In 2004 the BBC commissioned a poll to find Britain's best sitcom. Even discounting the more dubious offerings of recent years, British comedy provides rich pickings for such a poll including magnum opus like The Vicar of Dibley, Porridge, One Foot In The Grave, The Good Life, Dad's Army and the magnificent Fawlty Towers all of which reached the top 10. In the end the perhaps predictable winner was Only Fools & Horses. However I would argue that the comedy which came in second place is funnier, smarter and more enduring - please give it up for my favourite comedy of all time Blackadder!

The original Blackadder was written by Richard Curtis (also Vicar of Dibley, Four Weddings & A Funeral and Notting Hill) and Rowan Atkinson. The pair met at Oxford and worked together on a number of projects including Not The Nine O'Clock News, before creating Blackadder in 1983. The first series met with a mixed reception and, as it had been shot on location and was thus expensive, was destined to remain a one off. Thankfully a new series was commissioned in 1984 on the condition that costs were cut dramatically. Blackadder therefore became a studio-only production and Ben Elton replaced Atkinson on the writing side. Add arguably the best ensemble of comedy actors ever seen on TV and the rest, as they say, is history...

The Concept

The series follows Edmund Blackadder (Atkinson) in various different incarnations at important periods of British history. Each Blackadder is a distant relative of the previous one as is each Baldrick (Tony Robinson), Blackadder's dogsbody. Through history Blackadder's position in life fluctuates, but he is always forced to endure the presence of at least one dim-witted superior. His character throughout is sneering, sarcastic and selfish, concerned only with looking after his own interests whatever the circumstances. The brilliance is in the juxtaposition of the cynical Blackadder and the four primary time periods chosen (Medieval, Elizabethan, Georgian and World War I) which provides a searing but hysterical indictment of the follies of British history.

The Limited Edition DVD

This Limited Edition DVD, released in 2005, combines for the first time not only the 4 series of Blackadder but also the extras: Blackadder's Christmas Carol, Blackadder Back & Forth and The Cavalier Years together with a bonus feature, Baldrick's Diaries.

The collection is presented in a sleeve masquerading as a black leather bound book featuring adder family emblem - the snake entwined around a sword - embossed on the cover. The volume contains 6 disks displayed with a picture of the relevant Blackadder and accompanied by an amusing quote.

Blackadder

It is 1485 during the reign of the good King Richard III and the evil Henry Tudor plots to seize power (later re-writing history to make himself out as the good guy). The King's nephew (Brian Blessed) has two sons: the noble Harry (Robert East) and the snivelling Edmund who is generally despised or ignored. Together with the idiot Lord Percy of Northumberland (Tim McInnerny) and castle servant Baldrick (Tony Robinson), Edmund dreams of being the King.

This the first series is surprisingly different from the subsequent three. The use of a large cast and the fact it is shot on location sets it apart visually while the characters and writing are not yet developed to their full potential. Blackadder is a pitiful fool (although he does evolve as the series goes on, sowing the seeds for subsequent generations) whose plans always go wrong, while Baldrick is actually the smarter of the two!

1) The Foretelling - Edmund chickens out of fighting in the Battle of Bosworth, but then manages to accidentally kill the victorious King! Edmund's father succeeds him as King Richard IV and he becomes the Duke of Edinburgh and decides to style himself "The Black Adder".
2) Born To Be King - With the King fighting the crusades Prince Harry is Regent while Edmund is left herding sheep and unblocking drains so he plots to reveal his brother as a bastard.
3) The Archbishop - As the war between the King and the Church rages on yet another Archbishop of Canterbury is killed in a tragic "accident" and Edmund is appointed as his replacement!
4) The Queen of Spain's Beard - The King plays at diplomacy by allying himself with Spain through the marriage of the ugly Infanta (Miriam Margolyes) to Edmund.
5) Witchsmeller Pursuivant - As the Black Death ravages Britain the hunt is on the find the chief witch who it is believed has placed a curse on the Kingdom...
6) The Black Seal - When the King gives away Edmund's only ennoblement, he gather together the evilest men in the country to help him seize the throne!

Blackadder II

The Blackadder genes resurface in Tudor times where Lord Blackadder is a favourite at the court of Queen Elizabeth I (Miranda Richardson). Saddled not only with Baldrick, but also having to put up with the idiot Lord Percy Percy (Tim McInnerny) and the Queen's sycophantic Lord Chamberlain, Lord Melchett (Stephen Fry), Blackadder tries to keep the fickle Queen happy.

Patsy Byrne stars as the loopy Nursie throughout Blackadder II but, unusually does not reappear in either of the subsequent series. Miriam Margolyes appears for a second time as Blackadder's Puritan aunt and Hugh Laurie takes two guest roles (drinking companion and Prince Ludwig), a precursor of much greater involvement to come.

1) Bells - A young woman called Kate disguises herself as a boy in order to seek her fortune in London and finds service with Blackadder, who is troubled to find himself falling for his new servant Bob!
2) Head - Blackadder is given the job of Lord High Executioner, but his efficiency might end up costing him his own head!
3) Potato - Walter Raleigh's return has the whole of London excited - except Edmund. To win back the Queen's attention, Blackadder proposes a sea jaunt of his own...
4) Money -There is trouble for Blackadder when the Black Monks demand repayment of a loan under pain of red hot poker!
5) Beer - Blackadder becomes involved in a drinking competition with Lord Melchett, inopportunely on the same night his rich but Puritan aunt and uncle are visiting.
6) Chains - Blackadder and Melchett are kidnapped by the evil Prince Ludwig, will the Queen pay their ransom?

Blackadder III

A change in fortunes sees Blackadder's status drop to that of butler to HRH The Prince Regent (Hugh Laurie), son of the insane King George III. Akin to the Tudor monarch, the prince is, by his own admission, "as thick as a whale omelette". He is also equally vain and spoilt, but times have moved on and he doesn't share Elizabeth's homicidal tendencies. Slightly less dangerous for Blackadder to serve perhaps, but even more irritating, The Prince gets them embroiled in numerous scrapes and difficulties. Blackadder is, however, developing a greater intelligence (as Baldrick becomes smellier and stupider, although he is still forthcoming with the cunning plans) so some of his schemes for self advancement might actually succeed!

A part of what makes Blackadder so brilliant is that the cast adapts to the historical circumstance of each series and the actors pop up even when they are not playing a leading role. For example in this series Stephen Fry returns as Lord Wellington, Tim McInnerny reappears as Lord Topper / Comte de Frou Frou and Miranda Richardson takes the role of Miss Amy Hardwood / The Shadow. As if these actors aren't enough, other well known comediennes are drafted in from time to time, in this series guest appearances include Chris Barrie as an evil revolutionary and Robbie Coltrane as Dr Johnson.

1) Dish & Dishonesty - Edmund dabbles in politics when Pitt the Younger decides to bankrupt the Prince.
2) Ink & Incapability - A resentful Blackadder attempts to sabotage The Prince's plan to patronise Dr Johnson's Dictionary.
3) Nob & Nobility - With the French Revolution in full throttle, Le Adder Noir must win a bet by rescuing a French Aristocrat.
4) Sense & Senility - The Prince decides to improve his image after an assassination attempt with the help of two actors.
5) Amy & Amiability - Blackadder attempts to match-make between The Prince and Miss Amy Hardwood, but an encounter with The Shadow means trouble.
6) Duel & Duality - When the Duke of Wellington challenges The Prince to a duel, Blackadder must take his place. Can he avoid certain death?

Blackadder Goes Forth

To his horror the new century sees Captain Blackadder stuck in a British trench fighting the First World War. Previously Blackadder's primary aim has always been the accumulation of wealth and prestige, now it is simply staying alive. A tricky feat indeed when you have General "Insanity" Melchett (distant relative of Elizabeth's Lord Melchett, once again Stephen Fry) at the helm, supported by cowardly paper-pusher Captain Darling (Tim McInnerny back in a leading role). To stay in one piece, despite many an "attractive offer to have my brains blown out for Britain", Blackadder must avoid going over the top at all costs. He is once again hindered by Baldrick and Lieutenant George (Hugh Laurie), an aristocratic nincompoop bearing a striking resemble to a former Prince.

Notable guest appearances in this series include Rik Mayall returning as Blackadder's nemesis Squadron Commander Lord Flashheart, Miranda Richardson as Nurse Fletcher-Brown and Gabrielle Glaister back as gender bender Bob.

1) Captain Cook - When General Melchett unveils Haig's latest brilliant plan, Blackadder attempts to become a war artist to evade going over the top to certain death!
2) Corporal Punishment - Blackadder avoids advancing on the enemy, laying the blame squarely on communication problems.
3) Major Star - With the Russians out of the war, Blackadder is given the task of organising a concert party to improve morale.
4) Private Plane - Blackadder, George and Baldrick join the Royal Flying Corp, but are horrified to learn their life expectancy is 20 minutes!
5) General Hospital - George ends up in hospital after being injured in an explosion and is joined by Blackadder who is searching for a German spy.
6) Goodbyeee... - It is time for the big push towards Berlin, can Blackadder get out of going over the top a final time?

Blackadder Back & Forth

When the current Blackadder gathers his wealthy friends (Stephen Fry, Miranda Richardson, Hugh Laurie & Tim McInnerny) to Blackadder Hall to celebrate the new millennium he claims he has invented a time machine and makes a bet that he can actually travel through time. However the hoax goes somewhat awry when it turns out Baldrick has in fact built a working time machine! As the pair travel back and forth through the ages they start to have some surprising affects on history...

The Millennium Episode of Blackadder, the first new material for 10 years (and, for now, the most current) was originally shown at the Millennium Dome throughout 2000 before being screened on the BBC in 2002. As well as featuring old-handers such as Rik Mayall (Robin Hood) and Patsy Byrne (Nursie) the episode also guest starred Kate Moss and Colin Firth.

Christmas Carol

Blackadder emerges in Victorian London for this satire of Dicken's Christmas Carol. Ebenezer Blackadder, the kindest man in all of Britain is about to be rewarded by Queen Victoria (Miriam Margoyles) but is blown off course by The Spirit of Christmas (Robbie Coltrane) and his visions of Christmases past!

This special episode, first aired in December 1988, is excellent because it features flashbacks to Blackadder II and III as well as a glimpse into the future at the court of Queen Asphyxia (Miranda Richardson).

The Cavalier Years

The year is 1648, Cromwell has won the Civil War and King Charles I awaits his execution. Blackadder is very annoyed to find that, as a royalist, he has ended up on the wrong side!

I had never seen or heard of this episode before, it was created specially for Comic Relief in 1988 (using parts of the set from Blackadder III) and is only 15 minutes long. Although it is not as funny as the regular series, it is well worth a quick watch, particularly for Stephen Fry's impersonation of Charles I, a character very unlike his usual Melchett.

Conclusion

A fantastic collection which is a must for any Blackadder fan. The length of this review is testament the amount of footage on this DVD set and thus it represents very good value for money at around £35-40. Highly recommended.

Suitable for persons over 15 only