Blackadder Marches On (Blackadder - Complete Series 4 (Blackadder Goes Forth) (DVD))

Member Name: MI9to5

Product:	Blackadder - Complete Series 4 (Blackadder Goes Forth) (DVD)
Date:	20/09/09 (47 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very poignent

Disadvantages: None for me but the black humour won't suit everyone

Blackadder is the generic name of a historical sitcom by the BBC that ran for four series. Each series is set in a completely different era from the Tudors to World War One, yet each follow the fortunes and misfortunes of Edmond Blackadder, played by Rowan Atkinson and his sidekick though more often dogsbody Baldrick, played by Tony Robinson. In each series Blackadder must not only try and put up with Baldrick's dim wits and poor personal hygiene standards but also an equally dim-witted aristocrat (Lord Percy Percy played by Tim McInnerny in series 1 and 2, Prince George in series 3 and Lieutenant George in series 4 both played by Hugh Laurie).

The fourth series and the one I will be reviewing today is entitled 'Blackadder Goes Forth' and is set in the British Trenches during World War I.

Like seems to be the common pattern since the previous series Blackadder's social standing has been reduced but at the same time his intellect and wit increased. It is worth noting that the connection between the different generations of Blackadder's is never directly mentioned and must be inferred throughout the run of the series'.

Instead of the Duke that he was in the first series or a Lord in Queen Elizabeth's court as in the second, or even the Prince's butler as in the third he his now Captain Edmund Blackadder and is merely twenty yards form a lot of heavily armed people who want to kill him. Accompanied by brother officer Lieutenant George, whose family brain cell is gathering dust in a pawn shop in Dunstable, and the increasingly stinking and still seriously stupid Baldrick, who is somehow in charge of cooking, Blackadder must serve those who it seems see fit to send them all to their deaths.

Series Four consists of six, thirty-minute episode chronicling the trials and tribulations of Blackadder, Baldrick and Lieutenant George as Blackadder attempts to everything within his or anyone else's power to get as far away from the trenches as possible. Each of the episodes has it's own story and so it is definitely possible to watch them as stand-alone comic pieces however like with all sit-coms they are better watched in the order they were intended to viewed in. For example those who only watch the odd episode here and there will see the pieces are more contained stories were as in fact they are reasonably formulaic and Blackadder's sticky situations are usually followed by Baldrick's proposal "I have a cunning plan," which more often than not isn't.

The humour within this series is a good mix of slapstick, word-puns and more subtle lines that make the show a real pleasure to watch. The word puns themselves are the best that appear in any of the series' and probably some of the best in British Sit-com history. The lines resonate with humour yet at the same time ring with a great deal of home truth and poignancy that makes this series so fantastic and so memorable. The constant use of Kevin Darling's name as a joke shows comic timing at it's very best and highlights how a repeated joke can be just as funny the 30th time it's heard as it was for the first. It must be noted however that a quantity of the humour within Blackadder does often come from moderate references to sex and nudity as well as occasional bad language. I personally however do not think that this is excessive within the show and feel that it should cause no objections from the audience as long as the 15 certificate is adhered too.


The cast throughout the whole Blackadder sitcom generally remains the same with only minor changes taking place. Rowan Atkinson is always Blackadder, Tony Robinson always Baldrick and although Tim McInnerny only plays the main aristocratic pain in Blackadder's backside in the first two series', he does play a minor Lord in the third series and the General's Secretary Kevin Darling in this the fourth series. Hugh Laurie replaces him as the main aristocrat in the third series and remains in this post for the fourth. I personally must admit that I much prefer Hugh Laurie as the main antithesis as I think that the relationship between the pair of them seems much more natural that it does between Atkinson and McInnerny.

The quality of the acting on the whole though is fantastic. All the cast seem to be extremely relaxed in their roles and really excel in them. Rowan Atkinson is truly tremendous as the cunning Blackadder and his dry wit, frequent ironic and satirical statements and general appearance makes him really endearing. Tony Robinson as Baldrick also plays an amazing part and is probably my favourite character in the series. He plays the daft servant down to a tee every single time and is just brilliant to watch on screen His off the cuff lines in this series are superb and exceptionally memorable. His descriptions of Rat-o-van and Rat-Fricassee are simply superb no matter how many times you listen to them. Hugh Laurie as Lieutenant George or Lieutenant The Honourable George Colthurst St. Barleigh, as he is officially called is similarly great to watch on screen and the relationship between all the cast seems to be very genuine throughout. What makes the show ever better is the great distinction between both actors and characters, which in my opinion is what makes the show such a great success.

Since it's television debut Blackadder has become a large part of popular culture and the iconic theme tune by Howard Goodall has played a large part in this. For each series the theme tune was played in the style of music of the period and therefore the theme for this series was performed by a military band, probably similar to the one seen in the opening titles - these are highly amusing to watch too.

This series is definitely my favourite Blackadder series as there is something about its clever blend of humour and poignant points that make it such a gem to watch. There was never a doubt in my mind when I watched this series that it wasn't going to reach the honourable Blackadder top spot because everything about it is razor sharp and in my opinion comic perfection. This series brought a the series as a whole to a fantastic end and the lasting imagine of the lead characters going over the top into no-mans land firmly highlighted the writers respect for the men whose lives they had been parodying. The final line of the series certainly brought everything into perspective and brings the series to a dramatic closure that you would never have imagined it could have.

"Whatever it was, I'm sure it was better than my plan to get out of this by pretending to be mad. I mean, who would have noticed another madman round here? Good luck everyone?"

Summary: A fantastically humorous but at the same time fitting television show