"BlackAdder The Third" isn't as highly regarded as other entries but it perhaps my personal favorite. It was this one that got me interested in the entire "BlackAdder" series to begin with. Not to mention that it is a fine showcase for two comedic talents, Rowan Atkinson and Hugh Laurie. It manages to be witty, cleverly written, wonderfully acted, and just first-class all around.
Set during the Regency Period, Rowan Atkinson returns as Mr. E. Blackadder Esquire who is Butler to Prince Regent, the son of Mad King George. Many complain about not seeing Tim McInnerny's Percy but I think Hugh Laurie's delightfully dumb Prince of Wales more than makes up for it. We also get to see Tony Robinson's Baldrick again as his loyal and "mousebrained" sidekick who happens to be the dogsbody of the house.
The writing team of Richard Curtis and Ben Elton continue their mastery of great sarcastic humor. The dialog remains razor sharp as it is full of one-liners every minute. The situations are also immensely funny too such as Baldrick getting elected as lord of a rotten borough, an important dictionary accidentally thrown in the fireplace, or when Blackadder rescues the Scarlet Pimpernel. I especially laughed hard when two thespian actors have wart off evil spirits every time they hear the word "Macbeth". The supporting actors that appear in the episodes are also a lot of fun such as Robbie Coltrane as Dr. Johnson and Stephen Fry as the Duke of Wellington (Fry played Melchett in BlackAdder II). Favorite episodes were "Dish and Dishonesty," "Sense and Senility," and "Dual and Duality."
With the strongest plots and the strongest laughs, "Black Adder The Third" is no doubt one of the most hysterical period pieces ever made as well as another shining example of how the "BlackAdder" series remains a masterpiece in British Comedy.
Set during the Regency Period, Rowan Atkinson returns as Mr. E. Blackadder Esquire who is Butler to Prince Regent, the son of Mad King George. Many complain about not seeing Tim McInnerny's Percy but I think Hugh Laurie's delightfully dumb Prince of Wales more than makes up for it. We also get to see Tony Robinson's Baldrick again as his loyal and "mousebrained" sidekick who happens to be the dogsbody of the house.
The writing team of Richard Curtis and Ben Elton continue their mastery of great sarcastic humor. The dialog remains razor sharp as it is full of one-liners every minute. The situations are also immensely funny too such as Baldrick getting elected as lord of a rotten borough, an important dictionary accidentally thrown in the fireplace, or when Blackadder rescues the Scarlet Pimpernel. I especially laughed hard when two thespian actors have wart off evil spirits every time they hear the word "Macbeth". The supporting actors that appear in the episodes are also a lot of fun such as Robbie Coltrane as Dr. Johnson and Stephen Fry as the Duke of Wellington (Fry played Melchett in BlackAdder II). Favorite episodes were "Dish and Dishonesty," "Sense and Senility," and "Dual and Duality."
With the strongest plots and the strongest laughs, "Black Adder The Third" is no doubt one of the most hysterical period pieces ever made as well as another shining example of how the "BlackAdder" series remains a masterpiece in British Comedy.