Blackadder: The Complete Collected Series

by Ben Elton

The complete soundtracks of all four Blackadder series, plus over three hours of specials and extras

Through the ages of Britain, from the 15th century to the 21st, Edmund Blackadder has meddled his way along the bloodlines, aided by his two imbecilic sidekicks, Lord Percy and Baldrick, and hindered by an assortment of dimwitted aristocrats. With cunning plans and cutting comedy, listen as the Blackadder dynasty plot their way through history…

The Black Adder – Set in the Middle Ages, this iconic first series follows the fictitious reign of King Richard IV, played by Brian Blessed, through the experiences of his unfavoured second son Prince Edmund “The Black Adder”

Blackadder II - The Blackadder genes resurface in Elizabethan England for more historical comedy

Blackadder the Third - Blackadder turns up as butler to the Prince Regent in the late 18th Century

Blackadder Goes Forth – The scheming Blackadder is dropped into the trenches during the First World War

Also included in this collection are eight Blackadder TV and radio Blackadder’s Christmas Carol, The Cavalier Years, Woman’s Hour Invasion, The Shakespeare Sketch, Back and Forth, The Army Years , I Have a Cunning Plan and the Blackadder instalment of the TV series Britain's Best Sitcom.

Written by film and TV royalty Richard Curtis, Ben Elton and Rowan Atkinson, and starring comedy giants Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Tim McInnerny, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Miranda Richardson, and Rik Mayall, this is history at its grittiest and funniest.

Track

Chapters 1-6: The Black Adder Chapters 7-12: Blackadder II Chapters 13-18: Blackadder the Third Chapters 19-24: Blackadder Goes Forth Chapter 25: Blackadder’s Christmas Carol Chapter 26: The Cavalier Years Chapter 27: Woman’s Hour Invasion Chapter 28: The Shakespeare Sketch Chapter 29: Back and Forth Chapter 30: The Army Years (Royal Variety Performance) Chapter 31: I Have a Cunning Plan Chapter 32: Britain's Best Sitcom Cast and credits
Written by Richard Curtis, Ben Elton and Rowan Atkinson

Edmund Blackadder - Rowan Atkinson
S. Baldrick - Tony Robinson
Melchett - Stephen Fry
Lord Percy Percy – Tim McInnerny
George – Hugh Laurie
Queen Elizabeth I / Various – Miranda Richardson

Including standout performances by Rik Mayall, Miriam Margolyes, Patsy Byrne, Brian Blessed, Robbie Coltrane, Jim Broadbent, Gabrielle Glaister, Elspet Gray, Robert East, Helen Atkinson-Wood, Bill Wallis, Stephen Frost, Mark Arden, Lee Cornes, Warren Clarke, Philip Pope, Barbara Miller, David Nunn, Denis Lill, Adrian Edmondson, Nigel Planer, Stephen Frost, Chris Barrie, Jeremy Hardy and Ben Elton.

Audible Audio

About the author

Ben Elton was born on 3 May 1959, in Catford, South London. The youngest of four, he went to Godalming Grammar School, joined amateur dramatic societies and wrote his first play at 15. He wanted to be a stagehand at the local theatre, but instead did A-Level Theatre Studies and studied drama at Manchester University in 1977.

His career as both performer and writer encompasses some of the most memorable and incisive comedy of the past twenty years. His groundbreaking work as a TV stand-up comedian set the (high) standard of what was to follow. He has received accolades for his hit TV sitcoms, The Young Ones, Blackadder and The Thin Blue Line.

More recently he has had successes with three hit West End musicals, including the global phenomenon We Will Rock You. He has written three plays for the London stage, including the multi-award-winning Popcorn. Ben's international bestselling novels include Stark, Inconceivable, Dead Famous and High Society. He won the Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger Award for the novel Popcorn.

Elton lives in Perth with his Aussie wife Sophie and three children.

Reviews

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have watched all of the episodes of Blackadder. Several times. I have the book with all of the scripts. Both in Hardcover and in Paperback. What was missing? Why the audible version of course! This timeless example of the best in British Humor excels no matter what medium it is presented in. Rowan Atkinson's, and later Ben Elton's, writing combined with the comedic talents of Tony Robinson, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Tim McInnerny, Rik Mayall and all the rest propel this series into the stratosphere.

For the uninitiated, Blackadder follows the exploits of one Edmond Blackadder throughout history. In different incarnations, but always with the same name, Edmond appears in the middle Ages, Elizabethan England, Georgian England, and during the First World War. (There are also two specials, one set in the late 1800s and another at the turn of the Millennium) In each the sly, crafty Blackadder and his dogsbody, Baldrick, attempt to better their lot through a variety of cunning plans.

The audible version, which is a perfect recording of all the broadcasts, which works well even off screen, also includes a couple of comic aid skits and some revealing interviews. The humor remains as fresh as ever and, as it works within the time period the episodes are set, does not grow old as there are no topical references. (Well one, but you will know it when you hear it) This is a superb set and, for newbies and fans alike, worth every penny.

[Gary Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant series that’s well written. Wish they would make more of them as there’s much more that they could explore!

[Cammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobooks and I must say the author is one of a kind. It was filled with wit and barbs. Had me holding my stomach from laughter. Now to watch the tv series.

[JC · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

It's an audio recording of the whole series. Worth it on Audible for a credit imho.

Would I recommend? Yes.
Would I reread? - Probably