‘POLES APART’ (TV)

Please feel free to comment on my review.

This is a little confusing. This Christmas mini-episode is called ‘Santa on Patrol’, according to Wikipedia. Yet on ‘The Missing Episodes’ DVD, it’s called ‘Poles Apart’. I would have preferred it if the episode was called ‘Santa on Patrol’, as it’s a way better title.

Regardless, this was the first ‘Christmas Night with the Stars’ mini-episode to feature the ‘Dad’s Army’ cast. They did four in total, including this one, ‘Resisting the Aggressor Down the Ages’, ‘The Cornish Floral Dance’ and ‘Broadcast to the Empire’. Two are currently missing.

‘Santa on Patrol’ (or ‘Poles Apart’) is one of them. Thankfully, an audio recording of the TV episode was made, and it’s very good that we get to have an animation of the episode. ‘Santa on Patrol’ might be considered the most festive ‘Dad’s Army’ Christmas Special. 🙂

This is especially when you consider Jonesy, Frazer, Walker, Godfrey and Pike dress up in Santa outfits. It’s funny to see, especially in animation. Incidentally, the original cast can be heard in the animation episode, including James Beck as Private Walker, which is nice.

This mini-episode happens to feature the second appearance of Edward Sinclair as the Verger. He was credited as ‘the Caretaker’ in ‘The Showing Up of Corporal Jones’ in Series 1, but honestly, I believe the character is still the same rather than as a different character.

It’s amazing to think that ‘Santa on Patrol’ (or ‘Poles Apart’) was the first Christmas Special made featuring the ‘Dad’s Army’ team and immediately after Series 1. Mainwaring delivers a speech at the end of this mini-episode where he wishes everyone a Merry Christmas.

‘Poles Apart’ (TV) rating – 7/10