Dad's Army wasn't the only WW2 set satire, because we also had 'Allo 'Allo!, which, like Dad's Army, is a true classic. 'Allo 'Allo is probably one of the busiest Britcoms, and summing it up is actually a bit tricky, because so much goes on. Basically, it's about René, a French café owner during the war. And the series generally revolves around the various shenanigans that occur in the café. These range from hiding art from the Nazis, aiding the resistance, sheltering British pilots, and embarking on a series of affairs with various women. Compared to relatively simple series such as Open All Hours or Fawlty Towers, there really is a lot going on in this one, but I actually think it's better for it. It definitely sets 'Allo 'Allo apart from it's contemporaries, and gives the series a distinct edge on top of that.
There's a lot of characters in this series, so instead of listing all of the performances, I'll single out three. First, Gordon Kaye as René, who's definitely one of the strongest leads in a Britcom. He's a very entertaining and fairly engaging everyman who just happens to be involved in both sides of the war. Second, Vicki Michelle as Yvette, because she's Vicki Michelle and she's awesome. And my personal favourite character, Jack Haig as LeClerc, the master of disguise. This guy is an absolute riot, and one of my favourite things about this show.
Dad's Army may be a foundational sitcom, but for me, 'Allo 'Allo is much more fun, and actually funnier. I feel that it's better satire, and with all the different plot points and characters, it's just a more entertaining watch (though I love them both). It's one that I really love, and the farcical approach to the Second World War is one the strongest I've seen. It's also held up very well, and I think it deserves the acclaim it's received. Overall, 'Allo 'Allo is still an incredibly charming series, and it's one that I think will hold up for many more years to come.
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