We're Doomed! The Dad's Army Story

We're Doomed! - an exercise in marking time

Somehow, though, unlike the troop hired to play the ragbag of Army volunteers, it never quite came together. Paul Ritter's Perry was too needy and snappy to be likeable. The BBC stuff-shirt types all blended into one, the production hitches weren't interesting enough. The question we must ask of all tributes and 'stories of' is, was that better than watching the real thing? Only, I'd say, if you prefer powdered eggs to real ones.

Paul Ritter stars as frustrated thesp Jimmy Perry, while Richard Dormer is David Croft, a jaded comedy producer feeling pushed out by the BBC. When Perry comes to Croft with his script for a sitcom tentatively titled The Fighting Tigers, the two men begin a battle against "the enemy within" to get it made by the BBC. The dialogue may be on the broad side, but the acting and direction are splendid. Ritter and Dormer are grippingly good, while John Sessions makes for an astonishing Arthur Lowe.

Dad's Army is one of the best-loved sitcoms but this comedy drama tells the story of its troubled creation and how it nearly failed to make it. It's set in the BBC of the 1960s in what seems like a dingy British equivalent of Mad Men: executives in boxy suits smoke in their offices but the American show's sleek glamour is replaced here with absurdity and frustration.

Jimmy Perry came up with the idea for Dad's Army when he was a struggling actor being constantly rejected for roles. He turned to writing out of desperation, thinking he could create a part for himself where he'd be sure to be cast. Teaming up with David Croft, they perfected the script but there were grumblings from BBC bigwigs that the war was "old hat" and no-one would be interested in the show. Then there was the task of persuading actors to take on silly roles. Poor Perry, despite having written a part from himself, was told he couldn't be cast as the show would work as an "ensemble" and an actor can't also be the writer as it would upset the balance.

Heartbroken, he threw himself into making it the best sitcom it could be, and worked to court and persuade the chosen actors, many of whom were initially difficult and not impressed at being asked to play daft old men.

Dad's Army is comedy gold - but the BBC wasn't so sure

Dad's Army is one of our finest ever sitcoms - but in an exclusive interview with Radio Times, creator Jimmy Perry explains how it almost didn't make it to air.

How well do you really know Dad's Army?

Test your knowledge of the BBC classic.

Paul Ritter stars as frustrated thesp Jimmy Perry, while Richard Dormer is David Croft, a jaded comedy producer feeling pushed out by the BBC. When Perry comes to Croft with his script for a sitcom tentatively titled The Fighting Tigers, the two men begin a battle against "the enemy within" to get it made by the BBC. The dialogue may be on the broad side, but the acting and direction are splendid. Ritter and Dormer are grippingly good, while John Sessions makes for an astonishing Arthur Lowe.

The making of We're Doomed

We're Doomed! reveals the battle to get Dad's Army to our TV screens. Mark Braxton met the cast and crew treading in the footsteps of comedy giants...

Review: We're Doomed! The Dad's Army Story

Jewel in the crown is John Sessions, so unrecognisable as Arthur Lowe you'd think they'd somehow defrosted the Captain Mainwaring star from suspended animation.

We're Doomed! The Dad's Army Story - review

Brown suits, big specs and cigarette smoke are the stars as the story of one of Britain's best-loved sitcoms unfolds.

Review: We're Doomed! The Dad's Army Story

As a big Dad's Army fan I was looking forward to seeing the dramatisation of the making of the original series. I am certainly looking forward to it more than certain film adaptations coming up next year.