angelab Posted 31 May , 2010 Share Posted 31 May , 2010 In case you missed it, there was a good BBC1 programme last night (30 May) on the making of Black Adder, marking - unbelievably - the 25th anniversary of the programme. It covered all the series, from the first - less successful - one set in the Middle Ages to the poignant final one set in the trenches of WWI. Ben Elton and John Lloyd talked about how they envisioned that final series, while standing in - I think - the cemeteries at La Targette. You hear how the role of Captain Darling came to life, once the character's name was changed from "Carrington". And Stephen Fry says that the portrayal of an elderly general could only have been so comic if played - as it was - by a 27-year-old. I expect it's on BBC iPlayer for the rest of the week. Angela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 31 May , 2010 Share Posted 31 May , 2010 I didn't watch all of it. I was troubled, however, by (in the bit I did say) an allegation that the series' were used as a resource in history lessons. Says it all, really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Upton Posted 31 May , 2010 Share Posted 31 May , 2010 You hear how the role of Captain Darling came to life, once the character's name was changed from "Carrington". "Cartwright" actually : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Darling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Gorst Posted 31 May , 2010 Share Posted 31 May , 2010 I didn't watch all of it. I was troubled, however, by (in the bit I did say) an allegation that the series' were used as a resource in history lessons. Says it all, really. Depends what it is used for - if it is used as 'this is how it was it was' then that is clearly bats but, on the other hand, it is used as 'this is how the first world war has been represented' or compare and contrast the representation of the first world war in 'Oh what a Lovely War' and 'Blackadder' then I don't have a problem with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moggs Posted 31 May , 2010 Share Posted 31 May , 2010 Haven't seen the anniversary program but I remember well the final episode of the last series in the trench - particularly the final scene. It may not have been historically correct but the message was loud and clear - the futility of war amidst the courage and self sacrifice of the individual men. The poignancy of that last moment will stay with me for ever. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelab Posted 31 May , 2010 Author Share Posted 31 May , 2010 "Cartwright" actually : Whoops! What tricks memory can play! a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
59165 Posted 31 May , 2010 Share Posted 31 May , 2010 Haven't seen the anniversary program but I remember well the final episode of the last series in the trench - particularly the final scene. It may not have been historically correct but the message was loud and clear - the futility of war amidst the courage and self sacrifice of the individual men. I concur but,hmm.Say, in the future,it was followed as;"the futility of war amidst the fear of being shot by your own side if you didn't go over the top". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moggs Posted 31 May , 2010 Share Posted 31 May , 2010 I concur but,hmm.Say, in the future,it was followed as;"the futility of war amidst the fear of being shot by your own side if you didn't go over the top". There is that aspect too but somehow it was not conveyed in such an obvious manner - there was still the sense of duty no matter the cost. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigelS Posted 12 February , 2011 Share Posted 12 February , 2011 I believe this is the programme now being shown on BBC2 (8-9pm 12th February) & IIRC the programme ends with how the WWI 'over the top' ending to the final programme was created. (should just be able to catch this if you tune in NOW! Otherwise probably on iPlayer) NigelS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 12 February , 2011 Share Posted 12 February , 2011 Blackadder Rides Again Really enjoyed it, and very interesting. Ben Elton's Grandfather won the Iron cross? Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piorun Posted 12 February , 2011 Share Posted 12 February , 2011 As a Jewish German, too. Makes you think about the irony (no pun intended). Cheers, Antony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimSmithson Posted 13 February , 2011 Share Posted 13 February , 2011 In looking for papers in the Imperial War museum catalogue came across 2 entries only 2 or 3 catalogue pages away from each other. Firstly a Captain Darling and then later Private Blackadder - you couldn't write it any better! I chuckled at the thought of anyone calling across to the young officer in the same way as in the programme. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Tucker Posted 13 February , 2011 Share Posted 13 February , 2011 Three Baldricks also served Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonraker Posted 6 October , 2012 Share Posted 6 October , 2012 There's an article in the Daily Telegraph Review today called "Gargantuan imbecility" about the making of the final Blackadder TV series, the one covering the Great War. It states that "the writers decided that historical research was a necessity for the first time". Rowan Atkinson is quoted as saying: "of all the periods we covered it was the most historically accurate ... It may sound ridiculous for someone to face a court martial for shooting a pigeon, but madder things happened. in reality. Towards the end of the war 30 soldiers were court-martialled and shot in France by our own side for not wearing a hat in the trenches. It is so absurd nobody would even believe it." I can understand shooting a pigeon (which might have been carrying an important message) would have been a serious offence - to do so in Britain might incur a fine - but being shot for not wearing a hat? Perhaps "helmet" was meant, and I can understand a soldier being in trouble for not wearing such protection in the trenches. Moonraker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 6 October , 2012 Share Posted 6 October , 2012 It is so absurd nobody would even believe it." Hopefully that proves to be true and Atkinson is shown to be simply gobbing off inaccurately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Filsell Posted 6 October , 2012 Share Posted 6 October , 2012 The problem is it wil lbe repeated - endlessly. Michael Murpogo will prbably base a book on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Maria Posted 7 October , 2012 Share Posted 7 October , 2012 "I can understand shooting a pigeon (which might have been carrying an important message) would have been a serious offence - to do so in Britain might incur a fine - but being shot for not wearing a hat? Perhaps "helmet" was meant, and I can understand a soldier being in trouble for not wearing such protection in the trenches".(Quote Moonraker #14) I am reading "Joffrey's war at the moment and he recalls his platoon officer taking off his tin hat and laying on the fire step during a shrapnel bombardment and saying to his men "Now's the time to take your hat off and get a nice little one in the head!".They were not sure if he were brave,an idiot,or just wanted a "blighty". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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