"Blackadder Goes Forth" (1989) TV series 1989-

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

28 September 1989 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | History | War

Plot:

Stuck in the middle of World War I, Captain Edmund Blackadder does his best to escape the banality of the war.

Plot Keywords:

Officer | Cult TV | World War One | Trench | Sexual Innuendo

Awards:

3 wins

Cast

Rowan Atkinson	...	Captain Edmund Blackadder (6 episodes, 1989)
Tony Robinson	...	Private S Baldrick / ... (6 episodes, 1989)
Stephen Fry	...	General Melchett / ... (6 episodes, 1989)
Hugh Laurie	...	Lieutenant The Honourable George Colthurst St. Barleigh (6 episodes, 1989)
Tim McInnerny	...	Captain Kevin Darling / ... (6 episodes, 1989)

Series Directed by
Richard Boden		(6 episodes, 1989)

Series Writing credits
Richard Curtis		(6 episodes, 1989)
Ben Elton		(6 episodes, 1989)

Series Produced by
John Lloyd	....	producer (6 episodes, 1989)

Series Film Editing by
Chris Wadsworth		(6 episodes, 1989)

Series Production Design by
Chris Hull		(6 episodes, 1989)

Series Costume Design by
Annie Hardinge		(6 episodes, 1989)

Series Makeup Department
Caroline Noble	....	makeup designer (6 episodes, 1989)

Series Production Management
Duncan Cooper	....	production manager (6 episodes, 1989)

Series Art Department
Jayne Libotte	....	props buyer (6 episodes, 1989)
Graham McCallum	....	graphic designer (4 episodes, 1989)

Series Sound Department
Martin Deane	....	sound supervisor (6 episodes, 1989)
Nick Way	....	deputy sound supervisor (6 episodes, 1989)

Series Visual Effects by
Roger Turner	....	visual effects (6 episodes, 1989)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
John Hoare	....	camera supervisor (6 episodes, 1989)
Henry Barber	....	lighting director (5 episodes, 1989)

Series Editorial Department
Carol Abbott	....	vision mixer (6 episodes, 1989)

Series Music Department
Howard Goodall	....	composer: title music / music arranger: title music (6 episodes, 1989)
The Band of the 3rd Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment {The Pompadours}	....	title music played by (5 episodes, 1989)
Tim Parkinson	....	bandmaster (5 episodes, 1989)

Series Other crew
J. Kennedy	....	assistant floor manager (6 episodes, 1989)
Vanessa Sharples	....	production assistant (6 episodes, 1989)
Mike Chislett	....	technical coordinator (5 episodes, 1989)
Mark Shelley	....	weapons armorer (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Distributors

• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (original airing)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

30 min (6 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:PG | Singapore:PG | Portugal:M/6 | Ireland:15 | UK:15

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

The "Blackadder" theme, and the series music was performed by the band of the Third Batallion, the Royal Anglian Regiment. At the time they were a full time infantry battalion but now are a part time volunteer T.A. battalion.

Quotes:

Lieutenant George:But this is brave, splendid and noble...
[Blackadder doesn't react - there's a long pause]
Lieutenant George:...Sir
Captain Blackadder:Yes, Lieutenant.
Lieutenant George:I'm scared, sir
Private Baldrick:I'm scared too, sir
Lieutenant George:I'm the last of the tiddly-winking leapfroggers from the golden summer of 1914. I don't want to die... I'm really not over keen on dying at all, sir.
Captain Blackadder:How are you feeling, Darling?
Captain Darling:Ahm- not all that good, Blackadder. Rather hoped I'd get through the whole show, go back to work at Pratt and Sons, keep wicket for the Croydon Gentlemen, marry Doris. Made a note in my diary on the way here. Simply says: "Bugger".
Captain Blackadder:Well, quite.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in "You Cannot Be Serious: War (#1.1)" (1999)

Soundtrack:

British Grenadier

My favourite of the four

I firmly believe that the Blackadder series simply improved over time, and as such I really don't have much to say except that this is a fabulously crafted piece of comedy.

Ben Elton and Richard Curtis are two extremely talented writers - who else could sculpt the line, "We're in the stickiest situation since Sticky the stick insect got stuck on a sticky bun."??

The return of the usual actors - Rowan Atkinson (who else?!), Tim McInnerny, Hugh Laurie, Tony Robinson and Stephen Fry - provides for excellent chemistry between the cast members and also displayed yet another way in which each can display their acting talents, yet at the same time drop hints as to their previous roles. Let's face it, Blackadder will always be scheming, and Baldrick will keep passing on those stupidity genes.

I have two favourite aspects: firstly, the relationship between Capt. Darling and Blackadder and their insidious but uncontrollable hatred of one another. Secondly, the ending. I won't spoil it, but if you haven't seen the series, don't expect the norm at all. A very good way to end, but also somehow reflective.

If you're going to watch any Blackadder series, watch this one!