Blackadder Goes Forth (1989)

Blackadder Goes Forth is a sharp, darkly comic British sitcom set in the trenches of World War I (1917). The series follows the cynical, quick-witted Captain Edmund Blackadder as he schemes to survive—and preferably escape—the daily absurdities and deadly boredom of life at the front. Sharing a dugout with the hopelessly eager Lieutenant George and the dim, loyal Private Baldrick, Blackadder’s dry sarcasm and elaborate “get-out” plans collide with military pomposity, bureaucratic incompetence, and the ultra-patriotic bluster of his superiors. Viewers can expect razor‑smart wordplay, farcical situations, and running gags built around Baldrick’s hilariously bad “cunning plans” and Blackadder’s exasperated attempts to outwit fate. The series skewers class, military ritual, and blind leadership with bitter wit—one moment you’ll be laughing at the characters’ comic misadventures, the next you’ll feel the uncomfortable sting of the wartime setting and the human cost behind the jokes. Tonally, it moves between broad comedy and cutting satire, with performances that highlight both the foolishness and the tragedy of trench life. Be prepared for an emotional shift: while much of the show is uproarious, it culminates in a quietly powerful, poignant conclusion that reframes the humor and leaves a lasting impression. Overall, Blackadder Goes Forth is entertaining, clever, and unexpectedly moving—a comedy that makes you laugh and then think.

Actors: Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, Stephen Fry

Genres: Comedy, War

8.8 /10 8.8 /10