Blackadder

Editor Reviews

• Hollis Crane

  Rating: 5

  5

  July 8, 2025

  Blackadder is a classic British historical comedy series starring Rowan Atkinson as various incarnations of the scheming, cynical Edmund Blackadder, always accompanied by his dim-witted sidekick Baldrick. While the series spans different historical periods (from the late Middle Ages to the early 20th century), the fourth and final series, Blackadder Goes Forth, is set in the trenches of World War I. This season uses the grim backdrop of the Western Front for its dark, satirical humor. Captain Blackadder is stuck in the trenches, desperately trying to avoid being sent 'over the top' into certain death. The humor comes from his cynical attempts to escape the front, the incompetence of his superiors, the absurdity of military life, and the interactions with his eccentric fellow officers and the ever-loyal, if simple, Baldrick. While primarily a comedy, Blackadder Goes Forth is also a sharp critique of the futility and tragic waste of life in WWI. Despite the jokes, there's an underlying sense of melancholy and impending doom that culminates in a famous, poignant final scene. It's not a series about the experience of war in the way a drama or documentary is, but it uses a specific war setting to deliver brilliant satire and memorable characters. It's a must-watch for fans of British comedy and offers a unique, darkly humorous perspective on the First World War.