Blackadder: The Complete Collected Series

By: Ben Elton, Richard Curtis

Narrated by: full cast, Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson

Length: 15 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's Summary

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 servant and sidekick, Baldrick, and hindered by an assortment of dimwitted aristocrats. Now the complete history of Blackadder is collected together, including the four TV series: The Black Adder, Blackadder II, Blackadder the Third and Blackadder Goes Forth plus the special TV and radio episodes Blackadder’s Christmas Carol, Blackadder: The Cavalier Years, Blackadder: Woman’s Hour Invasion, The Shakespeare Sketch, Blackadder: Back and Forth, Blackadder: The Army Years (Royal Variety Performance) and Blackadder: I Have a Cunning Plan. Even included is the Blackadder instalment of the TV series Britain's Best Sitcom.

Starring Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry, Tim McInnerny, Rik Mayall and Miranda Richardson. Written by Richard Curtis, Ben Elton and Rowan Atkinson. This is history at its grubbiest and funniest.

©2019 Richard Curtis, Ben Elton (P)2019 BBC Worldwide Ltd

Just so you know...

This is only an audio recording of the actual TV show.

If you do not know the TV show well, you won’t be able to follow this audio recording.

Not to mention many of the jokes are visual so you certainly won’t know what is going on there.

Doesn't work so well as an Audiobook

This presentation is taken verbatim from the brilliant television series and doesn't really work as an audiobook, especially as it was written for Atkinson who is a very visual comic (think Mr.Bean who is actually silent).
Often, the script itself isn't particularly funny but the audience are howling with laughter so you know something visual is going on but frustratingly, you are not in on it.
There is also more cross talk, sound effects and music than you would usually expect in an audio only production and although you can follow the plot, the sound of a horse galloping or a sword sweeping, doesn't really let you know what's going on.
It's a shame it isn't a radio adaptation because as it is, it's a pale version of the Black Adder we all loved.

26 people found this helpful

It's not a Book, or a Radio Series!

There are a number who think that this not suitable for Audible, because it's a either a poor adaptation or poorly performed, and have taken as fact that it lists it as being narrated by the full cast.

Well you need to read the full description of the title guys. It's the Soundtrack of the four series and specials. It's exactly like having it on TV but wearing a blindfold.

It's not adapted for radio, it's not a book being narrated, this is just the soundtrack from the TV episodes.

If you watched the TV series then you need to close your eyes and remember the scenes you watched on TV.

If you have not seen any of the series then you will just need to use your imagination a bit more, either that or go out and buy the complete boxed set of DVDs of all the series and specials.

That being said, for those who love the characters and performers this stuff is priceless, and before long you will be quoting Blackadder at will, especially his put downs of Baldrick.

7 people found this helpful

So funny

I read a review here that said this was not suitable for an audiobook and that you would need to see visuals to understand what is happening every now and then. I do not agree with that, those "scenes" were few and far between and I could perfectly understand what was happening from the context. I really enjoyed this, and laughed out quite a few times. Rowan Atkinson really is a master of humour, and the only downside to this is that there is no more material to purchase.

6 people found this helpful

Loved it, but........

A lot of what makes the tv show so great are Rowan's facial expressions and the show's comic observations and while I found it easy to visualise the shows scenes, listening to each episode can't compare to what is one of the best comedy shows ever produced

3 people found this helpful

Does not work

Black Adder is great to watch but, as so much of the humour is in the visual aspect, it just does not work on Audible.
Sorry to say, I will be returning this title

2 people found this helpful

Brilliant collection.

Brilliant collection, would be better with chapter titles added to easier navigate between episodes for relistening.

2 people found this helpful

Not suitable for Audible

Although I'm a massive fan of the Blackadder series it does not lend itself to an Audible experience

great book

I would highly recommend this book if your a fan of Rowan Atkinson a great book.