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Blackadder

Original title: The Black Adder
  • TV Series
  • 1982–19831982–1983
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 3h 15m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
38K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,312
192
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Rowan Atkinson and Tony Robinson in The Black Adder (1982)
Black Adder
Play trailer1:14
1 Video
29 Photos
  • Comedy
In the Middle Ages, Prince Edmund the Black Adder constantly schemes and endeavors to seize the crown from his father and brother.In the Middle Ages, Prince Edmund the Black Adder constantly schemes and endeavors to seize the crown from his father and brother.In the Middle Ages, Prince Edmund the Black Adder constantly schemes and endeavors to seize the crown from his father and brother.
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
38K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,312
192
  • Creator
    • Richard Curtis
  • Stars
    • Rowan Atkinson
    • Brian Blessed
    • Elspet Gray
Top credits
  • Creator
    • Richard Curtis
  • Stars
    • Rowan Atkinson
    • Brian Blessed
    • Elspet Gray
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 75User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Episodes7

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated
    1 Season

    Videos1

    Black Adder
    Trailer 1:14
    Black Adder

    Photos29

    Rowan Atkinson and Tony Robinson in The Black Adder (1982)
    Rowan Atkinson, Tim McInnerny, and Tony Robinson in The Black Adder (1982)
    Brian Blessed and Robert East in The Black Adder (1982)
    Rowan Atkinson in The Black Adder (1982)
    Rowan Atkinson in The Black Adder (1982)
    Rowan Atkinson in The Black Adder (1982)
    The Black Adder (1982)
    Rowan Atkinson in The Black Adder (1982)
    Rowan Atkinson and Tony Robinson in The Black Adder (1982)
    Rowan Atkinson and Tony Robinson in The Black Adder (1982)
    Rowan Atkinson in The Black Adder (1982)
    Rowan Atkinson in The Black Adder (1982)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Rowan Atkinson
    Rowan Atkinson
    • Edmund, Duke of Edinburghas Edmund, Duke of Edinburgh…
    7 episodes7 eps • 1983–2003
    Brian Blessed
    Brian Blessed
    • King Richard IVas King Richard IV…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1983
    Elspet Gray
    Elspet Gray
    • The Queenas The Queen…
    7 episodes7 eps • 1983–2003
    Tim McInnerny
    Tim McInnerny
    • Percyas Percy…
    7 episodes7 eps • 1983–2003
    Patrick Allen
    Patrick Allen
    • Narratoras Narrator…
    7 episodes7 eps • 1983–2003
    Tony Robinson
    Tony Robinson
    • Baldrickas Baldrick…
    6 episodes6 eps • 1983
    Robert East
    Robert East
    • Harry, Prince of Walesas Harry, Prince of Wales
    6 episodes6 eps • 1983
    Bert Parnaby
    • Cain, A Blind Beggaras Cain, A Blind Beggar…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1983
    Roy Evans
    • Abel, A Blind Beggaras Abel, A Blind Beggar…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1983
    David Nunn
    • Messengeras Messenger…
    4 episodes4 eps • 1983
    Perry Benson
    • Daft Ned, A Peasantas Daft Ned, A Peasant…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1983
    Alex Norton
    Alex Norton
    • McAngusas McAngus…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1983–2003
    Forbes Collins
    • Dopey Jack, A Peasantas Dopey Jack, A Peasant…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1983
    Barbara Miller
    • Jane Firkettleas Jane Firkettle…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1983
    Howard Lew Lewis
    • Mr. Applebottomas Mr. Applebottom…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1983
    Natasha King
    • Princess Leia of Hungaryas Princess Leia of Hungary
    2 episodes2 eps • 1983
    Stephen Frost
    Stephen Frost
    • Soft, A Guardas Soft, A Guard
    2 episodes2 eps • 1983
    Peter Cook
    Peter Cook
    • Richard IIIas Richard III
    1 episode1 ep • 1983
    • Creator
      • Richard Curtis
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    More like this

    Blackadder II
    8.6
    Blackadder II
    Blackadder the Third
    8.6
    Blackadder the Third
    Blackadder Goes Forth
    8.8
    Blackadder Goes Forth
    Blackadder Back & Forth
    7.6
    Blackadder Back & Forth
    Blackadder's Christmas Carol
    7.9
    Blackadder's Christmas Carol
    Blackadder: The Cavalier Years
    7.9
    Blackadder: The Cavalier Years
    Blackadder Rides Again
    7.9
    Blackadder Rides Again
    Fawlty Towers
    8.8
    Fawlty Towers
    The Young Ones
    8.2
    The Young Ones
    A Bit of Fry and Laurie
    8.3
    A Bit of Fry and Laurie
    Father Ted
    8.7
    Father Ted
    Bottom
    8.3
    Bottom

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Blackadder is based on Edmund, the antagonist of William Shakespeare's play "King Lear": a scheming illegitimate son of a king who plots to take the crown for himself.
    • Goofs
      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. In the 1480s, the King of England had no jurisdiction over Scotland, where Edinburgh is. Giving Edmund an anachronistic, geographically useless title is a joke, as explained in the DVD special features.
    • 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, Black Adder, with many a cunning plan / Black Adder, Black Adder, you horrid little man.

    • Crazy credits
      There is a statement in the closing credits: "With additional dialogue by William Shakespeare."
    • Connections
      Featured in The Story of Bean (1997)

    User reviews75

    Review
    Top review
    15 years of saying pardon.
    The best of the lot. Very funny script, brilliant cast, superbly acted. I prefer Edmund as this type of meek, slimy character than in later series. Also Balders is better suited as intelligent than stupid, that character is already brilliantly done by Percy.

    Each episode has a uniquely funny story. The Archbishop one where Baldrick makes holy artifacts is extremely funny. Especially as Percy thinks he bought a real artifact only to discover that it's one of Baldricks.

    He marries an 8 year old princess in another episode. Very original humour, and the little princess herself is extremely funny. The way she laughs at the Vicar is hilarious.

    Witchsmeller Persuivant, another great episode, possibly the best but its difficult to distinguish which is the best as they are all so good. Frank Finlay is so believable as the witch, his voice, expressions, the way he cross examines Edmund in court and entraps him. Pure genius.

    The last one is fantastic. I love the way he finally gets revenge on his dad by forming an army of the 6 most evil men in England. All with uniquely evil attributes.

    I don't think 6 episodes is enough for this first series. There is so much comedy there to fill 12 episodes at least. Still the second and third series, although inferior did not disappoint. The fourth however did.

    Will always remain as one of the great British classics.
    helpful•32
    13
    • varsania
    • Jan 26, 2004

    FAQ1

    • Why is Prince Edmund not named Edmund Blackadder?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 15, 1983 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • Australia
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Black Adder
    • Filming locations
      • Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • 7 Network
      • BBC Worldwide
      • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      3 hours 15 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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