Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Don't ever let him. Stop.", March 5, 2002
While rumours abound about a new series of "Black Adder" and when it may appear, this disc should satisfy any itch you may get in the meantime. This may indeed be the superior series of the Black Adder set but you can decide for yourself. Six episodes, each a gem of comic writing and acting. Hugh Laurie's "George" is more well rounded than the third series while Tim McInnery's return is a welcome site. Still, credit must go to Rowan Atkinson and Tony Robinson for their stand-out performances. The writing is again superb, but the real genius of the plot is the underlying message of the futility of war and the staggering waste of human life. In the final moments of episode 6, we observe the purest moment of humanity; Baldrick's wish to lay down arms and live in peace, Darling's dream of a quiet suburban life about to shatter, and George's dumbfounded realization that his lineage, education, and money won't stop the fact that he is frightened and about to die. As the picture of stoic grace, Black Adder brings the calamity to a close with the final charge over the top. As the battlefield fades, a field of red poppies bloom in tribute to the men and women of the British Armed Forces who lost their lives. It still brings tears to my eyes with each viewing. Is the other face of comedy not tragedy? Genius.
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34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best of one of Britain's best comedies, June 13, 2004
"Black Adder IV: Black Adder goes forth" is the best of the British comedy that takes satirical swipes at various epochs of history; Medieval (I), Elizabethan (II), Georgian/Regency (III), and finally, in this fourth series, World War I. In each series stars Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson, in what is possibly his best performance), who is sharp of intellect, corrupt and conniving. In each "resurrection" through these ages, he is accompanied by the dimwitted Baldrick (Tony Robinson).
While the first series is weak, the ensuing three are excellent, and the fourth is my particular favorite. Accompanied by his incompetent subordinates, the eternal Baldrick and the good-natured and stupid, although surprisingly talented George (Hugh Laurie), Blackadder spends most of his time attempting to evade going out into the field against the Germans (as it meant certain death). Thwarting Blackadder's goal are the loud, dimwitted General Melchett (Stephen Fry) and his "office boy", the waffly Captain Darling (Tim McInnerny), who is Blackadder's enemy. The anti-war message in this particular series is clear and poignant, exposing the futility and inefficiency of the first world war.
The series is absolutely hilarious, and each episode is excellent. Rowan Atkinson is stellar as always, but I particularly enjoyed the performance of Hugh Laurie as George. The actor is most-often cited for his performance as the prince regent in Blackadder III, but in my opinion his George in Blackadder IV is his best moments. His bumbling character, a foolish young man related to the aristocracy who clearly could not profit from attending even the best schools in Britain, is both amusing and endearing, with many little touches (such as his talents in painting and acting) which lend him more depth and personality than the prince regent character. Also of special note is Tim McInnerny's performance as the nervous, semi-neurotic Captain Darling. The ongoing hostility and verbal bickering between him and Blackadder provide for many amusing moments, and his incompetence and frustrated attempts to get the upper hand on Blackadder ultimately results in an odd sort of sympathy for him. One senses that his life never amounts to more than the dry, petty details of his officework, and like the rest of the characters he appears to be somehow trapped and powerless against a monstrous, inescapable situation greater than himself. Finally, for the persons familiar with the second series (Elizabethan era), there is the gratifying return of "Bob" and the indomitable Captain Flasheart, in a longer and even funnier appearance than his role in the second series.
In summary: Highly recommended series- A+
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply wonderful, February 20, 2004
By A Customer
The 'Blackadder' series is without a doubt the most wonderful comedy series of all time, in my opinion. Captain Edmund Blackadder joined the army before any wars were fought in his time, never dreaming that he would go to war. Now, he's stuck in the trenches with the intellectual Baldrick (Lowest of the animal kingdom) and George, who wants nothing more to jumps over the top and get shot to death by machine-gun fire. Featuring a few guest stars, the most memorable of which is the very cool Lord Flasheart. Wuff-wuff! Very nice. Blackadder is not very keen on going over the top and dying, and so in each episode he attempts to escape going over the top, not very well aided by George. Kevin Darling, Blackadder's enemy, is determined to stop him, and walrus-face General Melchett is no help either, sending Blackadder to go into the middle of battle and paint the Germans, and his grand plan is to kill everyone except for General Melchett, lady Melchett and their pet Tortoise, Alan. But the best thing about Blackadder is the message that it was utter suicide, sending people over the top to meet their doom, and the pointless slaughter of so many men was because of simple foolishness. In the last episode, Blackadder, Baldrick, George and even Darling go over the top. There are touching moments, such as Darling wishing he'd have made it, wishing he'd marry Doris and settle, Baldrick just wanting to say no, and George wanting to go over the top, but changing his mind, and being scared that he is about to be killed. Blackadder, who has been bitter and cruel and sarcastic to Baldrick and George, reveals that he does, very deep down, like them, saying a very memorable line the second before they go over the top, `Good luck, everyone' The screen fades to a field of poppies, and the Blackadder series, along with all it's characters, disappear forever.
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