The Spa Bridlington is to host a regional premiere of the new Dad’s Army film – and East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Screen Yorkshire are offering local people the chance to win tickets to it.
The regional premiere takes place on Wednesday, 3 February, two days before the movie goes on general release to the public.
Directed by BAFTA award-winning director Oliver Parker, the film brings together a stellar, award-winning British cast including Bill Nighy, Catherine Zeta Jones, Toby Jones,Tom Courtenay, Michael Gambon, Blake Harrison, Daniel Mays and Bill Paterson.
Dad’s Army was filmed on location in the region following investment from Screen Yorkshire through its Yorkshire Content Fund.
It is 1944 and World War II is reaching its climax. The Allies are poised to invade France and finally defeat the German army. But in Walmington-on-Sea morale amongst the Home Guard is low.
Their new mission then – to patrol the Dover army base – is a great chance to revive spirits and reputation, that is until glamorous journalist Rose Winters arrives to write about their exploits, setting the pulses racing and putting the local women on red alert.
MI5 then discover a radio signal sent direct to Berlin from Walmington-on-Sea. There’s a spy on the loose!
The outcome of the war is suddenly at stake, and it falls to our unlikely heroes to stand up and be counted.
Bridlington’s Old Town, Danes Dyke and South Landing beach at Flamborough, Bempton, Sewerby Hall and East Riding Theatre in Beverley were all used as film locations alongside Scarborough, Leeds, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and Helmsley.
It is hoped the movie will have a great impact on the region’s tourism industry, particularly in the East Riding where much of it was filmed, for many years to come.
Producer Damian Jones, who will attend the regional premiere next Wednesday, said:
“We had a wonderful experience shooting Dad’s Army in Yorkshire. Its stunning locations give the film an epic scale and the people were beyond helpful.”
Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said:
“This will be a fantastic occasion for Bridlington and the East Riding.
“It is a rare honour to host such a prestigious event and we are delighted that not only did Universal Pictures choose the East Riding for the filming locations but it has also given Bridlington the spotlight of a film premiere.
“We all know what a beautiful place Bridlington is and movie-goers around the world will soon be seeing it in all its glory.
“East Riding of Yorkshire Council provided lots of support to the Dad’s Army production and crew and, as a film-friendly council, we hope this will lead to many more projects in the future to showcase our wonderful county.”
The regional premiere is an invite-only event but East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Screen Yorkshire are running a competition for 50 pairs of tickets.
To be in with a chance of winning, explain in no more than 50 words why you think you should win.
Email your entry, along with your name, full postal address and a daytime contact telephone number, to dadsarmy@eastriding.gov.uk by no later than 9am on Monday 1 February.
Precedence will be given to entrants who can demonstrate an involvement with the film, whether as an extra, volunteer or a local business supporting the production.
All qualifying entries will be put into a draw and the first 50 to be drawn will each win a pair of tickets to the premiere event. Winners will be notified by email on Monday 1 February.
Entrants must be available to attend on the evening of Wednesday, 3 February. Entries received after 9am on Monday 1 February will not be included in the draw. The judges’ decision will be final and no other correspondence will be entered into.
Only email entries can be accepted because of the short timescale involved in this competition.
Dad’s Army is released in cinemas on 5 February.
