"Black Adder the Third" (1987) TV series 1987-

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

17 September 1987 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | History

Tagline:

Macbeth!

Plot:

In the 19th century Regency era, Mr E. Blackadder serves as butler to the foppish numskull Prince George amidst the fads and crazes of the time.

Plot Keywords:

Servant | 19th Century | England | King | Cult TV

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

Rowan Atkinson	...	Edmund Blackadder, butler to the Prince / ... (6 episodes, 1987)
Tony Robinson	...	Baldrick, a dogsbody / ... (6 episodes, 1987)
Hugh Laurie	...	The Prince Regent, their master (6 episodes, 1987)
Helen Atkinson-Wood	...	Mrs. Miggins, a coffee shoppekeeper (6 episodes, 1987)

Series Directed by
Mandie Fletcher		(6 episodes, 1987)

Series Writing credits
Richard Curtis		(6 episodes, 1987)
Ben Elton		(6 episodes, 1987)

Series Produced by
John Lloyd	....	producer (6 episodes, 1987)

Series Original Music by
Howard Goodall		(6 episodes, 1987)

Series Film Editing by
Chris Wadsworth		(6 episodes, 1987)

Series Production Design by
Antony Thorpe		(6 episodes, 1987)

Series Costume Design by
Annie Hardinge		(6 episodes, 1987)

Series Makeup Department
Ann Fenton	....	hair stylist / makeup artist (6 episodes, 1987)
Victoria Pocock	....	designer of make-up / designer of makeup (6 episodes, 1987)

Series Production Management
Olivia Hill	....	manager of production (6 episodes, 1987)

Series Art Department
Judy Farr	....	buyer of properties (6 episodes, 1987)
Graham McCallum	....	designer of graphics (6 episodes, 1987)

Series Sound Department
Peter Barville	....	supervisor of sound (6 episodes, 1987)
Nick Way	....	deputy sound supervisor (2 episodes, 1987)

Series Visual Effects by
Stuart Murdoch	....	designer of visual effects (4 episodes, 1987)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Ron Bristow	....	director of lighting (5 episodes, 1987)
Ron Green	....	supervisor of cameras (5 episodes, 1987)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Alleyne Kirby Davies	....	costume assistant (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Sue Collins	....	mixer of vision (4 episodes, 1987)

Series Music Department
Alison Limerick	....	performer: end title song (6 episodes, 1987)
Richie Pitts	....	performer: end title song (6 episodes, 1987)

Series Other crew
Nikki Cockcroft	....	assistant to production (6 episodes, 1987)
Duncan Cooper	....	assistant manager of floors (6 episodes, 1987)
John Latus	....	co-ordinator of technicalities / coordinator of technicalities (4 episodes, 1987)
Allan Flood	....	supervisor of production operatives (3 episodes, 1987)

Production Companies

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Distributors

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Also Known As:

"Blackadder III" - USA (video title)

Runtime:

30 min (6 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:PG | UK:15 | Singapore:PG | Ireland:15

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

The "Blackadder" theme is played with a harpsichord, oboe and cello.

Quotes:

Prince George:What can I do to a woman that I can't do to you?
Blackadder:I cannot conceive, sir.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "House M.D.: Known Unknowns (#6.6)" (2009)

Too Good for Television!

We could still use Black Adder even today. Imagine Rowan Atkinson resuming the role of assistant to the prime minister played by the wonderful Hugh Laurie. Hugh is sensational as the dimwit Prince George and Edmund as his brilliant assistant. I love the episode which Kenneth Connor guest stars as a British thespian. Every time, Edmund says Macbeth. The two thespians do a silly little act to ward off evil spirits. It's the funniest things that you will see. Of course, none of this brilliance and comedic genius could be without Ben Elton and Richard Curtis who are also behind the films like Love Actually, The Thin Blue Line, Four Weddings and A Funeral. Black Adder is funny and almost too good for television. Humor can be smart, sexy, and funny all at one. I was hoping last night on Saturday Night Live that Hugh Laurie would pay homage to his background in British humor. If the gang at SNL did some research, they would know what a treasure it was to have Hugh Laurie grace their stage.