The Real Dad's Army

Dave Homewood · The Real Dad's Army

There was an excellent series made by Meridian in 2001 called 'The Real Dad's Army', which starred Ian Lavender as the presenter, and featured other well known people like jimmy Perry, Norman Longmate and Sir Patrick Moore as well as other ex-Home Guards.

It was really well edited with lots of wartime footage and photos couled with modern day scenes of quintessential Britain. It's a fascinating series with lots of interesting info and stories.

Back when it came out I was very kindly sent a copy, but it was a copy of a copy and recorded in LP. So the quality isn't great. I'd love to upgrade to a nice copy if possible.

Does anyone know whether this series was later released on DVD? I cannot even find it listed on IMDb sadly.

Oz

After they repeated it on the History Channel, I phoned Meridian and asked if they were releasing this brilliant series on DVD. They replied like they had not even thought about it. When I asked if I could buy video tapes of the episodes for my own private use they said yes - at £90 each. So 6 videotapes = £540 - bargain. Not. It was pretty much another way of them saying two fingers to one of their viewers. Rolling Eyes

There was also the great series about Auxiliary Units, Doodlebugs and V2s, plus one about the Blitz, all done by Peter Williams Television. I spoke to him. He's a nice guy but he too had not thought about releasing the series on DVD.

I wonder if the real reason is that the History Channel has bought the exclusive rights to the series? This is a pity because the series were strong enough to be released as DVDs (the 3 or so Home Guard DVDs already out there are pretty amateur with the same old film footage on) and the History Channel rarely repeat these series....

Novelty Rock Emporium

Lots for sale on ebay, just search for Home Guard DVD, the link below does mention that Ian Lavender did the voice over.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Remembering...temQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

Oz

Like I say, these DVDs are pretty average with the same old film on all of them. They are not a patch on the TV series mentioned above...

Dave Homewood

I agree with Oz. Ian did two different Home Guard programmes, one for video release as seen on ebay, and then later the series whjich was far superior. He actually presents the series rather than narrates in the earlier production. He did a really fine job as presenter too.

I have heard that Philip Madoc also presented a programme or series on the Welsh Home Guard around the same time as Ian's series. Maybe for HTV? I've never seen it though.