Customer Reviews

Black Adder II - Parte the Firste (Part 1) [VHS]

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I adore British Comedy. I have seen every episode of Red Dwarf, Being Served, and Black Adder ever written. Black Adder II, Parte the Firste is by far my favorite Black Adder tape. Miranda Richardson Plays a wonderful Queenie, Tony Robinson returns from Black Adder one as the faithful Baldrick, Tim McInnery is the "pea-brained" Percy, and Rowan Atkinson... Well, who else could play a role like the Black Adder? Thankfully he has a much better haircut than in the last episodes. We also see the character Lord Flasheart (Rik Mayall), and "Bob" in Bells; two characters which we see in later episodes.

Blackadder is the best comedy series to have come from the shores of the UK since Fawlty Towers. Writer Richard Curtis, he of Four Weddings and Notting Hill shows us his true comedic routes. Linked with the excellent writing of Ben Elton (The Young ONes), and the outstanding performances of all the cast, most notably Mr Rowan Atkinson himself, makes this 'side splitting', (unless you have worn your corset). The humour is clever, dry, sarcastic and full of wit. I would recommend anybody who has never experienced the world of BlackAdder to purchase this tape, and also tape 2 of series 2. For me, series 2 is the high point of the 4 series comedy so is an excellent start to a collection. So, again, if you haven't witnessed BlackAdder, buy this. It is the best.

The Blackadder Series is quite possibly the greatest of all television comedies, and the second series of Blackadder the best of the four. In is his neverending search for power, and preservation of his life, Edmund's sole mistake inevitably is his association with the dimwitted Baldrick, and the worthless Percy. The plans are cunning, the turnips are oddly shaped, and the wit as sharp as a rapier. Brilliantly written and portrayed, Blackadder is an absolute must for British Comedy fans, or anybody who likes to laugh until it hurts. Special mention must go to Miranda Richardson for her comic brilliance as the Queen! A funnier lady might never be found! Also kudos to Hugh Laurie for his two guest appearances as different characters in Beer and Chains.

Here's a British TV comedy series that puts American sit-coms to shame with its biting wit and comic sensibilities. Black Adder surpasses Mr. Bean (which I also enjoy) and is up there with Fawlty Towers. It helps to know some English history and some Shakespeare, but not necessary. (My 11-year-old son loves the series.) I just discovered the Black Adder tapes at the video rental and am working my way through them. Saw II - Part 1 last night, and this is some VERY funny stuff. Some of the humor is rather daring for the period this was made (a LOT of sexual humor generally and the gender-bending of "Bells" specifically), but I guess British TV was more relaxed than the American networks back in the early 80s. Every time Black Adder encounters witches, it's a hilarious take on those Shakespeare plays you read in high school.

Just some of those great lines...

Lord Melchett: "Still talking to yourslef I see, Blackadder?" Blackadder: "Yes, it's the only way I can be sure of intelligent conversation."

Queenie: "But does she have as pretty a nose as me?" Blackadder: "Oh no, Maam." Queenie: "Well good. Because if she did I would have to cut it off. And that wouldn't be very nice would it? I mean, imagine the mess when she sneezed! Poooey!"

Blackadder: "I have a plan so cunning you could stick a tail on it and call it a weasel."

See? Buy it. Now. And I'm glad to see you loveable yanks love it too. You give us Simpsons, we give you Blackadder, a most profitable relationship.

In this series, the peculiar "Black Adder" family once again find karma together in the Elizabethan period, with Rowan Atkinson incarnated as Lord Edmund, thwarted and blocked at every turn by circumstance as well as his dimwitted servant, the unctuous Lord Percy, and the impossible Queen Bess (Miranda Richardson) and her attendant, Lord Melchet (Stephen Fry).

These episodes pass the "feet up in the air while laughing test," especially Edmund's coversation with Captain Redbeard in "Potato," in which he seeks to outdo Sir Walter Raleigh and explore uncharted territory. If Raleigh's voice sounds familiar, you may be recognizing actor Simon Jones from HITCH-HIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY, in which he played Arthur Dent. Captain Redbeard, meanwhile, is none other than Tom Baker, who played Doctor Who for six years.

Along with the episodes "Bells" (in which Edmund falls for a manservant who is a woman in disguise) and "Head" (in which Edmund is appointed executioner, executes the wrong man at the wrong time, and hatches no less than two hilariously desperate plots to cover up the mistakes and save his own head) demonstrate some brilliant comic writing and an excellent ensemble. (And an irritating laugh track - ignore it as best you can.)

I have seen all four series of Blackadder, the first was a dissapointment (as I saw it last), 3 and 4, although funny, do not compare to series 2, buy it this instant.

Fans of British humour will love the Blackadder series and I found the episodes set in Elizabethan times particularly funny . We find Lord Blackadder in good form with his loathsome side-kick Baldrick and the pea-brained Lord Percy. Blackadder has to contend with good old bloodthirsty Queen Elizabeth whose capriciousness invariably drives the plot. These episodes are worth seeing if only for Rowan Atkinson's(Blackadder) dry one liners .

Black Adder II goes farther than all of the other Black Adder time periods. In "Potato," Queenie writes a hilarious poem about Black Adder's so called trip to the cape of good hope. It goes something like this:

When the clouds are dark, and the dogs go bark,

When the sky is black, and the ducks go quack,

When the sky is blue, and the cows go moooooooo,

Think of lovely Queenie, She'll be thinking of you.

Next, she comments that shakespeare helped with the title, ("Edmond") but the rest was "all my own work!"

This TV series should not be missed by anyone, for these hilarious lines will make you laugh even the 10th time after you see them! I suggest you buy this video now, for anyone who does not see this show doesn't know what funny is...

Those who were considering Benny Hill, you have found two of the true geniuses of British comedy--Rowan Atkinson and Ben Elton.

This is the best of the Black Adders. Stunningly good. Superbly fine. You must own this, whoever you are.