Knights of Madness

"Knights of Madness"
Dad's Army episode
Episode no.	Series Nine Episode 077
Directed by	David Croft
Story by	Jimmy Perry and David Croft
Produced by	David Croft
Original air date	16 October 1977 (recorded 22 July 1977)
Running time	30 minutes
Episode chronology

Knights of Madness is the third episode of the ninth series of the British comedy series Dad's Army that was originally transmitted on 16 October 1977.

Synopsis

To support the "Wings for Victory" week, the platoon restages the Battle of Saint George and the Dragon. This does not go down well with Hodges and his ARP wardens, however, as they have been planning the same thing.

Plot

At the town meeting, the council are trying to organise the events that will take place in order to celebrate Saint George's Day. After a vote, it is decided that the Home Guard and the ARP will share the grand finale. Both Mainwaring and Hodges are reluctant to reveal what they each will be doing for the event.

Later that day, Mainwaring is in his office with Wilson and Pike. Mainwaring tells them of his plan to celebrate St. George's day by staging a fight between St. George and a dragon, representing Britain's fight against Hitler. Mainwaring reveals that he will be playing St. George.

During the rehearsal of the fight, Mainwaring is finding it quite difficult to manoeuver in a real suit of armour, but is persistent stating "that if out ancestors could wear it, so can I". After falling off the horse a number of times, he eventually gives up and agrees to let Godfrey's sister knit him a suit of armour. Meanwhile Pike is told to dress up as a Squander Bug using a costume his mother made him, but finally gets out of this — becoming a herald instead.

As the platoon are about to get their staged fight underway, the ARP interrupt them, as they too are staging the historical fight scene. As things take a turn for the worse, Hodges challenges Mainwaring to a duel, which he accepts. The two dragons also face off, with Jones at the head of one and the Vicar at the head of the other. Wilson tells Pike that they "ought to do something" and with that, Pike shoots Hodges' horse in the backside with his pea-shooter, causing it to rear up and throw Hodges off. The Home Guard dragon eventually defeats the ARP dragon, and Mainwaring salutes the cheering crowd from his horse.

Notes

The episode references the popular story of St George and the Dragon. However it throws a peculiar twist on it by having St George fight St George and the dragon fight the dragon.

Quotes

Mainwaring: "A man in my position can't be seen fighting a dragon in cardboard armour!"

Cast

Dad's Army by Jimmy Perry & David Croft

Characters

Episodes

Adaptations

Merchandise

Other articles

Episodes

Series 1	The Man and the Hour Museum Piece Command Decision The Enemy Within the Gates The Showing Up of Corporal Jones Shooting Pains

Series 2	Operation Kilt The Battle of Godfrey's Cottage The Loneliness of the Long Distance Walker Sgt. Wilson's Little Secret A Stripe for Frazer† Under Fire

Series 3	The Armoured Might of Lance Corporal Jones Battle School The Lion Has Phones The Bullet is Not for Firing Something Nasty in the Vault Room at the Bottom Big Guns The Day the Balloon Went Up War Dance Menace from the Deep Branded Man Hunt No Spring for Frazer Sons of the Sea

Series 4	The Big Parade Don't Forget the Diver Boots, Boots, Boots Sgt – Save My Boy! Don't Fence Me In Absent Friends Put That Light Out! The Two and a Half Feathers Mum's Army The Test A. Wilson (Manager)? Uninvited Guests Fallen Idol

Series 5	Asleep in the Deep Keep Young and Beautiful A Soldier's Farewell Getting the Bird The Desperate Drive of Corporal Jones If the Cap Fits... The King was in his Counting House All is Safely Gathered In When Did You Last See Your Money? Brain Versus Brawn A Brush with the Law Round and Round Went the Great Big Wheel Time on My Hands

Series 6	The Deadly Attachment My British Buddy The Royal Train We Know Our Onions The Honourable Man Things that Go Bump in the Night The Recruit

Series 7	Everybody's Trucking A Man of Action Gorilla Warfare The Godiva Affair The Captain's Car Turkey Dinner

Series 8	Ring Dem Bells When You've Got to Go Is There Honey Still for Tea? Come In, Your Time Is Up High Finance The Face on the Poster

Series 9	Wake Up Walmington The Making of Private Pike Knights of Madness The Miser's Hoard Number Engaged Never Too Old

000!!Specials	Santa On Patrol Resisting the Aggressor Down the Ages Cornish Floral Dance Battle of the Giants! Broadcast to the Empire My Brother and I The Love of Three Oranges

Episodes in italics are missing
† Episode has been reconstructed for release using animation.

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