Blackadder - Complete Blackadder (DVD)

The Blackadder series, begun in the 1980s, was a comedic masterpiece set forth by Rowan Atkinson and his comrades. From start to finish, the first series was a masterstroke of wit, irony and comedic styling that fits both the contemporary and medieval situations perfectly.
The first series was set in the pre-Tudor royal family, projecting that Richard III won at Bosworth Field, and Richard IV succeeded him, until after many adventures, the entire royal family was done in, and Henry Tudor reworte history thereafter. The first series starred Brian Blessed and Elspet Gray as the King and Queen, and Robert East as their eldest son, the Prince of Wales. Rowan Atkinson played the second son, who with companions Percy and Baldrick (Tim McInnerny and Tony Robinson) create most of the comic scenes. BlackAdder variously becomes the Archbishop of Canterbury, the betrothed of the Spanish Infanta, a witch on trial, and finally, however briefly, King of England. There were six episodes of this series (as would be true for each of succeeding regular series years) - they included many attempts by Blackadder to take power, including the crown itself - something that would repeat in various manner over the subsequent years save the last. Both Tim McInnerny and Tony Robinson will recur as characters in later years; Baldrick is the only consistent major character besides Blackadder - in the first year, however, he is rather more clever than his future generations; indeed, in this first series, Baldrick is probably the most intelligent of the lot (a scary thing indeed!)

The second series sees Percy and Baldrick following a descendent of Blackadder in Elizabethan times; as befits the period, the characters are more vibrant and saucy, particularly Blackadder, who still seeks his fortune as one of the Queen's suitors. Here he variously becomes the royal executioner, a sea-faring discoverer, a bankrupt noble, and finally a traitor to the crown, albeit not without a sense of humour. Miranda Richardson puts in a spectacular performance as Queen Elizabeth, with Stephen Fry and Patsy Byrne in attendance. Stephen Fry will recur throughout the series.

In the third series, Blackadder is still close to the crown, as the butler of the Prince Regent, a despised position to a despised person. Baldrick is still around, and the Prince is played by Hugh Laurie, who will recur in the final series. Done almost as a period comedy, the very titles and situations pay hommage to the day of the Scarlet Pimpernel, Dr. Johnson's dictionary, and the conflict with France. Through an interesting set of circumstances, butler and prince trade places, and the Blackadder finally obtains his intended goal, albeit in the name of someone else.

In the fourth and final series, Blackadder has fallen from a great height, and is an officer in the trenches of World War I. Baldrick is still there, and Percy and the Prince have transformed into fellow field officers, with Stephen Fry playing a bellicose general here as he did Wellington in the third series. The main device of this series is the effort by Blackadder to escape the trenches, by variously becoming an artist, a theatre producer, a chef, but to no avail finally, producing a sombre end to the dynasty.

There are also various pieces of trivia, guides, and a Richard Curtis interview included among the discs.

Love this,always have since first viewed on the BBC. I say always but that`s not quite true. The first series never really hit the heights of 2,3 and 4 but it still had it`s moments. None more so than Miriam Margolies as the Spannish infanta and Jim Broadbent as her escort and their attempting to win the hand of Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) in wedded matrimony! Broadbent`s Spannish accent was both crazy and a delight! For the most though the series was rambling and over played (Brian Blessed especially). A clever and educated Baldrick (Tony Robinson) did not compare favourably to the "villiage idiot" type Baldrick we came to know and love in the later shows. Enough said.
Things took off in the 2nd series. Blackadder was both dashing and villainous. His sharp wit and selfish motives being centre to the plot. The characters besides Blackadder were superb. His sidekicks, the stupid Percy (Tim McInerny) and the now crusty and witless Baldrick were perfect as they were constantly downtrodden by Blackadder. Baldrick`s "I have a cunning plan!" became the shows major catchphrase. At the palace there was "Queenie" (Miranda Richardson), Queen Elizabeth the First. Always hovering over the choice "shall i marry Blackadder? or have him beheaded?" The nervousness of Blackadder in the presence of Queenie always brilliantly played by Rowan Atkinson....never knowing what frame of mind Queenie was in from one moment to the next. Stephen Fry was great as the the snivelling Lord Melchet by Queenie`s side.
Two performances to look out for though are Tom Baker as Captain Rum and in a later episode, Rik Mayall in his first outing as Lord Flashart (BRILLIANT!).
Series 3 sees Blackadder as butler/servent to the Prince Regent (Hugh Laurie). Baldrick has sunk to an even lower class of idiot but is still coming up with those "cunning plans!" This is another wonderfull series capped by Stephen Fry`s performance as the Iron Duke of Wellington in the final episode. His "assault" (both verbal and physical) on Hugh Laurie (the Prince Regent disguised as his own butler, Blackadder) being one of best comedy moments of all time!
Ofcourse though, series 4 ("goes forth") is the pinnacle. FANTASTIC, BRILLIANT, HILLARIOUS and ultimately poignant and sad. The final scene as the brave tommies "go over the top" to their slaughter one of the best in Brittish television (not just comedy). The characters in the trenches of the first world war are delightfully played. Blackadder again looking after number one, Baldrick being Baldrick, Lieutennant George (Hugh Laurie) innocently chomping at the bit to fight for "King and country" and Tim McInerny as Captain Darling (what a superb name and what a simple but brilliant joke) penpushing for Major Cecil Hogmanay Melchet (Stephen Fry again, his finest role ever in television). Again, even in a brilliant series like this one moments still stand out. Another appearance by Rik Mayall, this time as the number one pilot Flashart of the flying corps, Baldrick`s war poems (Boom,boom,boom!),Blackadder attempting to prove his insanity with pencils up his nose and a pair of underpants on his head, "Speckled Jim" and ofcourse, that final scene.
Add to all of this "Blackadders Christmas Carol" (a very clever twist to an old favourite story) and the "goes back and forth" episode, celebrating the turn of the Millenium and you have the (almost,very nearly) perfect collection of the greatest comedy moments written by Ben Elton and Richard Curtis.