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Blackadder is widely considered
to be one of the best British comedies of all time. A television poll
in 2004 saw Blackadder voted the second best British sitcom ever. The show
encompasses four series and several one-off
specials, made between 1983 and 1999. The series told the story of the
Blackadder character(played by Rowan Atkinson)
and his descendants in various periods of English history, beginning in
1485. In the first series, we are introduced
to Prince Edmund, a snivelling fool who eventually adopts the title of
The Black Adder (after considering calling himself
The Black Vegetable). The subsequent three series were set in the Elizabethan
era, the Regency period and World War I. In 1999 the story was brought up to modern times with "Blackadder:
Back and Forth",set on the eve of the millennium.
"Blackadder 2" is set in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Lord Blackadder is the great-grandson of Prince Edmund, who is always trying to impress the Queen. Baldrick (Tony Robinson) and Lord Percy Percy (Tim McInnerny) are the only returning character from the first series. Other regulars include Miranda Richardson as Queen Elizabeth, Lord Chamberlain Lord Melchett, Elizabeth's former nanny Nursie. "Potato" is the third episode of the series, Sir Walter Raleigh is the talk of England after his return from his voyage. In order to impress the Queen and marry her, Blackadder declares his intention to sail around the Cape of Good Hope. He charters the ship of Captain Redbeard Rum (Tom Baker) and sets sail with Baldrick and Percy on a voyage so dangerous that nobody expects them to return alive. Fans of classic British comedy will recognise Simon Jones (aka. Arthur Dent in "The Hitchhikers' Guide to The Galaxy") as Sir Walter Raleigh.
Tom Baker is brilliant in this episode, playing the mad Captain with a large
red beard and no legs. It is worth watching the
series just for his performance (although "Blackadder" is such a great
series that you do not need an excuse to watch
it!). This is probably Tom Baker's best known role after Doctor Who, and
shows that he is a great character actor.
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Please note: not very pleased with the quality of my Screen Captures.
The VCR tape the snaps were taken from cost me a pretty penny, but it obviously was
NOT a first rate tape. Everything I have ever ordered from eSpace
has been top notch, with this particular piece of merchandise being the exception.
If anyone 'out there' should have better Screen Captures I will promptly replace
those below. Till then, sadly, this is all I have.
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midi file this page: "Blackadder Theme."
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