In the middle ages, Edmund, the Duke of Edinburgh, is a young man who will do just about anything to become King of England. This slimy schemer would be known by a name that would exist throughout all of time called "BlackAdder." From this moment onwards a legend was born, as it would go on to become one of the finest British sitcoms ever.
Rowan Atkinson makes his debut in the role that made him famous. Although, his personality is unlike the one he would be known for in the later series. Here Edmund is sniveling and cowardly (his neurotic nature reminds you of Atkinson's other comic creation,"Mr.Bean") instead of being the slick and sarcastic S.O.B. that he would become in the next installments. Also, we are introduced to his companions Percy and Baldrick (Tim McInnerny and Tony Robinson) for the first time. However, they are also very different as well. Percy comes across as rather normal and Baldrick is actually a clever and articulate fellow instead of being the moronic tramp that BlackAdder would always loathe and ridicule.
This first series is rough around the edges in general. The scripting can be can be inconsistent at times and the comedic timing can be rather off on several occasions too. Yet despite these flaws, there are some laughs to be found as well as historical satire. Brian Blessed steals every scene he is in. It was also made on a much higher budget than the later ones as you get both interior and exterior shots. Not mention that it has the most rousing opening and closing theme out of all them.
A nice enough start for the series but it would only get better from here
Rowan Atkinson makes his debut in the role that made him famous. Although, his personality is unlike the one he would be known for in the later series. Here Edmund is sniveling and cowardly (his neurotic nature reminds you of Atkinson's other comic creation,"Mr.Bean") instead of being the slick and sarcastic S.O.B. that he would become in the next installments. Also, we are introduced to his companions Percy and Baldrick (Tim McInnerny and Tony Robinson) for the first time. However, they are also very different as well. Percy comes across as rather normal and Baldrick is actually a clever and articulate fellow instead of being the moronic tramp that BlackAdder would always loathe and ridicule.
This first series is rough around the edges in general. The scripting can be can be inconsistent at times and the comedic timing can be rather off on several occasions too. Yet despite these flaws, there are some laughs to be found as well as historical satire. Brian Blessed steals every scene he is in. It was also made on a much higher budget than the later ones as you get both interior and exterior shots. Not mention that it has the most rousing opening and closing theme out of all them.
A nice enough start for the series but it would only get better from here