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The script by Ben Elton and Richard Curtis is bittingly funny
and few actors can deliver vicious putdowns as well as Atkinson.
Laurie is wonderful as the dopey Prince, although you do
take a great deal of pleasure when he gets punched silly by
the Duke of Wellington (Stephen Fry) in the final episode.
Robinson, as Baldrick, is even more charmingly awful in this
third series and blissfully cops the savage barbs from Blackadder
with all the simplicity of a brain-damaged koala.
As usual there are a host of top-quality actors who make
guest appearances in the series and this time around they
include the aforementioned Fry, Nigel Planer and Robbie Coltrane.
The transfer on to DVD is the best of the BlackAdders, to
date, but still suffers from a lack of contrast. The sound
is clear and you can delight, without straining, at the vicious
asides from our hero.
If you like to have a good laugh, then this is well worth
the bikkies.
The Episodes
Dish and Dishonesty: Britain's newly elected PM, William
Pitt (the Younger) wants to strike the Prince Regent off the
civil list for his wanton ways. To battle the young upstart,
BlackAdder and the prince decide Baldrick should become an
MP for Dunny-on-the-World.
Ink and Incapability: Doctor Johnson's lifelong work
- a dictionary - creates all sorts of mayhem in the palace,
but does reveal BlackAdder's desire to become a writer.
Nob and Nobility: In his inimitable way, BlackAdder
gets himself offside with the toffs and takes a bet that he
would go to France and rescue an aristocrat from the Guillotine.
Who needs the the Scarlet Pimpernel when you have BlackAdder!
Sense and Senility: A bomb attack on the prince forces
BlackAdder to try to teach the royal oik about being nice
to people. Even the assistance of two professional thespians
may not be of much help.
Amy and Amiability: Financially stricken, yet again,
BlackAdder is forced to take to the road as a dangerous highwayman.
Needless to say, Dick Turpin, he ain't.
Duel and Duality: The Prince's days as a wastrel are
numbered as he gets offside with Britain's leading general
- The Duke of Wellington. The Iron Duke wants nothing more
than to kill him and so challenges him to a duel. Can BlackAdder
rescue the Prince this time?
Conclusion: Movie 85%, Extras 0%
Continued:
DVD details at a glance >
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