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Blackadder: Back and Forth
A special feature looking at Blackadders through the ages might, therefore, have been a worthwhile enterprise. In Back and Forth, however, the character--a modern-day descendant of the Blackadder line--is merely briefly imposed on a variety of historical circumstances; he is no longer the victim of circumstances but the creator of them, and far less appealing for it. The script is lame and formulaic, and the conclusion unbelievably lazy. Okay, so it's a comedy, but if he really had returned to an England which had been conquered by France at the battle of Waterloo, shouldn't everyone there have been speaking French? On the DVD: There are three sound options Dolby 2.0 and 5.1, and DTS 5.1. The main feature has an easily negotiable scene selector, and there are two extra features; including a behind-the-scenes footage of the making of Back and Forth featuring interviews with co-writer Richard Curtis and the biggest gem on the whole DVD, a lost episode set in the time of Cromwell, far funnier than the dismal Back and Forth, especially for Stephen Fry's delightful blurring of the doomed Charles I and the future Charles III. --Andrew Mueller
RRP: £9.99
Our Price: £5.55 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
It seemed a good idea at the time: to celebrate the end of the millennium by resurrecting Edmund Blackadder for a one-off special Blackadder: Back and Fourth. Unfortunately, those responsible for Back and Forth got the cart before the horse. The Blackadder television series worked by recasting the same characters in different times, thereby reinforcing the dynamic between Blackadder and the buffoons who ran his life (World War One generals, various idiot royalty) and the troglodytes whose lives he ran (Baldrick). Given that most of us feel most of the time like the people we work for are useless and the people that work for us are even more useless, Blackadder's concept had a huge appeal.
MUST HAVE!!
Review date: 2007-12-21 Rating: 10 out of 10
this blackadder may well be different from the previous episodes, however, it is absolutely nothing to complain about!
i dont know why people are so dissapointed with back and forth but the jokes ARE funny and without the canned laughter, it feels like a more up-beat and modern approach, perhaps to appeal to younger generations.
the writing is superb. a different story idea for a blackadder script, but the classic humour shines through. particular lines will leave you in sticthes - the whole thing is crammed with comedy moments to remember.
a defenite must have for fans and if your new to blackadder, here is a wonderful place to start!
Similar Products
- Blackadder's Christmas Carol
- Blackadder: Complete Series 4 (Blackadder Goes Forth)
- Blackadder: Complete Series 3 (Blackadder III) [1987]
- Blackadder: Complete Series 1
- Blackadder: Complete Series 2 (Blackadder II)
Reviews
Funny but too short
Review date: 2007-08-02 Rating: 8 out of 10
The price is rather steep considering you only get a thirty minute long episode with two short bonuses (Cavalier years and Baldrick's video diary). However any true fan of Blackadder should 'cough up' as this is Blackadder on a whole new scale. A much larger budget was used, much larger cast, many more sets and a brand new style - instead of period Blackadders' it is set through time. Blackadder and Baldrick meet Shakespeare, go to the Jurassic age, go to Roman-held Britain, go to Sherwood Forest to meet Robin Hood and to the Battle of Waterloo! Some people have said on here that the plot is basic and boring but I would beg to differ; surely any plot which twists and turns throughout the episode due to Blackadder and Baldrick changing events in the past is far from predictable, and even further from simple. It is a much more satisfying end to the series than "goodbyeeeeeeeeeeeee" from the last episode of Series 4.
an interesting collection of blackadder shorts
Review date: 2007-07-08 Rating: 10 out of 10
This dvd features the cavalier years,a 15 minute blackadder short,the millenium dome blackadder film, back and forth and baldrick"s video diary,a behind the scenes footage of the making of back and forth.
all of these features are extremely side-splitingly hilarious and are recomended to any blackadder fan!
Not Blackadder at it's best but good enough
Review date: 2006-09-13 Rating: 8 out of 10
This one-off creation of the Blackadder team was made for the turn of the millennium and includes all those people who have had recurring appearances in other Blackadder series including Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and Miranda Richardson. The plot is basic with Blackadder and Baldrick building a fake time machine so they can win a bet, only to find that it actually works. It is unfortunate but you just get the feel from this film that the team were not at there best when they made it, some of the jokes fall a bit flat and some of the performances are ropey at best. There are some good jokes scattered throughout the piece but I just couldn't get of the feeling that this was an opportunity wasted. The disc also includes a comic relief sketch set during the Civil War period and Baldrick's Video Diary both of which are reasonably good to watch. Although Back and forth isn't the Worst in the Blackadder series by a long way I still wouldn't give it more than 3 ½ stars.
Just not there...
Review date: 2006-03-26 Rating: 4 out of 10
I was unfamiliar with the Blackadder franchise when I first saw this film in the millenium dome when I was quite young and can't really remember it. However I revisited it a number of years later, (after purchasing the first four series for my birthday), and was disappointed to say the least. The real thing missing here is Ben Elton. He brought the wit to the show with Blackadder II, and his lack of presence is painfully felt. Also, what really got to me was the beginning montage of pictures. The two pieces of historical artwork were funny, but the other pictures just resort to cheap laughs, such as Blackadder in a dress posing on a sofa, and holding his nose next to the queen. Hardly intelligent humour and unbelievably out of character for Edmund.
All in all, a great idea, (the concept of a Blackadder millenium film, and even perhaps the time machine idea), but sadly wasted. In other words, and to quote from the third series, 'about as effective as a catflap in an elephant house'.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Tim McInnerny
Miranda Richardson
Rowan Atkinson
Tony Robinson
Hugh Laurie
Director(s):
Recording label: Cinema Club
Manufacturer: Cinema Club
EAN: 5014138298005
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Full Screen, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2003-09-15
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 81 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2000
Language: English (Original Language)