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The Complete Blackadder - All Four Series [DVD]
![The Complete Blackadder - All Four Series [DVD]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GEJ7F7AML._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £59.99
Our Price: £18.00 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Follow the progress of Rowan Atkinson's irredeemably wicked Edmund Blackadder throughout history in this complete box set of all four series--from the snivelling War of the Roses-era creep in the Shakespearean parody that was the first series, to his final and unexpectedly noble demise in the trenches of the First World War in Blackadder Goes Forth. In between, of course, we see Edmund at the court of giggly Queen Elizabeth I in Blackadder II, now transformed into the Machiavellian cad audiences came to love so well (thanks to a character overhaul from writing team Ben Elton and Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson’s note-perfect performance). Then in Blackadder III he's still scheming, but this time has moved a little down the social ladder as butler to the congenitally stupid Prince Regent on the cusp of the 18th and 19th centuries. In all four generations Blackadder is accompanied (or should that be hampered?) by his faithful yet terminally stupid servant Baldrick (Tony Robinson); and if that wasn't bad enough he also has to put up with the incompetence, pomposity and one-upmanship of a host of other contemporary hangers-on wonderfully played by regular costars Hugh Laurie, Tim McInnery, Stephen Fry, Miranda Richardson and Rik Mayall. Taken as a whole this sharp, cynical, occasionally satirical, toilet humour-obsessed and achingly funny saga deserves to stand alongside Fawlty Towers as one of the best ever British sitcoms. --Mark Walker
Complete Blackadder
Review date: 2010-04-10 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is exactly what we wanted. Series 1 is odder than later series but all good.
Only downside have to switch off the subtitles which are in Dutch.
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Reviews
too good for words
Review date: 2009-07-14 Rating: 10 out of 10
Ignoring the fact that this doesn't contain many extras or the special episodes. This series is excellent!
I have never laughed more. The jokes are smart, witty and generally just amusing. It wouldn't have worked with a different cast, it was spectacularly well chosen.
Series one is very different from the other series, it has the tiniest hint of mr bean in there (having been co-written with rowan atkinson) and many people dislike it because it isn't as cleverly written, but it's good in it's own right. It took me a couple of watches to like series one, but now I really love it.
Series two is highly amusing, here is where the sarcastic, clever humour really begins. Similar cast, obviously in their new roles, and once again excellent.
Series 3 is my favourite, defiantely the smartest of them all, and for me, the funniest. Hugh Laurie makes an excellent stupid Prince. And baldrick in this series is definately the best.
Series 4, still great, but probably my least favourite. That could be because of the setting though. Baldrick's stupidity doesn't seem as justified or quite right in this series, considering how recently it was set. But it's still brilliant, and defiantely worth watching.
You'd have to be mad or completely devoid of fun not to enjoy this. Worth every penny (although you might want to get the COMPLETE set!)
Best Series Ever
Review date: 2009-04-21 Rating: 10 out of 10
Black Adder is really an amazing performance by Rowan Atkinson. We can see the evolution of the character from the first Medieval season, where Black Adder is similar to Mr.Bean in some characteristics and it evolves to something more dark (and a lot funnier).
Don't buy this if you are expecting Mr.Bean, this is nothing like it and far from it, and in that way, a much better series. The complete package is great even though it stills lacks the Christmas Special, that they could include in this so-called "Complete Blackadder". Enfim...
For the series this is great just to have everything in one pack. The rest is the same as the others that are sold here.
Black Adder is a somewhat cunning man, a liar, a thief and tries to make money out of everything, always accompanied by Percy and Baldrick throughout the series. No need to say that everything always goes terribly wrong. No need for more explanation, just watch this, and you'll love it, especially if you like Britcom.
P.S. You'll see Hugh Laurie here, playing a dumb character, nothing like Dr.House. Check it out ;)
Worst. DVD. Transfer. Ever
Review date: 2007-12-04 Rating: 4 out of 10
One of the worst DVD transfers I've ever seen. This is completely unwatchable if you have an LCD TV due to all the artifacts, ghosting, and other bad effects you get from really badly compressed video.
I really don't know how the other reviewers here could give it a high score, maybe they were just rating the show itself.
A huge shame as blackadder is one of the funniest shows ever made, but don't waste your money on this. You get better quality watching it on UKTV Gold.
One of the best....ever!
Review date: 2007-03-08 Rating: 10 out of 10
In terms of razorsharp verbal wit with a nice portion of pure slapstick, this is one of the best sitcoms around. Series One (Middle-ages is the most forgettable; the writers and Atkininson clearly hadn't found their ideal "Adder" yet (Baldrick was even smarter than him), but the fun begins with series two (Elisabethan times)when the cast got stronger and the setting was more structured.
Series three was the best i.m.o., with references to dashing Higwaymen, dr. Johnson dictionary and the French revolution).
Series four was the most poignant; finding the humour in the Great War. It works, though and Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry play great (but not too bright) characters.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Hugh Laurie
Tony Robinson
Rowan Atkinson
Stephen Fry
Tim McInnerny
Creators:
Rowan Atkinson (Primary Contributor)
Tony Robinson (Primary Contributor)
Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503109325
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 4
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2001-11-12
Number of discs: 4
Aspect ratio: 4:3 - 1.33:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 719 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1993-12
Language: English (Original Language)