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Blackadder: The Whole Damn Dynasty, 1485-1917
For many people under 35, their most vivid glimpses of Britain's illustrious history have been through the Blackadder chronicles which brightened television screens from 1983 to 1989. Their constantly reborn protagonist, Edmund Blackadder, flounced through a bloody Middle Ages, a campy Elizabethan court, even camper Regency revels, and the rat-infested trenches of the Great War, armed with only his repulsive servant Baldrick, and a fine line in complex insults ("you would bore the leggings off a village idiot"; "he's got a brain the size of a weasel's wedding tackle").
Now you can brush up your Blackadder with a fine collection of the complete scripts, interspersed with useful titbits on medieval torture instruments, the menu in Mrs Miggins' coffee house, and the Prince Regent's laundry list. Bereft of their familiar faces and voices, television comedy scripts often fall flat--and Blackadder without the rubber-faced consonant-spitting of its hero Rowan Atkinson is surely unthinkable. But here the Blackadder oeuvre, penned by Richard Curtis and various collaborators, stands up wonderfully.
Curtis's bizarre, surreal take on English history takes up where 1066 and All That left off, wickedly skewering venerable historical personages, and hilariously literalising the classic clichés of textbook history (marvel again at the Puritan Whiteadders sitting on spikes so they won't enjoy their dinner). Classily produced, and with royalties going to the entertainment charity fund, Comic Relief, this is one TV tie-in well worth getting. --Alan Stewart
455 pages, Paperback
First published November 5, 1998
32 people are currently reading
1458 people want to read
About the author
Richard Curtis
153 books81 followersRichard Whalley Anthony Curtis, CBE
Graduate of Harrow School and subsequently Christ Church, University of Oxford. Academy Award nominee and recipient of Emmy and BAFTA awards for screenwriting. He is also a director and producer. In 2007, he became a Fellow of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).
Graduate of Harrow School and subsequently Christ Church, University of Oxford. Academy Award nominee and recipient of Emmy and BAFTA awards for screenwriting. He is also a director and producer. In 2007, he became a Fellow of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
October 16, 2016
"A man may fight for many things: his country, his principles, his friends, the glistening tear on the cheek of a golden child. But personally I'd mud wrestle my own mother for a ton of cash, an amusing clock, and a sack of French porn."
-- Edmund Blackadder
Blackadder is this jingle in my head that is stuck on repeat. It can't NOT keep popping up now and then, playfully intruding on my life on a regular basis. Infinitely quotable, highly rewatchable, it is a British comedy series I pretty much know by heart by now. I'd even go as far as proclaiming my sense of humour in early childhood initially was solely derived from Blackadder's peculiar brand of witticisms and sarcastic insults. For that reason alone, to me it towers above all its peers -Fawlty Towers, Bottom, The Office , among others- with ease.
With the highest level of anxiety since Adolf found out his personal chef was of half-Jewish descent after having nibbled on an off-ish smelling Bratwurst, I decided to delve into the scripts of the original run, which comprises four historical periods. Would it hold up in written form, or fall flat like the scripts for say, Fawlty Towers did? The suspense was killing me.
Disclaimer: for once, I found the use of the normally irritating GIF format justified
I'm delighted to report it doesn't. In fact, it even manages to add to it. Odin be praised! Apart from the deadpan, often hilarious descriptions of actions and reactions from the viewpoint of an omniscient observer, there is also extra materal included ( aptly titled "The Other Bits" ): short overviews of how the Blackadder clan fared in the space between the various historical periods covered, a humorous piece on Medieval torture techniques, the lovable troglodyte Baldrick's family tree (nothing to boast about, naturally) etc..
I'll hold on to this volume until the day I die. In case of a catastrophic electrical grid failure, I'll still have my Blackadder to peruse with glee.
P.S. Also, is there a more poignant ending to a comedy show in existence than the anti-war episode "Goodbyee"? Just as strong and impactful in written form.
-- Edmund Blackadder
Blackadder is this jingle in my head that is stuck on repeat. It can't NOT keep popping up now and then, playfully intruding on my life on a regular basis. Infinitely quotable, highly rewatchable, it is a British comedy series I pretty much know by heart by now. I'd even go as far as proclaiming my sense of humour in early childhood initially was solely derived from Blackadder's peculiar brand of witticisms and sarcastic insults. For that reason alone, to me it towers above all its peers -Fawlty Towers, Bottom, The Office , among others- with ease.
With the highest level of anxiety since Adolf found out his personal chef was of half-Jewish descent after having nibbled on an off-ish smelling Bratwurst, I decided to delve into the scripts of the original run, which comprises four historical periods. Would it hold up in written form, or fall flat like the scripts for say, Fawlty Towers did? The suspense was killing me.
Disclaimer: for once, I found the use of the normally irritating GIF format justified
I'm delighted to report it doesn't. In fact, it even manages to add to it. Odin be praised! Apart from the deadpan, often hilarious descriptions of actions and reactions from the viewpoint of an omniscient observer, there is also extra materal included ( aptly titled "The Other Bits" ): short overviews of how the Blackadder clan fared in the space between the various historical periods covered, a humorous piece on Medieval torture techniques, the lovable troglodyte Baldrick's family tree (nothing to boast about, naturally) etc..
I'll hold on to this volume until the day I die. In case of a catastrophic electrical grid failure, I'll still have my Blackadder to peruse with glee.
P.S. Also, is there a more poignant ending to a comedy show in existence than the anti-war episode "Goodbyee"? Just as strong and impactful in written form.
October 29, 2019
Blackadder: the Whole Damn Dynasty , I've got to admit, it struck me as something to read just from the title alone. Primarily, this is just a book of all the scripts of all the episode - excluding the one-off special for the millennium, because that had't been made at the time. However, it deviates from being just a script book, into being something quite different by the fact that it fills in the gaps of all the Blackadder family members that we don't see, but are sometimes referenced in episodes. We find out how the line survived to when it did, and how each generation seemed further down the pecking scale than the one before, each story being told with the same humour you could expect from an episode proper
All in all, the book makes for a great read. Somehow just reading through the scripts brings the voices of all these fantastic characters jumping back into your head, and you can't help but grin at some of the stage direction as well. In my opinion, it is a book that's well worth getting a copy for any fan of comedy in general.
Also, if possible, can someone explain to be how "Goodbyeee" is somehow more poignant written down?
All in all, the book makes for a great read. Somehow just reading through the scripts brings the voices of all these fantastic characters jumping back into your head, and you can't help but grin at some of the stage direction as well. In my opinion, it is a book that's well worth getting a copy for any fan of comedy in general.
Also, if possible, can someone explain to be how "Goodbyeee" is somehow more poignant written down?
September 10, 2008
As laugh out loud funny as watching it - every second reading this was time well-spent.
September 23, 2020
4 out of 5 stars for this collection of Blackadder book scripts with bonus material.
My friend bought this for me many years ago knowing that I really enjoyed the TV series.
The first series wasn't as funny as those that followed it, in my opinion and that's why I've marked it down to 4 instead of 5 stars.
If you have seen any of these before it will help put some faces to the voices in the book. Very helpful for me as I am not a visual reader. nobody believes me when I say I've never experienced a single mental image when reading, but there it is.
The first series has Blackadder as the idiot, which was ok, but I think the writing improved with the later shows when Baldrick became the imbecile.
I could throw quotes at you from these scripts all day long but I won't do that;
"You'd probably rather have your tongue beaten wafer thin with a steak tenderiser and then stapled to the floor by a croquet hoop."
Baldrick; "Do you want to hear my war poem?"
Blackadder; "How hurt would you be if I gave the honest answer, which is I'd rather French-kiss a skunk?!"
Baldrick; "Oh, so would I, sir."
Blackadder; "Oh alright, fire away, Baldrick."
Ok, so I lied a bit, lol.
Reading these helped to lift my mood and spirits at a very difficult time. A lot of my friends on GR live in The States so they might not be familiar with this series. I urge you to give them a try. They are very funny.
Thanks for reading.
My friend bought this for me many years ago knowing that I really enjoyed the TV series.
The first series wasn't as funny as those that followed it, in my opinion and that's why I've marked it down to 4 instead of 5 stars.
If you have seen any of these before it will help put some faces to the voices in the book. Very helpful for me as I am not a visual reader. nobody believes me when I say I've never experienced a single mental image when reading, but there it is.
The first series has Blackadder as the idiot, which was ok, but I think the writing improved with the later shows when Baldrick became the imbecile.
I could throw quotes at you from these scripts all day long but I won't do that;
"You'd probably rather have your tongue beaten wafer thin with a steak tenderiser and then stapled to the floor by a croquet hoop."
Baldrick; "Do you want to hear my war poem?"
Blackadder; "How hurt would you be if I gave the honest answer, which is I'd rather French-kiss a skunk?!"
Baldrick; "Oh, so would I, sir."
Blackadder; "Oh alright, fire away, Baldrick."
Ok, so I lied a bit, lol.
Reading these helped to lift my mood and spirits at a very difficult time. A lot of my friends on GR live in The States so they might not be familiar with this series. I urge you to give them a try. They are very funny.
Thanks for reading.
February 10, 2007
Pure genius. Unlike The Complete Fawlty Towers, reading the scripts for Blackadder was just as entertaining - if not almost even more so! - as watching the show. A must-have for any fan.
March 5, 2008
Hooray for the Scarlet Pimpernel!
Hooray for having all the words to the entire series of Blackadder!
This is utter brilliance. Not only do you get all the words to the scripts they used in the show you get little things in the stage directions like the descriptions. The entire thing is utterly hilarious. It's great. A must for any Blackadder fan. If you can find it.
Hooray for having all the words to the entire series of Blackadder!
This is utter brilliance. Not only do you get all the words to the scripts they used in the show you get little things in the stage directions like the descriptions. The entire thing is utterly hilarious. It's great. A must for any Blackadder fan. If you can find it.
May 5, 2012
The only thing funnier than watching Black Adder, is reading it.
January 21, 2013
Blackadder is just so wonderful! I was as happy "as a man who thought a cat had done it's business on his pie, but it turned out to be an extra big blackberry", while reading the book.
June 30, 2013
If you're not familiar with Blackadder, your life is incomplete. That is all.
July 28, 2019
Blackadder: “Am I jumping the gun, Baldrick, or are the words ‘I have a cunning plan’ marching with ill-deserved confidence in the direction of this conversation?”
August 24, 2015
Surprisingly, these scripts give a better sense of the show than is often the case. Often, reading the script feels a bit like looking at a blueprint or schematic design, rather than at the thing itself. These scrips, though, read as very funny. Admittedly, I've seen most of the episodes, so I can "hear" the characters, but I doubt that is a major factor. I did realize, reading these, how extremely black the humour is--three of the four series end with most or all of the major characters dying after all! The bonus material is less interesting than the scripts thelmselves, but that hardly matters, since the scripts are so funny. A must-have for Blackadder fans, and probably for any fan of British situational comedy.
February 2, 2008
I laughed till my body ached...
The complete scripts of the Blackadder series - hilarious and brilliant,
The complete scripts of the Blackadder series - hilarious and brilliant,
May 24, 2019
"Blackadder: The Whole Damn Dynasty" събира пълните сценарии на всичките 24 епизода от култовия сериал. Освен тях има и немалко илюстрации, снимки и допълнителна любопитна информация: церовете за всички болежки през Средновековието (билки, пиявици и трион), любимите хора на кралица Елизабет I (всичките впоследствие биват екзекутирани от нея, с изключение на Графа на Улвърхамптън, William Vastcock; историята мълчи относно причината за близостта помежду им) и родословното дърво на неподлежащата на класификация биологична единица, Болдрик.
July 16, 2016
"Who do you think you are? Wat Tyler? You can have the afternoon off when you die. Not before."
"The lieutenant looks as all soldiers look on these occasions - about as feminine as W. G. Grace."
"This stuff's about as convincing as Dr Crippen's defence lawyer!"
...
I have watched the Blackadder series more than once, but some of the jokes included have always eluded me because of the speed with which things take place. The quotes above are examples of the sort of stuff that is likely to go over most people's heads if they just watch the show without interruptions (which is how it should be watched, in my opinion); for example I have read at least a couple of books dealing with the history of medieval England yet I had no idea who Wat Tyler ('a leader of the 1381 Peasants' Revolt in England', wiki tells me) was. Some people might think jokes that need to be explained are not funny; I rather approached examples like these (there aren't that many of them, but there are a few) as hidden gems that only added to the experience of reading the book. It was nice to see the material in writing, and it's in my opinion quite funny in writing too. If you like the show, then you'll probably also like this book.
"The lieutenant looks as all soldiers look on these occasions - about as feminine as W. G. Grace."
"This stuff's about as convincing as Dr Crippen's defence lawyer!"
...
I have watched the Blackadder series more than once, but some of the jokes included have always eluded me because of the speed with which things take place. The quotes above are examples of the sort of stuff that is likely to go over most people's heads if they just watch the show without interruptions (which is how it should be watched, in my opinion); for example I have read at least a couple of books dealing with the history of medieval England yet I had no idea who Wat Tyler ('a leader of the 1381 Peasants' Revolt in England', wiki tells me) was. Some people might think jokes that need to be explained are not funny; I rather approached examples like these (there aren't that many of them, but there are a few) as hidden gems that only added to the experience of reading the book. It was nice to see the material in writing, and it's in my opinion quite funny in writing too. If you like the show, then you'll probably also like this book.
January 13, 2012
I remember as children my brother and I, who were the biggest fans of this series imaginable, spent endless hours recreating the scenarios in this book with unfettered glee. Our parents didn't mind one jot if we said the bad words in the scripts, because they knew we didn't understand. In hindsight that may come off as abusive. Oh well, I had a ripping childhood at any rate.
This book is a treasure for fans of the series or just plain old British humour. The history is surprisingly well done, though it gets a bit silly very quickly. The extras included are quite satisfying as well.
This book is a treasure for fans of the series or just plain old British humour. The history is surprisingly well done, though it gets a bit silly very quickly. The extras included are quite satisfying as well.
October 7, 2009
You should watch the series first -- the actors add an awful lot to the characters.
Almost as hilarious in script form though :)
Almost as hilarious in script form though :)
July 2, 2023
A wonderful way to revisit the whole Blackadder series.
Funny, wry, witty writing, and easily imaginable as to the way the actors delivered each line.
The finale - Goodbyeeeeee - was as poignant in the reading as it was the first time I saw it.
Highly recommended.
Funny, wry, witty writing, and easily imaginable as to the way the actors delivered each line.
The finale - Goodbyeeeeee - was as poignant in the reading as it was the first time I saw it.
Highly recommended.
Read
October 6, 2020What is there to say? If you like Blackadder it’s great fun. All the familiar scripts, plus some handy additions.
December 13, 2023
Als fan van Blackadder is het verrassend leuk om de afleveringen te lezen. Je krijgt echt meer woordgrapjes mee en als je een aflevering maar vaak genoeg gezien hebt, dan zie je de karakters toch wel voor je!
August 18, 2010
Hi. This product description was expressly stolen by me from Amazon.com.
I added the irritatingly bold and italicized markup not too long after a coworker of mine, returning from a two week vacation, walked into the work environment facing the wrong direction. Not one to miss an opportunity I readily exclaimed "I see your (you're) back" to absolutely no one in particular.
As I was plainfacedly enjoying my spoken double entrée to no (know) end I realized that there was an eventual lesson to be learned: Double entrées can be addictive.
Review
The greatest work of fiction since vows of fidelity were included in the French marriage service. -- Edmund Blackadder
Product Description
Are you looking for a book that is as cunning as a fox that has just been made Professor Cunning at Oxford University?
Then look no further. Blackadder: The Whole Damn Dynasty is the book for you. Here, at last, for the first time, are the full scripts of one of British television's funniest comedies. Follow the hilarious misadventures of the despicable Edmund Blackadder and his dimwitted sidekick Baldrick through four centuries of hopelessly mangled English history: from medieval nastiness through Elizabethan and Regency glory, to the mud and sautéed rats of the First World War.
I added the irritatingly bold and italicized markup not too long after a coworker of mine, returning from a two week vacation, walked into the work environment facing the wrong direction. Not one to miss an opportunity I readily exclaimed "I see your (you're) back" to absolutely no one in particular.
As I was plainfacedly enjoying my spoken double entrée to no (know) end I realized that there was an eventual lesson to be learned: Double entrées can be addictive.
Review
The greatest work of fiction since vows of fidelity were included in the French marriage service. -- Edmund Blackadder
Product Description
Are you looking for a book that is as cunning as a fox that has just been made Professor Cunning at Oxford University?
Then look no further. Blackadder: The Whole Damn Dynasty is the book for you. Here, at last, for the first time, are the full scripts of one of British television's funniest comedies. Follow the hilarious misadventures of the despicable Edmund Blackadder and his dimwitted sidekick Baldrick through four centuries of hopelessly mangled English history: from medieval nastiness through Elizabethan and Regency glory, to the mud and sautéed rats of the First World War.
December 9, 2010
It is exactly what it says it is, so long as one carefully notes the dates in the title: this volume contains the full scripts, with asides and stage directions, for all four seasons of the Blackadder television series, along with most of the cast credits, and some supplemental material of similar humour, including a couple pages of connective introduction at the start of each season. It does not, however, contain any material from the several subsequent sequels, such as the specials Blackadder: The Cavalier Years or the Blackadder Christmas Special. For that, and the comparative dearth of pictures given that this was a TV show, I deduct one star. Otherwise, the show is damn near as funny in print as on the screen, especially when one has seen most of the episodes as many times as I have. Now I just need the DVD box set!
June 16, 2013
Now, don't get me wrong I am a huge fan of this series and ca't help but kill myself laughing whenever I watch them (even when I know what's going to happen), but I just couldn't get into the reading of this at all. I loved the extra scenes and lines that have been kept in comparison to the final cut and I really enjoyed the bonus material (especially the Index of Blackadder's Finest Insults) but I just find without the actual actors portraying these characters something is lost (this could just be my inability to really picture it as I read it, or the speed at which I read, who knows) and I just didn't find it as laugh out loud funny as the TV series itself. Having said that though, if you're one for reading scripts and other such material and/or and avid fan of the show I would certainly recommend you get stuck in.
June 2, 2015
Sinceramente, no sé cómo catalogar este libro. Después de leerlo vi la serie y sigo sin saberlo. Definitivamente, el humor inglés no es lo mío. Me pasa lo mismo con Mr. Bean y todo lo que hace Atkinson. Las historias tienen toques de humor que me han hecho sonreír, pero demasiado grosor de libro para lo que se cuenta. He de decir que las partes de la Edad Media y la época isabelina me han gustado más que las de la I Guerra Mundial.
December 20, 2012
Every screenplay from EVERY episode. Richard Curtis fills in the blanks too by telling us the story of the Blackadders between the series (those're 'seasons' to us yanks) as well as expounding on many other topics from the middle-ages rife with humor: Poor medical treatment, sloppy beheadings, disease, crude torture devices and corsets. Enjoy!
March 23, 2008
Am currently re-reading this book as a little light relief from all those pesky pregnancy/breastfeeding books. Saw these episodes so many times, I can practically hear the lines being recited as I read them. This book is keeping me reading way to late at night!
November 20, 2012
Read it and your mind 'which makes a grain of sand look large and ungainly' will truly appreciate Blackadder and his comrade's wit!!!
The script of the series takes a little getting used to but once you do, hahahahahahahah.
INGENIOUS!!!
The script of the series takes a little getting used to but once you do, hahahahahahahah.
INGENIOUS!!!
December 5, 2013
absolutely brilliant. I have seen the black adder series loads of times, I could really see what was happening and all the voices were being used as I was reading. very funny as expected and a great substitute to watching most of the crap being shown on t.v.
March 21, 2008
For anyone who loved Rowan Atkinson before he became silly Mr Bean... a must-read.
April 24, 2009
This collection of scripts is quite easy to read, and, like the performances, pure genius. It's worth buying for the all the extras, like Baldrick's family tree.
October 24, 2010
A full compilation of scripts from series 1-4 with some interesting and hilarious bits thrown in. If you're a Blackadder fan, you'll love this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews