"Blackadder Goes Forth" (1989)TV series

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

28 September 1989 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | 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:

War | Cunning Plan | 1910s | Historical | WWI

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Rowan Atkinson	...	Captain Edmund Blackadder (6 episodes, 1989)
Tony Robinson	...	Private S. 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 Kevin Darling (6 episodes, 1989)

Runtime:

30 min (6 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Ireland:15 | UK: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:

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.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Comic Relief Does University Challenge (2003) (TV)

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!