Blackadder: The Whole Damn Dynasty, 1485-1917

"Population: three rather mangy cows, a dachshund named Colin, and a small hen, in its late forties."

"I took over for the original electorate after he very sadly accidentally brutally cut his head off while combing his hair."

"I am delighted to have been instrumental in keeping your bosom free of arses."

"...eternity in the company of Beelzebub and all his hellish instruments of death will be a picnic compared to five minutes with me and this pencil..."

By the way, all royalties from the sale of this book go to Comic Relief UK. So you're actually doing two good things: Donating to a worthwhile charity and owning a book "so cunning, you could stick a tail on it and call it a weasel."


Dead-tree version of one of the funniest shows ever   March 3, 2002
Eric Oppen (Iowa Falls, IA USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I've adored Blackadder ever since I first discovered it, in taped form at a friend's house, and having a copy of the scripts makes it easier to follow along sometimes. Besides the scripts themselves, there is background material, like "Captain Darling's Emergency Request For Transfer to Somewhere Much Safer," and Baldrick's school report, where he gets good grades in corporal punishment, the teacher noting that B's piglety squeals make beating him more enjoyable.

Of course, to any "Blackadder" fan, the real high spot is the deliciously bitchy dialogue, particularly when Blackadder's telling someone off. The first-season Black Adder wasn't as good as the others IMO; but after that, the writers really got into their stride.


A Damn Fine Book of Scripts   January 23, 2002
Tiggah (Calgary, Alberta Canada)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

This 455-page 6" x 9" softcover (printed on standard "paperback" paper) contains the full scripts to every episode in each of the four series. It does not, however, include the scripts to either the Dickens' Christmas Carol special or the Millenium special. Also interspersed throughout are nineteen full-page b/w photos of the characters.

I must confess personally to a preference for behind-the-scenes and tribute books. Nevertheless, I really did enjoy reading this delightful book of scripts. For one thing, there are a number of brief comical additions ("the other bits") included for the reader's "edification." Most notable (and most hilarious) are the brief two-page "lessons" in history (both of England in general and of the Blackadder or Baldrick dynasties in particular) that fill in the gaps prior to the first series and in between subsequent series. Other highlights include very brief overviews of Mediaeval Medicine and of Instruments of Torture (a particularly ghastly example of which is the device used for (and I quote) "ruining the victim's hairdo or cutting it off entirely"). Of course, one mustn't forget Baldrick's Report Card from 1880 or the erudite extract from Dr. Johnson's famous dictionary.

This definitely was an enjoyable read. If you are a fan of this excellent, unique British comedy series and are looking for the full scripts (plus a number of cute extras), you'll enjoy this book.


T'was A Cunning Plan   September 14, 2001
mae (aus)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful

To release this damn fine book for my reading pleasure. It's strange when a paperback of all things can have you laughing so much that you are crying and whacking the table so hard that the plates jump. What a brilliant idea, to release all of the scripts from all of the series in ONE VOLUME!! I absolutely flipped.

As well as the scripts, there are some other hilarious inclusions, (Check out Baldrick's family tree - I was sobbing) and a few photos. The text is well presented and easy to read, and the whole thing is just brilliant entertainment. Plus, some proceeds go to the comic relief aid agency. This book is a MUST HAVE for anyone who enjoys good British comedy.


yAn Excellent Read through History y dramatisedy   July 29, 2001
Mr. James A. Church (Berkshire, England, United Kingdom)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

This is a script-based book of all the four Blackadder series', not including the newest Millennium edition. The presentation, layout, illustrations and `the other bits' are very good, and also very funny. The book also links the four historical periods and tells us what happened to the main characters after each series ended. It has almost been turned into a historically interesting novel, with the scripts woven in. There is also a cast list and synopsis for each series/play.

The appendix's, which can be found throughout the book, includes very funny accounts of instruments of torture, medieval medicines, the Mrs Miggins' Coffee House Tariff, Duties of... Clothes bills, Passage from Dr. Johnson's Dictionary, Baldrick's family tree, Baldrick's school, Index of Blackadder's finest insult etc...

For a Blackadder fan this surly is a must. It should be in every library and in every drama club! It's a lot of fun acting and there's so many to choose from - you'll never get bored! It's a jolly good read too!