|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
The classic first series of BlackAdder was slightly different to its successors--Ben Elton was not yet part of the writing team, and Shakespearean parody featured prominently. Rowan Atkinson was at his best as a would-be Machiavellian medieval intriguer while Brian Blessed plays his gloriously over the top blustering militarist father.
The episodes collected here are: "The Foretelling", in which Richard III, played by Peter Cook in a brilliant parody of Olivier, wins Bosworth only to get in an unseemly argument about a horse; "Born to be King" in which Edmund, lumbered with providing bearded ladies, morris dancers and eunuchs for a festival, discovers some indiscreet love letters; "The Archbishop" in which after his father has the Archbishop of Canterbury killed, Edmund starts his intrigues again; "The Queen of Spain's Beard" in which Blackadder's father's international schemes call for Edmund to make a dynastic marriage to Miriam Margolyes as the Infanta of Spain, and Jim Broadbent plays a peculiarly irritating interpreter; "Witchsmeller Pursuivant" in which Edmund falls foul of the demonic witchsmeller, played with more gusto than is quite credible by Frank Finlay; and "The Black Seal", wherein Edmund assembles a group of villains as his personal retinue (Rik Mayall plays a mad prisoner).
The episodes collected here are: "The Foretelling", in which Richard III, played by Peter Cook in a brilliant parody of Olivier, wins Bosworth only to get in an unseemly argument about a horse; "Born to be King" in which Edmund, lumbered with providing bearded ladies, morris dancers and eunuchs for a festival, discovers some indiscreet love letters; "The Archbishop" in which after his father has the Archbishop of Canterbury killed, Edmund starts his intrigues again; "The Queen of Spain's Beard" in which Blackadder's father's international schemes call for Edmund to make a dynastic marriage to Miriam Margolyes as the Infanta of Spain, and Jim Broadbent plays a peculiarly irritating interpreter; "Witchsmeller Pursuivant" in which Edmund falls foul of the demonic witchsmeller, played with more gusto than is quite credible by Frank Finlay; and "The Black Seal", wherein Edmund assembles a group of villains as his personal retinue (Rik Mayall plays a mad prisoner).
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The original series of The Blackadder is one of my favourite comedies ever made, ok it may be completely different from the other Blackadders and in some respects it maybe isn't as funny as the later series, but as a stand alone sitcom this is brilliant.
The series gives an alternative take on history, with each episode following on from the other. The character of Blackadder is far sillier than his future descendants with Rowan Atkinson's skill for physical comedy used throughout, but his aim of wanting to outsmart the 'rulers' and 'commanders' is the same, and as always Baldrick, albeit smarter, is right behind along with the fabulous Lord Percy. Rowan Atkinson's skill for physical comedy is used very well.
Another noticable difference between this and the later series is the overall quality of the production. THe Blackadder was film entirely on location and this gives the comedy a great edge allowing it to set up some extravagant set pieces and plots within each episode. The supporting cast for each episode is always in double figures and you'll see many a familiar faces that crop up in the full Blackadder series over the years including Rik Mayal, Marim Margoyles and Jim Broadbent.
Give this series a go, and if you watch it with an open mind you'll absolutely love it.
The series gives an alternative take on history, with each episode following on from the other. The character of Blackadder is far sillier than his future descendants with Rowan Atkinson's skill for physical comedy used throughout, but his aim of wanting to outsmart the 'rulers' and 'commanders' is the same, and as always Baldrick, albeit smarter, is right behind along with the fabulous Lord Percy. Rowan Atkinson's skill for physical comedy is used very well.
Another noticable difference between this and the later series is the overall quality of the production. THe Blackadder was film entirely on location and this gives the comedy a great edge allowing it to set up some extravagant set pieces and plots within each episode. The supporting cast for each episode is always in double figures and you'll see many a familiar faces that crop up in the full Blackadder series over the years including Rik Mayal, Marim Margoyles and Jim Broadbent.
Give this series a go, and if you watch it with an open mind you'll absolutely love it.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
The slating that the first series received in the press is far from justified, although the series does fall short of the future incarnations. The style is more similar to Monty Python than vintage Blackadder. The highlights are 'The Archbishop' and 'The Spanish Infanta's Beard' these are both very funny and have cleverer storylines than the others in the first series.
Brian Blessed as the King is extremely good, albeit repetitive, whilst Rowan Atkinson, excepting the awful haircut, is his normal excellent self. The series pales in comparison to the others, but it is still better than many other comedy series. This should not be your introduction to Blackadder (try Blackadder II), but if you enjoy the others - and you will- it is essential viewing.
Brian Blessed as the King is extremely good, albeit repetitive, whilst Rowan Atkinson, excepting the awful haircut, is his normal excellent self. The series pales in comparison to the others, but it is still better than many other comedy series. This should not be your introduction to Blackadder (try Blackadder II), but if you enjoy the others - and you will- it is essential viewing.
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Whilst generally described as the worst of the four series of Blackadder this series provides some very good episodes, especially the one when Blackadder becomes Arch Bishop of Canterbury. With Brian Blessed playing the King (Blackadder's father) and numberous other well known actors this series is still genious and worth watching.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Very funny
The scipt is brilliant and it is a witty and clever series, just adored it
Published on 11 Oct 2009 by Linda E. Hillman
Excellent one liners, but lacks that Blackadder punch
This is a taster of what one should expect from Blackadder and is a good introduction. It is witty and funny, as Blackadder (Atkinson) lends a hand with the script. Read more
Published on 31 Aug 2000 by lou@lliddicott.freeserve.co.uk
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Film & TV > Television > Comedy
- Film & TV > Television > TV Series > Black Adder
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
