The history were taught at school was untrue; Richard III wasn't the last of the Plantagenet's; that honour truly goes to Richard IV; a king erased from history by the dastardly Tudors! This series shows us King Richard IV's reign by following his second son; the snivelling Edmund; Duke of Edinburgh and self-titled 'Black Adder'. We learn that it was actually Edmund who killed Richard III and accidentally helped the defeated Henry Tudor escape. Over the course of the series Edmund has to deal with the problems of the time; clashes between the church and the crown, an arranged marriage and an accusation of witchcraft to name but three. Along the way he is accompanied by dim-witted friend Lord Percy Percy and servant Baldrick.
This is often considered the weakest of the Blackadder series but I really enjoy it; perhaps because I watched it when it first aired and obviously had no idea how the character would develop in later years. This fictional history is packed with hilarious moments and a fine cast which includes Rowan Atkinson, Brian Blessed, Tony Robinson and Tim McInnerny. Rowan Atkinson is great as Edmund and Brian Blessed is hilariously over-the-top, in a way only he can be, as the King and Tony Robinson makes the role of Baldrick his own. Tim McInnerny is also fun as Percy; a roll surprisingly different to the type or roll he seems to get these days. The rest of the cast does a decent job too; mostly playing slightly less comic characters. Overall I'd say this classic comedy is well worth watching; preferably before watching the later series although that isn't essential.
This is often considered the weakest of the Blackadder series but I really enjoy it; perhaps because I watched it when it first aired and obviously had no idea how the character would develop in later years. This fictional history is packed with hilarious moments and a fine cast which includes Rowan Atkinson, Brian Blessed, Tony Robinson and Tim McInnerny. Rowan Atkinson is great as Edmund and Brian Blessed is hilariously over-the-top, in a way only he can be, as the King and Tony Robinson makes the role of Baldrick his own. Tim McInnerny is also fun as Percy; a roll surprisingly different to the type or roll he seems to get these days. The rest of the cast does a decent job too; mostly playing slightly less comic characters. Overall I'd say this classic comedy is well worth watching; preferably before watching the later series although that isn't essential.