"The Black Adder" (1983) TV series 1983-

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

15 June 1983 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | History

Tagline:

The most gripping sitcom since 1380.

Plot:

In the Middle Ages, Prince Edmund the Black Adder constantly schemes and endeavors to seize the crown from his father and brother.

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)
Robert East	...	Harry, Prince of Wales (6 episodes, 1983)
Brian Blessed	...	King Richard IV / ... (6 episodes, 1983)
Tony Robinson	...	Baldrick / ... (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)

Series Directed by
Martin Shardlow		(6 episodes, 1983)

Series Writing credits
Rowan Atkinson		(7 episodes, 1982-1983)
Richard Curtis		(7 episodes, 1982-1983)
William Shakespeare		(6 episodes, 1983)

Series Produced by
John Lloyd	....	producer (6 episodes, 1983)

Series Original Music by
Howard Goodall		(7 episodes, 1982-1983)

Series Film Editing by
Mike Jackson		(6 episodes, 1983)

Series Production Design by
Chris Hull		(6 episodes, 1983)
Nigel Curzon		(3 episodes, 1983)

Series Costume Design by
Odile Dicks-Mireaux		(6 episodes, 1983)

Series Makeup Department
Deanne Turner	....	makeup designer (6 episodes, 1983)

Series Production Management
Marcus Mortimer	....	production manager (6 episodes, 1983)

Series Art Department
Tricia Ruddell	....	property buyer (7 episodes, 1982-1983)
Steve Connelly	....	graphic designer (6 episodes, 1983)
Penny Rollinson	....	property buyer (3 episodes, 1983)

Series Sound Department
Richard Chamberlain	....	sound (7 episodes, 1982-1983)
John Taylor	....	boom operator (7 episodes, 1982-1983)
Clive Derbyshire	....	film recordist (6 episodes, 1983)

Series Visual Effects by
Chris Lawson	....	visual effects designer (6 episodes, 1983)

Series Stunts
Gareth Milne	....	stuntman (2 episodes, 1983)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Brian Clemett	....	lighting (6 episodes, 1983)
William Dudman	....	film cameraman (6 episodes, 1983)
Ron Peverall	....	camera supervisor (6 episodes, 1983)

Series Editorial Department
Angela Wilson	....	vision mixer (6 episodes, 1982-1983)
Mykola Pawluk	....	vt editor (6 episodes, 1983)

Series Other crew
Hilary Bevan Jones	....	assistant floor manager / production team (7 episodes, 1982-1983)
Jan Hallett	....	production assistant (6 episodes, 1983)
Peter Granger	....	technical manager (5 episodes, 1983)

Production Companies

• 7 Network
• BBC Worldwide
• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Distributors

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (1983) (UK) (TV) (original airing)
• BBC Video (????) (UK) (VHS)
• BBC Video (????) (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

35 min (6 episodes)

Country:

UK | Australia

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:M | Singapore:PG | Iceland:12 | UK:15 | Australia:PG (Cable TV rating)

Filming Locations:

Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, England, UK

Company:

7 Network

Trivia:

According to Tony Robinson, he was flattered at being offered the role of Baldrick, and only later learned that the role had been turned down by nearly every bit-part actor.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Blackadder is throughout the series referred to as the Duke of Edinburgh, a title that was first bestowed by King George I in 1726, on his grandson, Prince Frederick Lewis, in the Peerage of Great Britain. Thus, the title didn't exist in the late 1480s.

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 "Screenwipe: Episode #4.4" (2007)

Filled with wit

If you are having trouble defining wit, sarcasm or tongue-in-cheek watch one episode of "Black Adder". It's all there and then some. Each episode mints a new insult or sly comeback. The art of verbal humor has finally found a champion in the authors and actors of Black Adder.