"Dark Ages" (1999) TV series

Director:

Steve Bendelack

Writer:

Rob Grant (writer)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

20 December 1999 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

People in England are worried about the coming millennium. The year is A.D. 999.

Plot Keywords:

Millennium | 10th Century | Riot | Dark Ages | Saxon

Cast

Phill Jupitus	...	Gudrun (5 episodes, 1999)
Alistair McGowan	...	Redwald (5 episodes, 1999)
Pauline McLynn	...	Agnes (5 episodes, 1999)
Dave Lamb	...	Badsmith (5 episodes, 1999)
Paul Putner	...	Bigwart (5 episodes, 1999)
Laurence Howarth	...	Cedric (5 episodes, 1999)
Sheridan Smith	...	Matilda (5 episodes, 1999)
Jason Byrne	...	Arland (4 episodes, 1999)
Mike Hayley	...	Byrnoth (3 episodes, 1999)

Runtime:

30 min (5 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Company:

Granada Television

Quotes:

Byrnoth: I'll make this brief. God knows you've got little enough time left on the planet. At cock's crow, we're off to fight the Vikings. Why? Because this little island is SICK of being invaded by Europeans! We've had the Romans, the Saxons, and now the Danes. For God's sake, who's next? The bloody Normans?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Comic Relief Presents: Have I Got Buzzcocks All Over (2001) (TV)

This was written by Rob Grant ?!?!?!?!

Given that Rob Grant wrote "Red Dwarf" one of the best comedies ever from the BBC that went into series after series "Dark Ages" is a pretty poor offering.

Sent in 999AD around a motley crew of Saxons it is all largely unfunny - the elements are OK, but a terrible script with unfunny characters drive this into the ground.

There are only so many jokes about 1999 and current events that can be translated to the Dark Ages. It is hard to say why this fails - partly because Phil Jupiter and Alastair McGowan are both just not good enough actors to carry this? It is all overacted, constantly. I came across this on DVD and gave it a shot - have to be honest and say it is not great. At all. In the least. Nada.