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Amazon.co.uk Review
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
Amazon.co.uk Review
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
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
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.
34 of 38 people found the following review helpful
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.
21 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
This is probably the best Blackadder series of the lot. The comedy shows the unfortunate truth of the horror of war, with razor sharp wit and brilliant one-liners. The final scene is probably one of the most emotional images of war. Blackadder is his ususal sarcastic witty self, while Baldrick seems even more stupid, "It's better than sitting around here on our elbows!" Hugh Laurie plays Lieutenant George brilliantly, and Stephen Fry makes an ideal General whose ideas on warfare are almost too close to the truth. Also an excellent cameo performance by Rik Mayall as Lord Flasheart the ace pilot in 'Private Plane'. All in all a brilliant series that should not be misssed.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
"Well bugger me with a fishfork"
Blackadder goes forth is six episodes of British comedy that deserves to be hailed as perfection. So eloquent in its writing from Ben Elton and Richard Curtis that there are no... Read more
Published 2 months ago by ethwards89
Great extinct uk comedy
Fantastic show , especially the fourth series . The sets , the sarcasm and the acting is superb !!Go forth and buy !!
Published 3 months ago by davidinator
ideal pressie
Bought as a gift for 17 year old son's Christmas stocking - on request - received promptly - exactly as described. Son has thoroughly enjoyed watching it - what more can I say!!?
Published 4 months ago by Joan
Blackadder 4
My second favourite of the Blackadders. Genius to set it in the trenches of WWI - than which few places can be more horrifying and tragic. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Pandora Amos
dvd
i do like blackadder and rowan atkinson is very funny in it i do recomend u buy as a gift to anyone old or young
Published 7 months ago by vonnie
Black Adder 4
What a series and this was the last one(and the best)
Bargin price,delivered on time.Had been looking for this one for some time. Read more
Bargin price,delivered on time.Had been looking for this one for some time. Read more
Published 8 months ago by keef
An acquired taste but, once acquired ...
With so many reviews, without spoilers, it is difficult to add anything new, apart from my recommendation. Read more
Published 8 months ago by RR Waller
Blackadder - best ever "sitcom"
The Blackadder series was by far the finest ever modern situation comedy with writing of the highest standard. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mng Jones
blackadder at it's best
blackadder goes forth is one of my favorit's. I would give it 10 stars if I could.
The wordgames in the script is just brilliant, I absolutely love it.
The wordgames in the script is just brilliant, I absolutely love it.
Published 9 months ago by tiny
Saving the best 'til last
This final series of Blackadder brings together the best elements of series 2 and 3 to create one of the best series of any comedy ever. Read more
Published 14 months ago by S. Meadows
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