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Black Adder - The Complete Collector's Set | 
 enlarge | Director: Martin Shardlow
Actors: Rowan Atkinson, Elspet Gray, Tim Mcinnerny, Brian Blessed, Robert East
Studio: BBC Warner
Category: DVD
List Price: $99.98
Buy New: $75.99
You Save: $23.99 (24%)
New (24) Used (7) from $73.99
Rating:  193 reviews
Sales Rank: 6261
Format: Box Set, Closed-captioned, Color, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 5
Running Time: 860
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.3 x 1
MPN: DE2460D
UPC: 794051246028
EAN: 0794051246028
ASIN: B000EBCEVS
Release Date: January 24, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new Item. CD, DVD, Book, VHS more than 400 000 titles to choose from. ALL days Low Price !
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com essential video
One of the best comedy series ever to emerge from England, Black Adder traces the deeply cynical and self-serving lineage of various Edmund Blackadders from the muck of the Middle Ages to the frontline of World War I. In his pre-Bean triumph, British comic actor Rowan Atkinson played all five versions of Edmund, beginning with the villainous and cowardly Duke of Edinburgh, whose scheming mind and awful haircut seem to stand him in good stead to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury--a deadly occupation if ever there was one. Among tales of royal dethronings, Black Death, witch smellers (who root out spell makers with their noses), and ghosts, Edmund is a perennial survivor who never quite gets ahead in multiple episodes. Jump to the Elizabethan era and Atkinson picks up the saga as Lord Edmund, who is perpetually courting favor from mad Queen Bess (Miranda Richardson) and is always walking a tightrope from which he can either gain the world or lose his head. Subjected to bizarre services for her majesty (at one point, Edmund is asked to do for potatoes what Sir Walter Raleigh did for tobacco), Edmund--as with his ancestor--can never quite fulfill his larger ambitions. The next incarnation we encounter is in late-18th-century Regency England. This time, Blackadder is a mere butler to the idiotic Prince Regent (Hugh Laurie in a brilliantly buffoonish performance) and is caught in various misadventures with Samuel Johnson, Shakespearean actors, the Scarlet Pimpernel, and William Pitt the younger. With a brief stop in Victorian London for a Christmas special, the series concludes with several episodes set during the Great War. The new Edmund is a career Army officer, but a scoundrel all the same. Shirking his duties whenever possible and taking advantage of any opportunity for undeserved reward, this final, deeply sour, and very funny Blackadder negotiates survival among a cadre of fools and dimwits. No small mention can be made of Atkinson's supporting cast, easily among the finest comic performers of their generation: besides Laurie and Richardson, Stephen Fry, Tony Robinson, and Tim McInnerny. --Tom Keogh
Description
One of the best comedy series ever to emerge from England, Black Adder traces the deeply cynical and self-serving lineage of various Edmund Blackadders from the muck of the Middle Ages to the frontline of World War I. In his pre-Bean triumph, British comic actor Rowan Atkinson played all five versions of Edmund, beginning with the villainous and cowardly Duke of Edinburgh, whose scheming mind and awful haircut seem to stand him in good stead to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury--a deadly occupation if ever there was one. Among tales of royal dethronings, Black Death, witch smellers (who root out spell makers with their noses), and ghosts, Edmund is a perennial survivor who never quite gets ahead in multiple episodes.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 188 more reviews...
Incredibly fantastic! April 29, 2008
I was already a fan of Black Adder before I bought this set because it was a good price on Amazon. Unfortunately that case was a little broken when it finally arrived, but that does not at all diminish my love of this particular set. I've only had it for less than a month, and I've watched it enough to pretty much memorize every line of every episode: all the sarcasm, cutting quips, and historical allusions. I'm pretty well versed in European history (for an American), but I certainly learned a few things from the special features (with delightful narration by Tony Robinson).
Now my only worry is that I may wear out this copy and need a new one! It actually takes a bit of self-discipline to tear myself away from the tv and to not try to bring the discs with me everywhere I go! I would highly recommend this set to anyone who loves Black Adder (though you'll likely already be drooling over it if you do!) since it's all together in one place. If you haven't seen any episodes yet and don't know about the series, I wouldn't get it just yet. It's not for everyone, but if you rent it (start out with the second season!) and decide you like it, just go and indulge!
Believe the hype April 27, 2008
I had never seen this show before and knew it only by reputation. I was also not a fan of Rowan Atkinson, since I had only seen him in Mr. Bean which I'm not particularly a fan of. Still, my love for Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry as well as my appreciation of british history and comedy encouraged me to give this a go when I found it on sale for $50.
Well it's a good thing I did becuase this show is fantastic. The first season is probably the weakest, and is also the toughest for us Yanks to follow due to its Shakespearean tilt. Still funny though, and the show really comes into its own in the following seasons. The special features are varied and entertaining, the packaging is compact but sturdy and without any critical flaws. All in all an awesome addition to any collection, especially if you can get it sale priced: $100 is just a bit steep for 5-discs.
Not enough! April 27, 2008
I love Blackadder! There just isn't enough of it.
I know "Back and Forth" is the "final chapter," but surely Rowan Atkinson and company would be willing to go back and fill in some gaps.
I thought the historical notes were a nice added feature. I know, what an odd thing to find nice on this DVD set, but I enjoyed it.
a nice reminder April 24, 2008
Those who have followed the historical adventures of Edmund Black Adder over times will be delighted with this rediscovered archival piece. Black Adder for ever !
I absolutely love the series! April 21, 2008
I love the Blackadder Dynasty. I admit, some of the jokes can get a little raunchy, but I love the evolution of the Blackadder mind and the degradation of Baldrick. It shows history definitely has it flaws.
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