"The Black Adder" (1983) TV series

User Rating:

8.6/10   

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

15 June 1983 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | History

Tagline:

The most gripping sitcom since 1380.

Plot:

Prince Edmund, a.k.a. the Black Adder, constantly schemes to take the crown from his father and brother with the help of Lord Percy and Baldrick.

Plot Keywords:

Black Adder | King | Battle | England | Dark Ages

Cast

Rowan Atkinson	...	Edmund, Duke of Edinburgh / ... (7 episodes, 1982-1983)
Elspet Gray	...	The Queen / ... (7 episodes, 1982-1983)
Tim McInnerny	...	Percy / ... (7 episodes, 1982-1983)
Patrick Allen	...	Narrator / ... (7 episodes, 1982-1983)
Brian Blessed	...	King Richard IV / ... (6 episodes, 1983)
Tony Robinson	...	Baldrick / ... (6 episodes, 1983)
Robert East	...	Harry, Prince of Wales (6 episodes, 1983)
Bert Parnaby	...	Cain, A Blind Beggar / ... (3 episodes, 1983)
Roy Evans	...	Abel, A Blind Beggar / ... (3 episodes, 1983)
David Nunn	...	Messenger / ... (3 episodes, 1983)
Perry Benson	...	Daft Ned, A Peasant / ... (3 episodes, 1983)

Also Known As:

"Blackadder"

Runtime:

35 min (6 episodes)

Country:

UK | Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:15 | Australia:M | Singapore:PG | Iceland:12

Filming Locations:

Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, England, UK

Company:

7 Network

Trivia:

Much of this series was shot on film and on location in the north of England, which resulted in a cost considered exorbitant at the time for a BBC comedy series. As a result it was not renewed for a second series. However, in 1984 the team was able to convince BBC One (with new controller Michael Grade) to produce a second series with the understanding that costs would have to be cut dramatically (for example "Blackadder II" (1986) being shot entirely in a studio on videotape, except for a small amount of location filming used for the ending credits).

Quotes:

Opening tune singer: The sound of hoof beats 'cross the glade / Good folk, lock up your son and daughter / Beware the deadly flashing blade / Unless you want to end up shorter / Black Adder, Black Adder, he rides a pitch black steed / Black Adder, Black Adder, he's very bad indeed / Black: his gloves of finest mole / Black: his codpiece made of metal / His horse is blacker than a vole / His pot is blacker than his kettle / Black Adder...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Comic Relief 2003: The Big Hair Do (2003) (TV)

Fun to be had, but not quite up to later standards

I first saw Black Adder when it was broadcast on A&E, in the mid-80's. It was a fun show, but not quite as good as the second series, also broadcast on A&E, at that time.

The series does establish the historical satire and even sends up Shakespeare. Prince Edmund is a schemer, but is more inept than his descendants. In this version, Baldrick is the smarter of the two, a situation reversed in later shows.

The acting is first rate, although Brian Blessed chews more scenery than a regiment of moths. Rowan Atkinson is superb, as always, as is Tony Robinson as Baldrick. Great guest appearances by Peter Cook and Frank Finlay.

The show gets better as it progresses, but, I still prefer the later series. I find it interesting that each succeeding Black Adder is worse off than the last. He starts out as a prince, is reduced to a lord, then a butler to the Prince Regent, then a captain in the army. Granted, he recoups the family fortunes at the turn of the Millenium. Definitely worthwhile.