Dad's Army is a 1971 British war comedy film directed by Norman Cohen and starring Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier, Clive Dunn, John Laurie, Arnold Ridley, Ian Lavender and James Beck. It was written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft and was the first film adaptation of the BBC television sitcom Dad's Army (1968–1977). It was filmed between series three and four and was based upon material from the early episodes of the television series. The film tells the story of the Home Guard platoon's formation and their subsequent endeavours at a training exercise.