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Blackadder: The Cavalier Years

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Blackadder: The Cavalier Years
Title screen of Blackadder: The Cavalier Years
GenrePeriod, sitcom
Written byRichard Curtis
Ben Elton
Directed byMandie Fletcher
StarringRowan Atkinson
Tony Robinson
Stephen Fry
Warren Clarke
Narrated byHarry Enfield
Theme music composerHoward Goodall
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerJohn Lloyd
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time15 minutes
Original release
NetworkBBC1
Release5 February 1988 (1988-02-05)
Related

Blackadder: The Cavalier Years is a 15-minute one-off edition of Blackadder set during the English Civil War, shown as part of the first Comic Relief Red Nose Day on BBC1, broadcast on Friday 5 February 1988.[1] The show featured Warren Clarke as a guest star.[2]

Plot

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Royalist Sir Edmund Blackadder provides refuge to the King Charles I of England following his defeat in the English Civil War, fearing for his own survival and the spread of Puritanism. Oliver Cromwell and the Roundheads suddenly arrive at Blackadder Hall during Edmund's brief absence. Edmund's servant, Baldrick, accidentally reveals Charles' presence. Two weeks later, at the Tower of London, King Charles is informed that he has been sentenced to death. In disguise, Edmund tells Charles that he plans to help him escape.

As King Charles' execution approaches, Edmund assures the King that Parliament won't find a willing executioner, but they are suddenly told that one has been found. At Blackadder Hall, Edmund ponders who could behead Charles, and questions Baldrick into admitting that it is him. Baldrick tells Edmund that he plans to fake the execution using a pumpkin. Edmund chastises Baldrick, takes his £1000 wage, and announces that he will take Baldrick's place.

On the day of Charles' execution, Edmund, dressed as the executioner, takes the King's remaining wealth. However, Charles recognizes him, misjudges Edmund's intentions, and thanks him for his help while also giving Edmund custody of his infant son. Edmund panics and uses Baldrick's plan, which fails to fool the crowd. Edmund apologizes, says he will try again, and successfully beheads the King.

Edmund and Baldrick return to Blackadder Hall. Disgusted by his actions, Edmund cradles Charles' son. Baldrick tries to console him by saying that the future of the British monarchy lies in his hands. He then suggests that Edmund flee to France to escape persecution by the Roundheads. Edmund rises from his seat but finds the Roundheads are already there, demanding his surrender. Sir Edmund tells Baldrick that a man of honour should die in defence of his future sovereign before suddenly disguising himself as a Roundhead. Cromwell enters the room, denounces Baldrick as a Royalist, and draws his sword.

Cast

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Production

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"Blackadder: The Cavalier Years" was recorded on 10 January 1988.[4]

Fry based his interpretation of King Charles on the then Prince of Wales, but now King Charles III.[2] In series chronology, this episode takes place between the second and third series of the show, although it was produced after the third series had aired. The kitchen set is a redress of the servants' quarters from the third series. A behind the scenes studio tape was found in 2019 and was released by Kaleidoscope on their YouTube channel.[5]

References

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  1. ↑ "BBC Programme Index - A Night of Comic Relief". BBC. Retrieved 10 February 2025.[dead link]
  2. 1 2 "Blackadder - The Cavalier Years - TheTVDB.com". TheTVDB.com. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  3. ↑ "Blackadder: The Cavalier Years (TV Short 1988) - "Cast" credits - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  4. ↑ https://www.gettyimages.ae/photos/blackadder-the-cavalier-years Filming date included in description(s).
  5. ↑ "Blackadder The Cavalier Years Part One". Kaleidoscope. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
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