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From Amazon.co.uk
The final Blackadder series, which first appeared in 1990, was the most highly evolved of all of the Richard Curtis/Ben Elton-scripted excursions. Having contrived to attain the Crown at the end of the third series, Rowan Atkinson's Edmund Blackadder is now reduced to a mere Captaincy in the trenches during World War I, with these episodes finding him shooting messenger pigeons, grumbling about Charlie Chaplin and unscrupulously evading his patriotic duty to pile over the top and be slaughtered pointlessly. Hugh Laurie plays the upper class silly arse to the hilt while Baldrick, who has grown progressively more stupid throughout the four series, can barely muster the intelligence to move from the spot. Blackadder Goes Forth stoutly refused to the end to abandon its relish for broad, puerile scatological puns: "Captain Darling will pump you thoroughly in the debriefing room," growls Stephen Fry's General Melchett. However, Blackadder's cynicism is laced with genuine despair at the recent madness of World War I. The closing moments of the final episode, as Blackadder and co. finally receive their orders, are handled with sober poignancy and became a frequent fixture in Remembrance Day TV scheduling. --David Stubbs
Product Description
All six episodes from the fourth series of the popular comedy show. In 'Captain Cook', Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) puts himself forward as the Official War Artist, while General Haig reveals plans to move his drinks cabinet six inches closer to Berlin. In 'Corporal Punishment' Blackadder eats the messenger pigeon which has just arrived with details of Operation Insanity. In 'Major Star' Baldrick (Tony Robinson) does his controversial Charlie Chaplin impression. In 'Private Plane' our heroes meet Lord Flasheart (Rik Mayall) and Baron von Richthoven (Adrian Edmondson). In 'General Hospital' Blackadder is given orders to find a spy in hospital and sees his chance to spend three weeks in bed. And finally, in 'Goodbyeee', the chaps prepare for the final big push.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
This is the last and greatest series of a brilliant British comedy. Set in the trenches of World War One, it features everything that made the first three seasons so great, but refines things to a new level of hilarity.
Nearly all the regular actors from earlier seasons crop up. Besides the obvious - Blackadder (now a Captain), and Baldrick (a private) - Melchett reappears as a General, and Tim McInnery who played Percy in the second series crops up as the obnoxious Captain Darling. Hugh Laurie reprises his role as the dimwitted George (now a Lieutenant) and is even funnier than in series three. Miranda Richardson plays a nurse, and even Rik Mayall makes a hilarious comeback as conceited fighter ace Lord Flashheart (with Adrian Edmundson playing his rival the Red Baron).
All the episodes are good, with standouts being 'Corporal Punishment', where Blackadder is court-martialled for shooting General Melchett's favourite pidgeon; 'Major Star', where George is convinced to go drag as the 'leading lady' in a variety show, which presents problems when the General develops a crush on him/her; and Private Plane, where the aforementioned Rik Mayall appears as the outrageous Lord Flashheart.
The final episode 'Goodbyeee' goes beyond comedy in its ending, giving a poignant reminder of the utter waste of World War One, a fratricidal conflict that should never have happened. Blackadder's character has developed to the point that, even though he is a selfish prick, we feel genuinely sorry for him when he is ordered 'over the top' by the bureaucrats in charge of the war.
'Blackadder Goes Forth' is the perfect ending to a classic comedy, which far from making fun of British and European history, actually pays tribute to it, and in a most entertaining way.
Nearly all the regular actors from earlier seasons crop up. Besides the obvious - Blackadder (now a Captain), and Baldrick (a private) - Melchett reappears as a General, and Tim McInnery who played Percy in the second series crops up as the obnoxious Captain Darling. Hugh Laurie reprises his role as the dimwitted George (now a Lieutenant) and is even funnier than in series three. Miranda Richardson plays a nurse, and even Rik Mayall makes a hilarious comeback as conceited fighter ace Lord Flashheart (with Adrian Edmundson playing his rival the Red Baron).
All the episodes are good, with standouts being 'Corporal Punishment', where Blackadder is court-martialled for shooting General Melchett's favourite pidgeon; 'Major Star', where George is convinced to go drag as the 'leading lady' in a variety show, which presents problems when the General develops a crush on him/her; and Private Plane, where the aforementioned Rik Mayall appears as the outrageous Lord Flashheart.
The final episode 'Goodbyeee' goes beyond comedy in its ending, giving a poignant reminder of the utter waste of World War One, a fratricidal conflict that should never have happened. Blackadder's character has developed to the point that, even though he is a selfish prick, we feel genuinely sorry for him when he is ordered 'over the top' by the bureaucrats in charge of the war.
'Blackadder Goes Forth' is the perfect ending to a classic comedy, which far from making fun of British and European history, actually pays tribute to it, and in a most entertaining way.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Blackadder Goes Forth is absolutely brilliant and a comedy series you must add to your collection. Rowan Atkinson is back as Blackadder but this time as a Captain in the British army during the Great War. The year is 1917 and Blackadder has been on the frontline for three years and is determined to survive and get home. Hugh Laurie is brilliant in this series as young naive Lieutenant George, Tony Robinson is great as Private Baldrick and Tim McInnery is fantastic in his role as Captain Kevin Darling. Stephen Fry steals the show as General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmany Melchett-a mad optimistic General convinced that a one final big push will win the war. This series is great and pokes fun at the insanity of the Great War. Blackadder is determined to get out of the trenches and Melchett and Darling are determined to keep him there. Like the third series there are some very funny cameos by Rik Mayall, Ade Edmondson, Gabriel Glaister and many other fine comic actors.
This series is very very funny and of course the last episode is great but deeply poignant and moving.
A comedy series to love and cherish.
Baaaa!!!
5 stars
This series is very very funny and of course the last episode is great but deeply poignant and moving.
A comedy series to love and cherish.
Baaaa!!!
5 stars
34 of 38 people found the following review helpful
By Paul Johnson
Format:DVD
For me, this is the best of all the Blackadder series. The tone of this series seems to be different to all the others and your opinions of the characters is different accordingly.
Blackadder is for the most part a snide and somewhat cruel and unpleasant character, but rather than dislike him for the way he treats his couterparts, in Goes Forth, you just feel for him, placed in this desperate situation and trying anything he can think of to get out of it. Who would not, given the circumstances.
Making a comedy out of the tragic events of WW1 shows great skill and the writers manage it tremendously. They are helped by an incredibly good cast - there really are no weak links. For me, Stephen Fry playing the dimwitted General Meltchett is the standout, though an excellent cameo in one episode by Rik Mayall as flying ace Lord Flashart runs him close.
What is truely brilliant is the end. After all his attempts to escape, Blackadder is sent over the top, we presume to his doom, though we are never shown for definate, as the screen fades to show the battlefield in modern times. This could have been handled so badly, but it was in fact, perfect.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
great
bought this for my dad for xmas he was very happy with it and the quality of the dvd is perfect
Published 6 days ago by Michelle senior
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
Even better than I remember! Whole family have enjoyed watching this dvd, it has even helped our teenage son with his GCSE History! Read more
Published 12 days ago by Paula
5.0 out of 5 stars
So Funny, Yet Thought Provoking
A true comedy classic, one moment you're crying with laughter then almost crying at the horror of the subject; why can't they make TV like this anymore....
Published 21 days ago by John Chadwick
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic!
You don't need to watch series 1, 2 or 3 to enjoy this, but you probably should or you'll have missed out on the wonderful antics of the Blackadder cast over the years. Read more
Published 2 months ago by RobDob
5.0 out of 5 stars
brilliant
i would definitely recomend it to everyone who likes blackadder, really funny, all of the blackadder goes forth series on one dvd
Published 3 months ago by jonbro
5.0 out of 5 stars
Already a classic
I never enjoyed the Blackadder series until this series came out. All the usual characters are here, albeit in different guises and it works superbly. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mr.D
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really good DVD
I have most of the Black Adder DVDs and that one was the only one missing from that set..Great fun to watch.
Published 3 months ago by Christine Carrick
4.0 out of 5 stars
gd
i enojoyed it. handy product- i've not used this specifically as it was a gift so i cannot rate the content really. but no complaints
Published 4 months ago by Andy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bladder
This is timeless comedy at it's best, and also has some very truthful facts about the idiots in charge who start these stupid wars.
Published 4 months ago by Andrew Lockwood
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent service
received a good service and the quality of purchase was excellent. I would use this buyer again in the future
Published 5 months ago by franny
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