Blackadder: The Cavalier Years
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| Blackadder: The Cavalier Years | |
|---|---|
 Title screen of Blackadder: The Cavalier Years |
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| Genre | Period, Situational comedy |
| Written by | Ben Elton Richard Curtis |
| Directed by | R. Boden |
| Starring | Rowan Atkinson Tony Robinson Stephen Fry Warren Clarke Harry Enfield (Narrator) |
| Theme music composer | Howard Goodall |
| Country of origin | UK |
| Language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | John Lloyd |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 15 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | BBC |
| Picture format | PAL (576i) |
| Audio format | Monaural sound |
| First shown in | 05/02/1988 |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | Blackadder II |
| Followed by | Blackadder the Third |
| External links | |
| IMDb profile | |
Blackadder: The Cavalier Years was a 15 minute one-off edition of Blackadder set during the English Civil War, shown as part of Comic Relief's Red Nose Day on Friday February 5, 1988.
The episode included Season regulars Rowan Atkinson as Blackadder and Tony Robinson as Baldrick, and Stephen Fry playing King Charles I. Warren Clarke guest-starred as Oliver Cromwell.
[edit] Plot
The Episode begins in November 1648. King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland has already lost the Civil War. Only two men remain loyal to him: Sir Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson), the sole descendant of the Blackadder dynasty at the time and his servant Baldrick (Tony Robinson). They have given refuge to the King in Blackadder Hall, having falsely assured him that he is as likely to be caught "as a fox being chased by a pack of one-legged hunting tortoises". Sir Edmund remains loyal because as a known royalist he sees the King as his only hope of survival. He also fears the spread of Puritanism, full of moral prohibitions (as he describes it). During Sir Edmund's short absence, Oliver Cromwell (Warren Clarke) himself arrives at Blackadder Hall, accompanied by a number of his Roundheads - supporters to the Parliament of England. He is personally investigating the King's whereabouts. Baldrick fails to convince him that he has no idea (by claiming he did not know and asking Cromwell later to put down a cup, "because it's the king's"). Between this and the following scene Cromwell discovers and arrests the King.
The second scene takes place in the Tower of London, two weeks later. King Charles's prayers are interrupted by two subsequent visits. The first is by Cromwell who warns him of his doom and the second by Sir Edmund, disguised as a priest. He informs the King that he is planning his escape. While Sir Edmund is still there the King receives a notice that he has been sentenced to death. (Despite its placement in late November or early December 1648 within the context of this episode, historically King Charles' sentence to death came on January 27, 1649).
As January 29, 1649 arrives and his execution approaches, King Charles is again visited by Sir Edmund. Though his plans for an escape haven't materialised he informs the King that there is still some hope. The Parliament has yet to find a man willing to be the King's executioner. Charles, rather philosophically, proclaims that he isn't looking forward to his execution but "It's a question of balance, isn't it? Like so many other things" (Charles, played by Stephen Fry, is very much a pastiche of his modern day namesake the Prince of Wales). Sir Edmund proceeds in assuring Charles that no one would dare to become the King's executioner. Just as he says that, the King receives a notice that they found his executioner.
Back at Blackadder Hall, Baldrick is singing as Sir Edmund proclaims his life to be in ruins. While Baldrick informs him that he has accepted a job, Sir Edmund wonders who could be so utterly without heart and soul, so low and degraded, as to behead the King of England. As his own words sink in, he questions Baldrick, who admits that it was he who accepted the position. (Historically King Charles' executioner was Richard Brandon.) Baldrick explains to the reasonably enraged Blackadder that he has a cunning plan to save the King. He presents Sir Edmund with a huge pumpkin, poorly painted to represent a human face. He plans to place it on the King's head and chop it instead. Sir Edmund dismisses the plan, as Baldrick will have to hold the monarch's head in front of the crowd, and criticizes Baldrick's stupidity ("Your head is as empty as a eunuch's underpants"). Baldrick, though saddened, says that at least the money, £1000, is good. Sir Edmund's greed awakens, and he proceeds to take the money from Baldrick, announcing that he will replace him as the executioner. (From this point Sir Edmund, who has hitherto shown uncharacteristic touches of conscience, behaves like a typical Blackadder.)
January 30, 1649, King Charles' day of execution, arrives. King Charles is left alone for a few minutes with his executioner (Sir Edmund in a hood and with a false voice). Sir Edmund takes advantage of these minutes to relieve the King of his remaining wealth. The King recognizes him, but mistakes Blackadder's intentions and congratulates him for trying to save him even at the last minute, before giving him custody of his infant son, the later King Charles II of England, Scotland and Ireland. (Historically he was 19 years old at the time of his father's death). As he cannot explain his betrayal to the King, Sir Edmund panics and uses the plan that Baldrick had suggested earlier. The camera then focuses on Baldrick, who is listening to the sounds of the execution. Sir Edmund chops the pumpkin and proclaims that "This is the head of a traitor". Predictably enough, the crowd answers him, "No, it's not! It's a huge pumpkin with a pathetic moustache drawn on it!". Sir Edmund apologises and says he will try again. Baldrick continues to listen as Sir Edmund Blackadder beheads King Charles I and the crowd cheers.
As the last scene begins, Sir Edmund and Baldrick have returned to Blackadder Hall. A disgusted Blackadder cradles the infant Charles in his hands. Baldrick tries to console him by saying that at least he tried and that now the future of the British monarchy lies fast asleep in his arms in the person of this infant prince. He suggests to his master that he should be ready to escape to France, because as a known Royalist he is in danger of being arrested by the Roundheads and beheaded. Sir Edmund, who apparently had forgotten that he is in a position of danger, immediately rises from his seat, ready to take action. But it is too late; Roundheads are already at the Hall's doors demanding his surrender. Sir Edmund explains to Baldrick that there is no choice for a man of honour but to stand and fight, and die in defence of his future sovereign. However, as a Blackadder, he was never a man of honour. Passing the prince to Baldrick, he proceeds to remove his long black hair (which was apparently a wig), his false moustache and beard, to reveal a Roundhead appearance - short blond hair and a clean-shaven face. Thus unrecognisable, when a Roundhead enters the room he denounces Baldrick as "royalist scum". The episode ends with a hapless Baldrick, still holding the Prince in his arms, being approached by the Roundhead, sword drawn.
[edit] External links
- Blackadder: The Cavalier Years (1988) at the Internet Movie Database
- Transcript and information at Blackadderhall.com
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