Stuck in the middle of World War I, Captain Edmund Blackadder does his best to escape the banality of the war.
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Awards:
- 3 wins.
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Series Cast verified as complete
| Rowan Atkinson | ... |
Captain Edmund Blackadder
(6 episodes, 1989)
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| Tony Robinson | ... |
Private S Baldrick
(6 episodes, 1989)
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| Stephen Fry | ... |
General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett
(6 episodes, 1989)
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| Hugh Laurie | ... |
Lieutenant The Honourable George Colthurst St. Barleigh
(6 episodes, 1989)
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| Tim McInnerny | ... |
Captain Kevin Darling
(6 episodes, 1989)
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| Gabrielle Glaister | ... |
Driver Parkhurst
(2 episodes, 1989)
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| Miranda Richardson | ... |
Nurse Mary
(1 episode, 1989)
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| Rik Mayall | ... |
Squadron Commander Lord Flasheart
(1 episode, 1989)
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| Geoffrey Palmer | ... |
Field Marshal Haig
(1 episode, 1989)
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| Jeremy Hardy | ... |
Corporal Perkins
(1 episode, 1989)
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| Adrian Edmondson | ... |
Baron von Richthoven
(1 episode, 1989)
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| Stephen Frost | ... |
Corporal Jones
(1 episode, 1989)
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Bill Wallis | ... |
Brigadier Smith
(1 episode, 1989)
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Hugo Blick | ... |
Lieutenant von Gerhardt
(1 episode, 1989)
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| Lee Cornes | ... |
Private Fraser
(1 episode, 1989)
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Paul Mark Elliott | ... |
Private Robinson
(1 episode, 1989)
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| Jeremy Gittins | ... |
Private Tipplewick
(1 episode, 1989)
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Russell Brook | ... |
British Solider
(uncredited)
(1 episode, 1989)
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See full cast and crew »
Production Companies
Distributors
- British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (1989) (United Kingdom) (tv)
- ARTE (1995) (France) (tv) (French subtitles)
- Adult Swim (2010) (United States) (tv)
- ETV 2 (2020) (Estonia) (tv)
- Video Audio Project (VAP) (1999) (Japan) (VHS)
Special Effects
Other Companies
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
It is 1917, and lunatic General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett is leading the British troops at the front lines against the Germans, while everyone waits for Field Marshall Haig's big push. There are various emotions throughout the camp about it. For Captain Kevin Darling, Melchett's bull-dog-like right-hand man, it makes no difference, as it appears he will be safe and sound with the general when the big push occurs. For Lieutenant George Colhurst Saint Barleigh, he is overly excited at thrashing the Germans. For Private S. (probably for Sod-Off) Baldrick, it's a terrifying experience he is not looking forward to. For Captain Edmund Blackadder, however, it's something he's too cowardly to face. Self-centered, arrogant, and sarcastic, Blackadder is always constantly searching for a way out of this silly war, and will try various, often crazy, variations on escape, all of which will take a turn he never expected. Sharing a dugout with George and Baldrick, his main obstacle for escape is Darling, who will ensure everyone is present for the big push. Written by Bloggers! |
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | Tim McInnerny's character was originally named Captain Cartwright. Stephen Fry had the idea to change it to Darling (named after a boy at his school) and created a running gag which is frequently used throughout the series. See more » |
| Goofs | Throughout the series, Blackadder and George, both front-line officers in the trenches, are show with their rank insignia displayed on their cuffs, whereas Melchett and Darling, staff officers, are shown with their rank insignia on their shoulders. In reality, this would have been reversed: Cuff insignia was the standard, but front-line officers were allowed to wear theirs on their shoulders to make them less conspicuous to snipers. Shoulder insignia eventually became an army-wide personal option in 1917, and made permanent in 1920 when the cuff insignia was abolished completely. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in The Story of Bean (1997). See more » |
| Soundtracks | British Grenadier See more » |
| Crazy Credits | In the opening credits, Captains Blackadder and George lead a battalion in parade past General Melchett and Captain Darling (with Private Baldrick in the marching band playing a triangle). The closing credits are a grainy 1920s newsreel of the same battalion heading into battle, with Melchett and Darling walking casually but quickly in the other direction... See more » |
| 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. [Outside: "Stand to, stand to, fix bayonets"] Captain Blackadder: Come on, come on, let's move. [at the door, Blackadder turns to George] Captain Blackadder: Don't forget your stick Lieutenant Lieutenant George: Rather, sir. Wouldn't want to face a machine gun without this. [they walk into the misty trench, waiting for the off - suddenly there is silence - the machine guns stop] Captain Darling: I say, listen - our guns have stopped. Lieutenant George: You don't think... Private Baldrick: Perhaps the war's over. Perhaps it's peace. Captain Darling: Thank God. We lived through it. The Great War, 1914 to 1917. Captain Darling, Private Baldrick, Lieutenant George: Hip hip hooray! Captain Blackadder: I'm afraid not. The guns have stopped because we are about to attack. Not even our generals are mad enough to shell their own men. They feel it's more sporting to let the Germans do it. Lieutenant George: So, we are, in fact, going over. This is, as they say, it? Captain Blackadder: Yes, unless I can think of something very quickly. [a voice shouts 'Company, one pace forward.' They all step forward] Private Baldrick: There's a nasty splinter on that ladder, sir. A bloke could hurt himself on that. [another call: "Stand ready" - they put their hands on the ladders ready to climb] Private Baldrick: I have a plan, sir. Captain Blackadder: Really Baldrick? A cunning and subtle one? Private Baldrick: Yes, sir. Captain Blackadder: As cunning as a fox who's just been appointed Professor of Cunning at Oxford University? Private Baldrick: Yes, sir. [another call: "On the signal, Company will advance"] Captain Blackadder: Well, I'm afraid it's too late. Whatever it was, I'm sure it was better than my plan to get out of here by pretending to be mad. I mean, who would have noticed another madman round here? [a whistle blows he looks at Baldrick] Captain Blackadder: Good luck, everyone. [Blackadder blows his whistle, there is a roar of voices as everyone leaps up the ladders, meeting the machine gun fire] See more » |