Rating: 
Summary: Raving Lunatics with Cunning Plans!
Review: I caught Black Adder during its first run on BBC when I was visiting relatives in England as a teenager. Even as an American with VERY little British history knowledge to back up the story lines, I was rolling on the floors with every episode. Between Black Adder's lunacy (care of Rowan Atkinson), his assistant Baldrick's cunning plans (and inability to go back to being a dung shoveler, seeing as it took him years to get to that status level before befriending Black Adder), and Lord Percy's unbelievable naivety, you'll be rolling on the floor too. And I haven't even mentioned the other main characters (like the king, played very well by Brian Blessed) and guest stars (although most are only well known in England). Side-splittingly funny. Unfortunately, I had to leave the UK before seeing the final episode - which really whet my apetite when it showed up on PBS back here in the US. And I was not dissapointed at all!
About 20 years later, I now know a little more about about British history - and it makes the series even funnier. What's more, my appreciation of Shakespeare has increased, and this show is riddled with snide comedic references to it throughout. Just wait 'til you see the end of the first episode (make sure to keep watching until the end of the credits!) - you'll just about burst from laughing.
Well worth the purchase, especially for anyone with any level of interest in British history and/or literature. The only negative I can come up with is that the first episode MIGHT be too violent for very young children to watch (not to mention the lewdness in some subsequent episodes). But this isn't a show that young children would enjoy anyway.
If you're up for a good laugh, I've a cunning plan for you: Buy this DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: Black Adder gets medieval
Review: Black Adder stars Rowan Atkinson, an absolute comic genius who is also the star of Mr. Bean. The screenplays were written by Richard Curtis (Mr. Bean, Not the nine o'clock news) and Ben Elton - possibly one of the funniest modern writers.In the first series, Rowan Atkinson plays a weak chinned, effeminate heir to Richard, Duke of York. Set in medieval England, we are introduced to two of the most often recurring characters in Black Adders live(s) - Percy and Baldrick. Lord Percy is an eager to please, high strung dolt. Baldrick, an filthy peasant that is under qualified to be the village idiot, acts as Black Adder's golfer. There are six episodes in the first series: 1. The Foretelling - a lone horseman, cursed with a bad haircut and a large codpiece, races to battle after sleeping in. After three cases of mistaken identity, the wrong king is crowned, the enemy escapes and three witches fortell of Black Adder's rise to the crown. 2. Born to be a King - the cowardly Black Adder must plot against a barbaric Scottish cousin in order to keep his holdings amidst a cast of leaping rabbi's, a eunch's feast and the death of a pharaoh. 3. The Archbishop - Archbishops die fast and often in Medieval England. So it is perfect obvious to Black Adder that his pious brother, and rival to the throne, desparately needs the job 4. The Queen of Spain's Beard - international treachery gives Black Adder a chance to press his shriveled little body against some of Europe's most eligible princesses. 5. Witchmeller Pursuivant - a bit of black death is in the air, but that's not what is threatening to kill Edmund Black Adder 6. The Black Seal - thwarted for the last time, Edmund sets forth to find seven evil men and fulfill the witches prophecy
Rating:
Summary: Black Adder gets medieval
Review: Black Adder stars Rowan Atkinson, an absolute comic genius who is also the star of Mr. Bean. The screenplays were written by Richard Curtis (Mr. Bean, Not the nine o'clock news) and Ben Elton - possibly one of the funniest modern writers. In the first series, Rowan Atkinson plays a weak chinned, effeminate heir to Richard, Duke of York. Set in medieval England, we are introduced to two of the most often recurring characters in Black Adders live(s) - Percy and Baldrick. Lord Percy is an eager to please, high strung dolt. Baldrick, an filthy peasant that is under qualified to be the village idiot, acts as Black Adder's golfer. There are six episodes in the first series: 1. The Foretelling - a lone horseman, cursed with a bad haircut and a large codpiece, races to battle after sleeping in. After three cases of mistaken identity, the wrong king is crowned, the enemy escapes and three witches fortell of Black Adder's rise to the crown. 2. Born to be a King - the cowardly Black Adder must plot against a barbaric Scottish cousin in order to keep his holdings amidst a cast of leaping rabbi's, a eunch's feast and the death of a pharaoh. 3. The Archbishop - Archbishops die fast and often in Medieval England. So it is perfect obvious to Black Adder that his pious brother, and rival to the throne, desparately needs the job 4. The Queen of Spain's Beard - international treachery gives Black Adder a chance to press his shriveled little body against some of Europe's most eligible princesses. 5. Witchmeller Pursuivant - a bit of black death is in the air, but that's not what is threatening to kill Edmund Black Adder 6. The Black Seal - thwarted for the last time, Edmund sets forth to find seven evil men and fulfill the witches prophecy
Rating:
Summary: At last! At last!
Review: Finaly its made it to region 1 dvd, after getting a sneak preview of this title from a friend with a region 4 version of this disk i couldnt wait to order the complete set on DVD. Perhaps the funniest, wittiest and blackest comedy to ever hit television in the world!! watch and fall for the charactors who get funnier and funnier with every episode and series (maybe not the last millenium show though!). For all those who havent seen this series. Watch it!! The best thing to come from Britian since fried chips!!
Rating:
Summary: At last! At last!
Review: Finaly its made it to region 1 dvd, after getting a sneak preview of this title from a friend with a region 4 version of this disk i couldnt wait to order the complete set on DVD. Perhaps the funniest, wittiest and blackest comedy to ever hit television in the world!! watch and fall for the charactors who get funnier and funnier with every episode and series (maybe not the last millenium show though!). For all those who havent seen this series. Watch it!! The best thing to come from Britian since fried chips!!
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious
Review: I still remember how I accidently stumbled across this series many years ago, channel surfing and finding some very strange show on PBS (it was the Archbishop episode). I ended up on the floor laughing. If you love Monty Python, Red Dwarf, Bottom etc you will love this series. There are four series within the series and the beauty is they are all great, and you will want to watch them over and over and over.
Rating:
Summary: He has a cunning Medieval Plan
Review: Rowan Atkinson is one of Britain's most beloved comedians, but it is with the tales of the BlackAdder he shines most. This is the first series of tales that start in Medieval times and correct the "mistaken point of history", such as who really killed Richard III. This is the complete Medieval arc with all 6 tales. The Foretelling tells how Richard III did not really die on Bosworth field, and Edmund Blackadder's father rising to be King. However, three witches mistakenly tell Edmund he will one day be King, so he set off to make this happen. In the second episode - Born to be King - he plots to expose his brother Harry as being born out of wedlock, believing his father is already dead and he will then be crowned king. Instead, of exposing his brother, he finds out there is a question about his own birth. In Episode 3 (one of the most hilarious) - The Archbishop - the King decides he need someone as Archbishop to stop people from leaving their worldly wealth to the church. He figures Edmund is just the person to be his handpuppet. Only, two Knights Templar over hear a conversation about Becket and think the King was Edmund killed. Episode 4 - another riot called - The Queen of Spain's Beard - The king decides Edmund, no longer of use as ex-archbishop, he can marry a foreign princess in order to strengthen England's alliance. She is far from idea in Edmunds eyes and he goes to various extremes trying to rid himself of her. Episode 5 is called - Witchmeller Pursuivant - The plague is start to rear it's head, and with it the Burning Times. And Edmund instead of being closer to the throne is suddenly accused of witchcraft - and his horse, too. The series closes with the last episode - The Black Seal - In a last determined effort, Edmund does what he must to be crown king.... They are so funny with a super supporting cast. They are British Comedy at it's best.
Rating:
Summary: He has a cunning Medieval Plan
Review: Rowan Atkinson is one of Britain's most beloved comedians, but it is with the tales of the BlackAdder he shines most. This is the first series of tales that start in Medieval times and correct the "mistaken point of history", such as who really killed Richard III. This is the complete Medieval arc with all 6 tales. The Foretelling tells how Richard III did not really die on Bosworth field, and Edmund Blackadder's father rising to be King. However, three witches mistakenly tell Edmund he will one day be King, so he set off to make this happen. In the second episode - Born to be King - he plots to expose his brother Harry as being born out of wedlock, believing his father is already dead and he will then be crowned king. Instead, of exposing his brother, he finds out there is a question about his own birth. In Episode 3 (one of the most hilarious) - The Archbishop - the King decides he need someone as Archbishop to stop people from leaving their worldly wealth to the church. He figures Edmund is just the person to be his handpuppet. Only, two Knights Templar over hear a conversation about Becket and think the King was Edmund killed. Episode 4 - another riot called - The Queen of Spain's Beard - The king decides Edmund, no longer of use as ex-archbishop, he can marry a foreign princess in order to strengthen England's alliance. She is far from idea in Edmunds eyes and he goes to various extremes trying to rid himself of her. Episode 5 is called - Witchmeller Pursuivant - The plague is start to rear it's head, and with it the Burning Times. And Edmund instead of being closer to the throne is suddenly accused of witchcraft - and his horse, too. The series closes with the last episode - The Black Seal - In a last determined effort, Edmund does what he must to be crown king.... They are so funny with a super supporting cast. They are British Comedy at it's best.
Rating:
Summary: He has a cunning Medieval Plan
Review: Rowan Atkinson is one of Britain's most beloved comedians, but it is with the tales of the BlackAdder he shines most. This is the first series of tales that start in Medieval times and correct the "mistaken point of history", such as who really killed Richard III. This is the complete Medieval arc with all 6 tales. The Foretelling tells how Richard III did not really die on Bosworth field, and Edmund Blackadder's father rising to be King. However, three witches mistakenly tell Edmund he will one day be King, so he set off to make this happen. In the second episode - Born to be King - he plots to expose his brother Harry as being born out of wedlock, believing his father is already dead and he will then be crowned king. Instead, of exposing his brother, he finds out there is a question about his own birth. In Episode 3 (one of the most hilarious) - The Archbishop - the King decides he need someone as Archbishop to stop people from leaving their worldly wealth to the church. He figures Edmund is just the person to be his handpuppet. Only, two Knights Templar over hear a conversation about Becket and think the King was Edmund killed. Episode 4 - another riot called - The Queen of Spain's Beard - The king decides Edmund, no longer of use as ex-archbishop, he can marry a foreign princess in order to strengthen England's alliance. She is far from idea in Edmunds eyes and he goes to various extremes trying to rid himself of her. Episode 5 is called - Witchmeller Pursuivant - The plague is start to rear it's head, and with it the Burning Times. And Edmund instead of being closer to the throne is suddenly accused of witchcraft - and his horse, too. The series closes with the last episode - The Black Seal - In a last determined effort, Edmund does what he must to be crown king.... They are so funny with a super supporting cast. They are British Comedy at it's best.
Rating:
Summary: Wickedly funny
Review: The first, and the best, series of Blackadder. Starring Rowan Atkinson as Prince Edmund aka 'The Black Adder'. Each hilarious episode sees the hopeless Edmund trying to wrest some power from his father the King (Brian Blessed) and Harry his older brother aided by his two sidekicks Percy and Baldrick.
As usual, the 'cunning plans' backfire on the hapless trio with the usual side splitting consequences. Wickedly funny and well worth watching
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