Private Plane (Blackadder)
Encyclopedia
"Private Plane" is the fourth episode of Blackadder Goes Forth
, the fourth series of the BBC
sitcom Blackadder
.
's rest, and which he says will not help as 'Jerry is safe underground'. Shortly after it stops, an air raid begins. After Blackadder leaves an angry message for the head of the Flying Corps ("Message reads 'Where are you, you bastard?'"), believing that it was a German air raid, he is not thrilled to learn that it was simply a display by the Flying Corp. Shortly afterwards, the brash and egocentric Squadron Commander, Lord Flashheart
(Rik Mayall
), crash lands by the dug-out. Baldrick
and George are enraptured by Flashheart, though Blackadder is completely unimpressed. As Flashheart leaves with Bob
, Flashheart offers George a place in the Royal Flying Corps
. Initially uninterested, Blackadder is more agreeable when he learns of the "20 Minuters" squadron, so named because new pilots only spend 20 minutes in the air.
At Staff HQ, Blackadder tries to join the Flying Corps; Captain Darling tries to stop him, but General Melchett
allows the transfer. At basic training the next day, Blackadder learns that the flight instructor is Flashheart, and that the actual reason for the name 'Twenty Minuters' is because the 20 minutes is the life expectancy
of a new pilot. Darling at this point assures Blackadder that so long as he has a good navigator
, he'll be fine. However, much to Darling's glee, the navigator is Baldrick.
Shortly after takeoff, both Blackadder and Baldrick are shot down by a red plane, and captured by Baron von Richthofen
(Adrian Edmondson
), who wants to learn the subtleties of British humour
. He informs them of their fate, which entails teaching home economics
to young German girls in a convent outside Heidelberg
, which he thinks will be a fate worse than death to a British soldier; Blackadder feigns sorrow, but he is, of course, overjoyed.
George, in the meantime, attempts to rescue Blackadder with the help of Darling and Melchett, but is informed that it would be pointless. He is shown a map showing the land they have recaptured — 17 square feet, in actual size. He is more successful in recruiting Lord Flashheart, who swiftly rescues Blackadder and Baldrick. Blackadder tries to stall them and get himself recaptured, but Flashheart is not fooled and forces Blackadder out the door. Unfortunately, Richthofen appears and confronts Flashheart, comparing the nobility and majesty of their calling. In response, Flashheart shoots von Richthofen and calls him "a poof".
Back at HQ, Flashheart headbutts Darling into unconsciousness to get back at him for not rescuing them sooner. He then leaves, advising Blackadder to take something if he wants it (a principle he demonstrates with Bob). Melchett appears, at which point Blackadder asks for some time off to recuperate. Melchett agrees, stating that Blackadder's commanding officer would have to be mad to refuse. However, when Blackadder reminds Melchett that he is Blackadder's commanding officer, Melchett refuses.
Shortly before they are captured, while they are flying, a white car can be seen driving on the ground.
Blackadder Goes Forth
Blackadder Goes Forth is the fourth and final series of the BBC situation comedy Blackadder, written by Richard Curtis and Ben Elton, which aired from 28 September to 2 November 1989 on BBC One....
, the fourth series of the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
sitcom Blackadder
Blackadder
Blackadder is the name that encompassed four series of a BBC1 historical sitcom, along with several one-off instalments. All television programme episodes starred Rowan Atkinson as anti-hero Edmund Blackadder and Tony Robinson as Blackadder's dogsbody, Baldrick...
.
Plot
The episode begins with an ongoing artillery attack that is disturbing BlackadderCaptain Blackadder
Captain Edmund Blackadder is the main fictional character in the fourth and final series of the popular BBC sitcom Blackadder, Blackadder Goes Forth...
's rest, and which he says will not help as 'Jerry is safe underground'. Shortly after it stops, an air raid begins. After Blackadder leaves an angry message for the head of the Flying Corps ("Message reads 'Where are you, you bastard?'"), believing that it was a German air raid, he is not thrilled to learn that it was simply a display by the Flying Corp. Shortly afterwards, the brash and egocentric Squadron Commander, Lord Flashheart
Lord Flashheart
Lord Flashheart is the name of two fictional characters who appeared in two episodes of the popular BBC sitcom Blackadder. They are both played by Rik Mayall....
(Rik Mayall
Rik Mayall
Richard Michael "Rik" Mayall is an English comedian, writer, and actor. He is known for his comedy partnership with Ade Edmondson, his over-the-top, energetic portrayal of characters, and as a pioneer of alternative comedy in the early 1980s...
), crash lands by the dug-out. Baldrick
Baldrick
Baldrick is the name of several fictional characters featured in the long-running BBC historic comedy television series Blackadder. Each one serves as Edmund Blackadder's servant and sidekick and acts as a foil to the lead character...
and George are enraptured by Flashheart, though Blackadder is completely unimpressed. As Flashheart leaves with Bob
Bob (Blackadder character)
Bob is a pseudonym used by two characters in the sitcom Blackadder, both female and played by Gabrielle Glaister.-Blackadder II:Kate, who goes by the pseudonym "Bob", is one of the first characters to appear in Blackadder II...
, Flashheart offers George a place in the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
. Initially uninterested, Blackadder is more agreeable when he learns of the "20 Minuters" squadron, so named because new pilots only spend 20 minutes in the air.
At Staff HQ, Blackadder tries to join the Flying Corps; Captain Darling tries to stop him, but General Melchett
Melchett
Melchett is a family line of fictional characters appearing in the British television sitcom series Blackadder, played by Stephen Fry. There were two main Melchetts: Lord Melchett and General Melchett.- Blackadder II :...
allows the transfer. At basic training the next day, Blackadder learns that the flight instructor is Flashheart, and that the actual reason for the name 'Twenty Minuters' is because the 20 minutes is the life expectancy
Life expectancy
Life expectancy is the expected number of years of life remaining at a given age. It is denoted by ex, which means the average number of subsequent years of life for someone now aged x, according to a particular mortality experience...
of a new pilot. Darling at this point assures Blackadder that so long as he has a good navigator
Flight officer
The title flight officer was a military rank used by the United States Armed Forces where it was an air force warrant officer rank. It was also an air force rank in several Commonwealth nations where it was used for female officers and was equivalent to the rank of flight lieutenant...
, he'll be fine. However, much to Darling's glee, the navigator is Baldrick.
Shortly after takeoff, both Blackadder and Baldrick are shot down by a red plane, and captured by Baron von Richthofen
Manfred von Richthofen
Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen , also widely known as the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service during World War I...
(Adrian Edmondson
Adrian Edmondson
Adrian Charles "Ade" Edmondson is an English comedian. He is probably best known for his comedic roles in the television series The Young Ones and Bottom , for which he also wrote together with his long-time collaboration partner Rik Mayall.-Early life:Edmondson, the second of four children, was...
), who wants to learn the subtleties of British humour
British humour
British humour is a somewhat general term applied to certain comedic motifs that are often prevalent in comedic acts originating in the United Kingdom and its current or former colonies...
. He informs them of their fate, which entails teaching home economics
Home Economics
Home economics is the profession and field of study that deals with the economics and management of the home and community...
to young German girls in a convent outside Heidelberg
Heidelberg
-Early history:Between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago, "Heidelberg Man" died at nearby Mauer. His jaw bone was discovered in 1907; with scientific dating, his remains were determined to be the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. In the 5th century BC, a Celtic fortress of refuge and place of...
, which he thinks will be a fate worse than death to a British soldier; Blackadder feigns sorrow, but he is, of course, overjoyed.
George, in the meantime, attempts to rescue Blackadder with the help of Darling and Melchett, but is informed that it would be pointless. He is shown a map showing the land they have recaptured — 17 square feet, in actual size. He is more successful in recruiting Lord Flashheart, who swiftly rescues Blackadder and Baldrick. Blackadder tries to stall them and get himself recaptured, but Flashheart is not fooled and forces Blackadder out the door. Unfortunately, Richthofen appears and confronts Flashheart, comparing the nobility and majesty of their calling. In response, Flashheart shoots von Richthofen and calls him "a poof".
Back at HQ, Flashheart headbutts Darling into unconsciousness to get back at him for not rescuing them sooner. He then leaves, advising Blackadder to take something if he wants it (a principle he demonstrates with Bob). Melchett appears, at which point Blackadder asks for some time off to recuperate. Melchett agrees, stating that Blackadder's commanding officer would have to be mad to refuse. However, when Blackadder reminds Melchett that he is Blackadder's commanding officer, Melchett refuses.
Trivia
- When Flashheart and Bob make their "woofs," Blackadder remarks "It's like CruftsCruftsCrufts is an annual international Championship conformation show for dogs organised and hosted by the Kennel Club, currently held every March at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England. It is the largest annual dog show in the world, as declared by Guinness World Records, and lasts...
in here." According to the DVD commentary, this line was supposed to be, "It's like Battersea Dogs' Home in here." However, Atkinson found himself unable to say the line due to his stutter, and so "CruftsCruftsCrufts is an annual international Championship conformation show for dogs organised and hosted by the Kennel Club, currently held every March at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England. It is the largest annual dog show in the world, as declared by Guinness World Records, and lasts...
" was substituted for "Battersea Dogs' Home" in the final version. - This was the first re-appearance of the Lord FlashheartLord FlashheartLord Flashheart is the name of two fictional characters who appeared in two episodes of the popular BBC sitcom Blackadder. They are both played by Rik Mayall....
character, since the second series premier "BellsBells (Blackadder)"Bells" is the first episode of the BBC sitcom Blackadder II, the second series of Blackadder, which was set in Elizabethan England from 1558 to 1603. Although "Bells" was the first to be broadcast on BBC1, it was originally destined to be the second episode...
". While he did not reappear under that name, Rik MayallRik MayallRichard Michael "Rik" Mayall is an English comedian, writer, and actor. He is known for his comedy partnership with Ade Edmondson, his over-the-top, energetic portrayal of characters, and as a pioneer of alternative comedy in the early 1980s...
used the same characterisation in his portrayal of Robin HoodRobin HoodRobin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes....
in Blackadder Back and Forth. - The aerial scenes were footage re-used from the 1976 film Aces HighAces High (film)Aces High is a 1976 British war film directed by Jack Gold and starring Malcolm McDowell, Christopher Plummer and Simon Ward. The screenplay was written by Howard Barker. As acknowledged in the opening credits, the film is based on the 1930s play Journey's End by R. C. Sherriff and the memoir...
. - Rik MayallRik MayallRichard Michael "Rik" Mayall is an English comedian, writer, and actor. He is known for his comedy partnership with Ade Edmondson, his over-the-top, energetic portrayal of characters, and as a pioneer of alternative comedy in the early 1980s...
, Adrian EdmondsonAdrian EdmondsonAdrian Charles "Ade" Edmondson is an English comedian. He is probably best known for his comedic roles in the television series The Young Ones and Bottom , for which he also wrote together with his long-time collaboration partner Rik Mayall.-Early life:Edmondson, the second of four children, was...
, Stephen FryStephen FryStephen John Fry is an English actor, screenwriter, author, playwright, journalist, poet, comedian, television presenter and film director, and a director of Norwich City Football Club. He first came to attention in the 1981 Cambridge Footlights Revue presentation "The Cellar Tapes", which also...
, Hugh LaurieHugh LaurieJames Hugh Calum Laurie, OBE , better known as Hugh Laurie , is an English actor, voice artist, comedian, writer, musician, recording artist, and director...
and Tony RobinsonTony RobinsonTony Robinson is an English actor, comedian, author, broadcaster and political campaigner. He is best known for playing Baldrick in the BBC television series Blackadder, and for hosting Channel 4 programmes such as Time Team and The Worst Jobs in History. Robinson is a member of the Labour Party...
all appeared in The Young OnesThe Young OnesThe Young Ones may refer to:* The Young Ones , a 1961 musical starring Cliff Richard.** The Young Ones , the soundtrack to the film.*** "The Young Ones" , the film's title track....
episode "Bambi". Although he did not act in this episode, Ben EltonBen EltonBenjamin Charles "Ben" Elton is an English comedian, author, playwright and director. He was a leading figure in the British alternative comedy movement of the 1980s, as a writer on such cult series as The Young Ones and Blackadder, as well as also a successful stand-up comedian on stage and TV....
appeared in "Bambi" and co-wrote both series.
Filming errors
When Blackadder and Baldrick are captured, they are first visited by von Gerhardt. When Gerhardt is looking away and Blackadder is making fun of him, he suddenly turns and hit Baldrick. When Baldrick falls on the wall, the wall moves at least 10 centimeters.Shortly before they are captured, while they are flying, a white car can be seen driving on the ground.