Blackadder Goes Forth

[gtr-gaz]

If you want to really know the sacrifice millions of men made in WW1, then watch the last episode in this series.

A far, far better reminder than any Rememberance Service.

[Herbie58]

I cry every time I watch this, such a contrast to the dark survival humour of the rest of the writing, it's a stark reminder.

Must get the box set.

[dirty doug]

Couldn't agree more. The most poignant moment in British TV comedy history especially if you have watched all 4 series. And always remember, even if you don't know it, a member of your family died in that war.

[J-c]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ba-64h6d6Q

[Halb]

True. It is in my top moments from telly. Very moving and also funny.

[southendpier]

In "the making of" thing they did on the bbc a while back they showed how that last scene was supposed to play out with each memeber being shot, blown up - the hammy acting looked terrible and the effects were just wrong - o they quite rightly slowed the last scene down added the noises and left it to your imagination.

Brilliant.

[Don]

Halb said:

True. It is in my top moments from telly. Very moving and also funny.

It's an amazing scene. I have often wondered if they knew when they were making it. It's not often you see a switch from genuinely hilarious to deeply moving in such a short time. I think that's part of it's impact.

[Schmeeky]

I agree, it's one of the most moving pieces of TV around, always gets me welling up.

[bigTee]

Very much agree.

Shall be watching that in my lunch break i think

[james_tigerwoods]

Blackadder said:

Who would notice another madman around here?

How very true.

[Halb]

Don said:

Halb said:

True. It is in my top moments from telly. Very moving and also funny.

It's an amazing scene. I have often wondered if they knew when they were making it. It's not often you see a switch from genuinely hilarious to deeply moving in such a short time. I think that's part of it's impact.

Have you ever seen the Blackadder doc (on a few weeks ago) where they discuss this scene, and how it all came aboot?

[Don]

Halb said:

Don said:

Halb said:

True. It is in my top moments from telly. Very moving and also funny.

It's an amazing scene. I have often wondered if they knew when they were making it. It's not often you see a switch from genuinely hilarious to deeply moving in such a short time. I think that's part of it's impact.

Have you ever seen the Blackadder doc (on a few weeks ago) where they discuss this scene, and how it all came aboot?

Bits of it. Not the whole thing. When it comes on again I will watch it..

[Negative Creep]

What always strikes me is that despite Blackadder basically being a coward and repeatedly trying to avoid battle, when it comes to it he does his duty with no fuss

[Quaint]

I think it is an excellent episode of an excellent programme, and as has been said, the gear-change from the usual Blackadder humour to something far darker is impressively carried off.

However, I do object to it being conflated with history. The whole two-dimensional "Oh! What A Lovely War" / lions-led-by-donkeys / senseless beastliness view of the First War is at best tendentious and at worst an insult to those who fought in it. Partly because it is incorrect to assume, on the basis of programmes like this, that the First War was in any way unique for its unpleasantness...

[Schmeeky]

Quaint said:

I think it is an excellent episode of an excellent programme, and as has been said, the gear-change from the usual Blackadder humour to something far darker is impressively carried off.

However, I do object to it being conflated with history. The whole two-dimensional "Oh! What A Lovely War" / lions-led-by-donkeys / senseless beastliness view of the First War is at best tendentious and at worst an insult to those who fought in it. Partly because it is incorrect to assume, on the basis of programmes like this, that the First War was in any way unique for its unpleasantness...

Indeed - I watched a program last night about the evolution of ground warfare, and it seems the bods in charge regularly use the tactics of the previous war. For example, at Gettysburg they used the first rifled muskets and fought as if they were smoothbore muskets ie at a very close range, leading to absolute carnage. So their idea was to start digging trenches...