"Blackadder Goes Forth" (1989) TV series

User Rating:

9.2/10   

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

28 September 1989 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | History | War

Plot:

In this final series, Blackadder is a World War I army captain trying to survive at the front lines at the Western Front.

Plot Keywords:

Officer | Army Life | Sexual Innuendo | Cult Favorite | Cross Dressing

Awards:

3 wins

Cast

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

Runtime:

30 min (6 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

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

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Trivia:

In-joke: In "General Hospital", General Melchett ('Stephen Fry') tells Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) that "Oxford is a right dump". Like Melchett, Fry went to Cambridge University while Atkinson went to Oxford.

Quotes:

[repeated line]
Private Baldrick: I have a cunning plan.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mr. Bean: Merry Christmas Mr. Bean (#1.7)" (1992)

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!