Out of all the settings in the BlackAdder series, this one had by far the boldest. It was really different to have it set in a war. Yet by doing so it creates the sordidness, and barbarity of the medieval times. More than any other war in history, World War I had captured that. Despite its grim subject matter, "BlackAdder Goes Forth" makes for an excellent war comedy and a satisfying end to a great series.
This time the gang is all here. All major cast members that have appeared before in previous BlackAdder series are together. In this final installment, Rowan Atkinson is Captain Edmund BlackAdder along with him is Tony Robinson as Private Baldrick and Lieutenant George played by the delightful Hugh Laurie. We also see Stephen Fry again as Melchett and Tim McInnerny makes his return as Captain Darling, a last name that makes for a constant running gag.
The fine tradition of both sardonic and situation humor continues here. All the performances are superb. Fry in particular is an absolute hoot as General Melchett and Tony Robinson is at his best with Baldrick at his most stupid. All of the episodes are extremely funny. "Corporal Punishment" and "Major Star" are top notch but "Private Plane" is my favorite as Major Flashheart steals the show. However, it is the last episode, "Goodbyee", that is the most special as it is both hysterical and haunting.
Underneath all the laughs in Richard Curtis and Ben Elton's scripting lies a biting anti-war message. When put into perspective WWI was nothing more than a folly between nations that cost many lives. This series really highlights the propaganda that had been spread, the ridiculousness of the warfare, and how upper class twits who call themselves "Generals" sent young men to their deaths. The final episode was so sublime because it was able to convey this so well.
All in all, it is a fine end to one of the greatest British TV shows of all time. The BlackAdder series proves that comedy need not be bland, dumb, or formulaic, like so many of today's American sitcoms, but audacious, witty, and sophisticated.
This time the gang is all here. All major cast members that have appeared before in previous BlackAdder series are together. In this final installment, Rowan Atkinson is Captain Edmund BlackAdder along with him is Tony Robinson as Private Baldrick and Lieutenant George played by the delightful Hugh Laurie. We also see Stephen Fry again as Melchett and Tim McInnerny makes his return as Captain Darling, a last name that makes for a constant running gag.
The fine tradition of both sardonic and situation humor continues here. All the performances are superb. Fry in particular is an absolute hoot as General Melchett and Tony Robinson is at his best with Baldrick at his most stupid. All of the episodes are extremely funny. "Corporal Punishment" and "Major Star" are top notch but "Private Plane" is my favorite as Major Flashheart steals the show. However, it is the last episode, "Goodbyee", that is the most special as it is both hysterical and haunting.
Underneath all the laughs in Richard Curtis and Ben Elton's scripting lies a biting anti-war message. When put into perspective WWI was nothing more than a folly between nations that cost many lives. This series really highlights the propaganda that had been spread, the ridiculousness of the warfare, and how upper class twits who call themselves "Generals" sent young men to their deaths. The final episode was so sublime because it was able to convey this so well.
All in all, it is a fine end to one of the greatest British TV shows of all time. The BlackAdder series proves that comedy need not be bland, dumb, or formulaic, like so many of today's American sitcoms, but audacious, witty, and sophisticated.