/70s show set in the 40s.  Ben Elton managed it in "The Thin Blue Line", because while it is so obviously his tribute to DA, he could set it at the period, and not been constrained by the expectations of the original.

The problem with the cast is they could too easily drift into 'Tribute Band' area - Nighy would end up playing Le Messurier, rather than Wilson.  They need to interpret the character, whilst not going to far from the original cast.  Hamlet would be a easier part!

[Dave Fielder]

I Won't be rushing to see this, I've got all the originals available on TV & radio available online if needed; you can't replicate master pieces. The modern St Trinians films are an example of this, just not the same.

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Watched 'Pacific Rim' last night.

Ohhh...  Big things beating each other up. Really enjoyed it!

[Ithoriel]

I Won't be rushing to see this, I've got all the originals available on TV & radio available online if needed; you can't replicate master pieces. The modern St Trinians films are an example of this, just not the same.

I prefer the new ones to the originals to be honest. One man's meat and all that.

Hopeful about Dad's Army but time will tell.

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

Being discussed in the pub the other day - opinion was mixed. I  have to say the two spin-off's are pretty dire - Parsley Sidings and It sticks out 1/2 a mile. (Both radio series).

IanS