"The Black Adder" (1983) TV series

Seasons:

1 | unknown

Release Date:

15 June 1983 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | History

Tagline:

The most gripping sitcom since 1380.

Plot:

Prince Edmund, a.k.a. the Black Adder, constantly schemes to take the crown from his father and brother with the help of Lord Percy and Baldrick.

Plot Keywords:

Black Adder | England | King | Battle | Cunning Plan

Cast

Rowan Atkinson	...	Edmund, Duke of Edinburgh / ... (7 episodes, 1982-1983)
Elspet Gray	...	The Queen / ... (7 episodes, 1982-1983)
Tim McInnerny	...	Percy / ... (7 episodes, 1982-1983)
Patrick Allen	...	Narrator / ... (7 episodes, 1982-1983)
Robert East	...	Harry, Prince of Wales (6 episodes, 1983)
Brian Blessed	...	King Richard IV / ... (6 episodes, 1983)
Tony Robinson	...	Baldrick / ... (6 episodes, 1983)
Bert Parnaby	...	Cain, A Blind Beggar / ... (3 episodes, 1983)
Roy Evans	...	Abel, A Blind Beggar / ... (3 episodes, 1983)
David Nunn	...	Messenger / ... (3 episodes, 1983)
Perry Benson	...	Daft Ned, A Peasant / ... (3 episodes, 1983)

Also Known As:

Blackadder

Runtime:

35 min (6 episodes)

Country:

UK | Australia

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

UK:15 | Australia:M | Singapore:PG | Iceland:12

Filming Locations:

Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland, England, UK

Company:

7 Network

Trivia:

Much of this series was shot on film and on location in the north of England, which resulted in a cost considered exorbitant at the time for a BBC comedy series. As a result it was not renewed for a second series. However, in 1984 the team was able to convince BBC One (with new controller Michael Grade) to produce a second series with the understanding that costs would have to be cut dramatically (for example "Blackadder II" (1986) being shot entirely in a studio on videotape, except for a small amount of location filming used for the ending credits).

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...

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Funny Blokes of British Comedy (2005) (TV)

A good start to the Blackadder legacy, but not the best.

I've always liked epic things, be they on TV, film or even in computer games, and this is really a cross between "Lord of the Rings" and "Monty Python". Though the show's epic settings aren't there for humour - just to bleed the BBC dry of money - they really do make this the best series to look at visually, and there are some good special effects on show (Richard III's head flying off its body is pretty well done). But this is meant to be COMEDY - and unfortunately, this is the least funny series, if I must admit. Episode 1 "The Foretelling" ain't too great, but Episode 6 "The Black Seal" is brilliant - I hugely enjoyed Edmund's attempts to take over the throne. There is no doubt at all that the series gets better as each episode passes. Get a load of the epic settings while you can - the second series is going to be much cheaper, but it will also be funnier as well. This first series is a good start, and should be watched because it is unique to all the other Blackadder series, but if you aren't used to seeing Blackadder stupid, Baldrick smart, and no Stephen Fry or Hugh Laurie in the cast, you would be best off watching this series first.

The Black Adder is very funny in parts, but all things get better as they go along, and whereas we do have some good episodes in this first series, the following three series are funnier and sharper. On the whole - good. 8/10