BBC Blackadder’s ‘happy accident’ that gave series finale devastating twist
Blackadder is one of Britain's most iconic series, shooting the cast into superstardom, and the finale was etched in viewers' minds.
Like many classic sitcoms, Blackadder had its fair share of behind-the-scenes mishaps - yet one specific blunder resulted in an unforgettable moment in television history.
This beloved sitcom, which aired throughout the '80s, follows the clever and quick-witted Edmund Blackadder as he navigates different periods of history.
Each series brings a new setting, from the medieval backdrop of The Black Adder to the trenches of World War I in Blackadder Goes Forth. Written by comedy legends Richard Curtis and Ben Elton, the show is packed with unforgettable moments and clever one-liners. Rowan Atkinson delivers a brilliant performance as sly Blackadder, while Tony Robinson delivers constant laughs as the lovable but clueless Baldrick.
Of course, the show’s most memorable moment comes in the finale of Blackadder Goes Forth, where the comedy suddenly gives way to a poignant tribute to the soldiers of the war, creating a powerful and lasting impression on viewers.
However, the final scene didn't happen as planned. Although the cast filmed their dramatic last moments being gunned down, the footage was so badly shot that it was almost unusable. So the director was forced to take a different approach.
Set against the backdrop of World War I, the final scene depicts Captain Blackadder and his platoon preparing to go "over the top" for a potentially fatal assault.
The episode ends with the men standing in the trenches as the whistle blows, signaling the start of the attack. The screen then fades to black, and a field of poppies appears to reflect on the deaths of soldiers.
"The tone is just right," David Sims wrote for The A.V. Club of the series's final moments. "We don’t see them brutally cut down with machine gun fire (the set they’re running across is hardly pristine and the decision was made to cut away from it as quickly as possible), but the field of poppies is such a quietly devastating image in its own right."
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Earlier this year, writer Ben Elton hinted that he’d be open to creating a Blackadder play - provided creator Richard Curtis is interested. The 64-year-old comedian expressed enthusiasm for crafting an "original play" inspired by the TV series, rather than adapting any of the classic episodes.
He told The Sun newspaper: "A 'Blackadder' play, if Richard was keen on it, I’d be interested. Not an adaptation of episodes, it would be an original play." He continued: "When I wrote 'Upstart Crow' I did three series and three Christmas specials for TV, which was a load of writing, but I’m proud of the fact I then did an original play. If we were to do that with Adder it would be the same."
