RWels
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Post by RWels on Sept 23, 2008 21:26:07 GMT
Following a discussion somewhere else, I was hoping someone could tell me exactly what happened to the blackadder unaired pilot.
The reason I doubt its whereabouts is this. There is a sort of Blackadder Revisited type of show coming up, and the producers actually had to borrow a bootleg tape - no, not from me, unfortunately I do not have one. It was from someone on a blackadder fansite. Point is, they couldn;t get it from the BBC.
On top of that, by chance I saw a remark from someone who had a pass for the viewing room or something, and he had taken a look at it and the pilot episode was - apparently - in really bad quality.
It's not a big chapter in TV history, it's more of a footnote. But if anyone could help me, I would like to be corrected to know that it is safe and sound (for the very remote chance it will be released one day). Is it?
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Post by Ash Stewart on Sept 24, 2008 11:59:20 GMT
Chances are it would be a case of "we're not going to give you this" rather than "we can't give you this". Wasn't it suggested at one stage it was going to be on the BA DVDs, but was vetoed by Rowan, or someone else?
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Post by Greg H on Sept 24, 2008 13:59:26 GMT
This definitely exists. A low quality copy has been doing the rounds for a while, that probably originated from a better one somewhere. I suspect that they are holding it back so you have the buy them again  |
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Post by Eric Lawton on Sept 24, 2008 16:06:40 GMT
Greg H said.............This definitely exists. A low quality copy has been doing the rounds for a while, that probably originated from a better one somewhere. I suspect that they are holding it back so you have the buy them again
Certainly does exist, the copy I have is reasonably good quality. You have surprised me though. I didnt know it had never been screened. I just thought Id missed it first time around. Baldrick was played by someone whose name escapes me ( think his surname was Fox )
Compared to the series though, its very weak in my opinion.
Eric.
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Post by Robert Manners on Sept 24, 2008 16:36:06 GMT
Yes the one in fan hands is untimecoded and not to bad in quality. I too thought it must have been aired once!
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RWels
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Posts: 2,905
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Post by RWels on Sept 24, 2008 22:44:25 GMT
I know there is a copy of it out of the bag, but it looked a bit distorted to me - the aspect ratio wasn't right either.
But a copy in fans' hands doesn't mean it's still in the archive. Would the BBC refuse access to another company?
As far as I know it's an unaired pilot. Never, according to "Cunning. The Blackadder program guide".
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Post by mark cole on Sept 25, 2008 6:25:09 GMT
The pilot is now on youtube in pretty good quality  Edit...Link removed..Sorry about that  |
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RWels
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Posts: 2,905
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Post by RWels on Sept 25, 2008 8:33:34 GMT
Hm, looks like someone broke the rules there, posting the blackadder pilot like that! Tsch.
Anyway, like I said, it looks like there's something wrong with the aspect ratio there. But this is the more common version, yes.
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Post by Ash Stewart on Sept 25, 2008 11:12:31 GMT
But a copy in fans' hands doesn't mean it's still in the archive. Would the BBC refuse access to another company? They could. Quite easily. It's certainly happened before. Either that, or the amount the Beeb charged for making a copy of it for the other company was prohibitive. It's not unheard of for producers of docus needing clips to just pop along to a shop and buy a copy of the retail DVD rather than getting broadcast copies from the TV co; most viewers won't notice. |
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RWels
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Post by RWels on Sept 25, 2008 11:33:05 GMT
Really? Didn't know that. As a member of the public I assumed any normal show would be made available to another channel if it was just for a few seconds in a documentary.
But I have seen some occasions where the B missed a great opportunity to use its own archive.
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Post by Adrian Gregg on Sept 25, 2008 12:25:31 GMT
Unheard of OMG, look at most docos today, I can name sevral BIG docos on comedy that used clips from HERE rather than licence new transferes!!!
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Post by Rich Cornock on Sept 25, 2008 16:41:33 GMT
i imagine that the bbc doesnt want to release the pilot as its potentially worth a lot of money in sales on a delux dvd black adder package which is almost bound to appear at some point in the future.
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Post by Gary Critcher on Sept 25, 2008 18:03:00 GMT
'i imagine that the bbc doesnt want to release the pilot as its potentially worth a lot of money'
Or that it's just not very good?
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Post by Rich Cornock on Sept 25, 2008 20:58:14 GMT
doesnt really matter if its any good or not, a lot of people would buy it just to see it. just look how many collectors have admitted to already having a pirate copy
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RWels
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Posts: 2,905
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Post by RWels on Sept 25, 2008 21:41:14 GMT
While I enjoy guessing as much as the next person, I was rather hoping someone like Andrew could perhaps give some solid information. If possible, does it still exist and in what condition?
By the way there are many Blackadder extras that have not been released as part of the official series. A search on youtube may result in a few blackadder bloopers, a Making Of series 4, Baldrick and Blackadder on Children in Need. And there are a few short performances by Rowan Atkinson for several royal occasions (if the latter are on dvd anywhere, please let me know).
I do not suspect a marketing strategy behind it, not in this case. More a case of ignorance, rights issues, or a decision not do it.
In response to the previous posts, I'd say it's medium interesting. Let's be fair, series 1 was always the weakest, the pilot isn't any worse. It's slightly more like the other 3 series, and those are the ones that sell the show. But most people will not take to the pilot anyway, because it "feels" different.
By the way, I asked this before, but has anyone ever seen the Blackadder (series III) bloopers on the Noel Edmonds Saturday Roadshow?
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