I'm Happy after buyingThis Black Adder Remastered Ultimate Edition
This is an excellent collection for anyone who enjoys 'Britcoms' and humor that requests a bit of thought. Rowan Atkinson is obviously much more talented than even his Mr. Bean character shows. If that is all you know of Atkinson, I recommend checking out this series. You may even learn a bit of English history (well, pseudo-history at least).
The DVD extras are very good and add to the package rather than just fill disc space. Tony Robinson's narration and all the interviews are excellent throughout. Even though I first saw Hugh Laurie in Black Adder, I was still surprised to hear his native British accent in the inteviews - even more so since his interviews were done on the set of "House".
All in all a very well put together and thorough compilation of one of the best British comedy series' ever.
Finally, it's all here in one place. There are even a few seconds of cut dialogue added in. If you've memorized the VHS version, you'll find a phrase added here and there that wasn't there before. For example, when Baldrick saves Blackadder the 3rd by untying him on the "grassy knoll." Blackadder sputters "B- Baldrick... Baldrick! Thank you for introducing me to a genuinely new experience." Only the last "Baldrick!" made it into the VHS version.
ReplyDeleteThere are interviews with almost everyone you might care to listen to. But I've noticed that people have a tendency to mumble both in commentaries and in interviews. This is especially annoying in the commentaries where, if you turn it up to hear the murmuring of comments, then the feature audio is too loud when it fades in at times. Hey, audio guys, there is a knobby thing labled "levels" somewhere on your hardware or software mixer. Please use it next time.
I'd only seen the Baldrick Diaries once before and it was great to have it along side of the Cavalier Years, Blackadder Christmas Carol, and Back and Forth. And since my VHSs have succumbed to age, repeated play and the occasional film-eating player, this came just in time.
I was also touched that the Blackadder staff all felt as deeply about the Fourth series as I did. I've never been able to watch the last episode of Blackadder the Fourth unless I was ready for an emotional time of it. If you haven't seen it, I'll give you a hint. This is historical comedy and the Fourth series is set in WWI, and at the end, a battlefield turns into a sea of poppies. Watch it and try not to choke up. Rarely does a comedy offer genuine deep feeling as well as tomfoolery.
It was great to be able to watch the progression of the Black Adder family line in a couple sittings. This show is so entertaining and to see Rowan Atkinson's many impressions was so much fun! To see the cast after 20 years was also fun and interesting. I loved the interview of Rowan, since he doesn't do many. I bought this on sale and it was totally worth it. Will watch over and over again!
ReplyDeleteThis is an excellent collection for anyone who enjoys 'Britcoms' and humor that requests a bit of thought. Rowan Atkinson is obviously much more talented than even his Mr. Bean character shows. If that is all you know of Atkinson, I recommend checking out this series. You may even learn a bit of English history (well, pseudo-history at least).
ReplyDeleteThe DVD extras are very good and add to the package rather than just fill disc space. Tony Robinson's narration and all the interviews are excellent throughout. Even though I first saw Hugh Laurie in Black Adder, I was still surprised to hear his native British accent in the inteviews - even more so since his interviews were done on the set of "House".
All in all a very well put together and thorough compilation of one of the best British comedy series' ever.
Still funny after all these years - the Black Adder comedies are priceless. Anyone with a love of English history will enjoy the episodes! Though sometimes crude, the witty dialogue makes up for it. And the actors are marvelous.
ReplyDeleteThis collection has all of the episodes of the Black Adder series, with Rowan Atkinson at his best. The price of this collection is lower than that of other Black Adder collections, but the video is superior and this has EVERYTHING the Black Adder fan will appreciate.
ReplyDeleteRowan Atkinson is best known for his Mr. Bean character but his best performance is without a doubt Blackadder. The first Blackadder is rather weak and foolish but becomes the master schemer in the following seasons and Rowan's deadpan delivery of his lines along with a stellar supporting cast bring a refreshing boost to comedy.
ReplyDeleteAmerican audiences will have to adjust their perceptions a bit to understand and appreciate english humor but it is well worth a look especially during the Blackadder the Third series which I found the best along with Blackadder goes forth (the ending is quite moving and you have to watch the entire season to really appreciate it).
Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry and Tony Robinson truly help make the series stand out and give Blackadder his springboard to truly entertain the audience. The DVD set includes all the seasons along with the TV Specials (the christmas episode is original and hilarious) and looks well enough on a high definition TV considering the age of the show. I highly recommend this series and this dvd set to anyone who enjoys a good laugh.