Blackadder Goes Forth (1989)

                         

Cast
Complete series cast summary:
  Rowan Atkinson  ...  Captain Edmund Blackadder (6 episodes, 1989) 
  Tony Robinson  ...  Private S Baldrick (6 episodes, 1989) 
  Stephen Fry  ...  General Melchett (6 episodes, 1989) 
  Hugh Laurie  ...  Lieutenant The Honourable George Colthurst St. Barleigh (6 episodes, 1989) 
  Tim McInnerny  ...  Captain Kevin Darling (6 episodes, 1989) 

Storyline

It is 1917, and lunatic General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett is leading the British troops at the front lines against the Germans, while everyone waits for Field Marshall Haig's big push. There are various emotions throughout the camp about it. For Captain Kevin Darling, Melchett's bull-dog-like right-hand man, it makes no difference, as it appears he will be safe and sound with the general when the big push occurs. For Lieutenant George Colhurst Saint Barleigh, he is overly excited at thrashing the Germans. For Private S. (probably for Sod-Off) Baldrick, it's a terrifying experience he is not looking forward to. For Captain Edmund Blackadder, however, it's something he's too cowardly too face. Self-centered, arrogant, and sarcastic, Blackadder is always constantly searching for a way out of this silly war, and will try various, often crazy, variations on escape...

My favorite of the Blackadder series (I love 'em all!). A very funny series about a rather grim subject. Rowan Atkinson, better known in the States for his Mr. Bean character, shows here (as in his other Blackadder incarnations) that he's as good at verbal comedy as he is at physical comedy. This series is funny all the way up to its somewhat surprising ending. Also, very illuminating to me as an American regarding the British slant on the war to end all wars...