When the plague rages through Europe everyone blames "witches". When Edmund fails a "test" everyone suddenly becomes his enemy.When the plague rages through Europe everyone blames "witches". When Edmund fails a "test" everyone suddenly becomes his enemy.When the plague rages through Europe everyone blames "witches". When Edmund fails a "test" everyone suddenly becomes his enemy.
Photos
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaTony Robinson singles out this episode as the one in which Baldrick's catchphrase, "I have a cunning plan", was firmly developed. The phrase had featured in previous episodes - it had been used in The Foretelling (1983), and in Born to Be King (1983), Prince Edmund and Baldrick develop it whilst plotting against Dougal McAngus. Robinson recalls that during the filming of this episode, he realised that re-using the word "cunning" could be an effective comedic device and he inserted it into his line "I have a plan" as Baldrick conspires with Edmund to escape from the dungeon.
- GoofsThe witchsmeller uses two eggs, one white and one brown, while explaining his function to Harry. In close-up, the brown egg is in his lower hand representing evil. In the long shot (after crushing both eggs), the brown egg shell is in his upper hand, representing good.
- Quotes
Prince Edmund: [to the Witchsmeller Pursuivant] I've been hearing about your work in Taunton. Imagine that - every single person having an affair with the same duck.
- Crazy creditsCast in Order of Witchiness
- ConnectionsReferences The Night of the Hunter (1955)
Featured review
The Witchsmeller sentences you to trial by laughter.
What better subject for crazy medieval comedy The Black Adder than a witch trial? Anyone with the slightest knowledge of these matters will know that they were pretty ridiculous affairs, with the prosecution often levelling completely unfounded and preposterous claims against totally innocent victims, and utilising hysteria, superstition, fear and ignorance to sway the outcome.
This sheer lunacy of these terrible trials provides Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson with some absolutely hilarious material, and a very memorable performance from Frank Finlay as the loathsome Witchsmeller Pursuivant who accuses Edmund of being a witch, results in this being one of the funniest episodes of the series.
Witchsmeller Pursuivant also features a terrific ending, with Edmund, Percy and Baldrick sentenced to be burned at the stake, but receiving a little last minute help from an unexpected source.
This sheer lunacy of these terrible trials provides Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson with some absolutely hilarious material, and a very memorable performance from Frank Finlay as the loathsome Witchsmeller Pursuivant who accuses Edmund of being a witch, results in this being one of the funniest episodes of the series.
Witchsmeller Pursuivant also features a terrific ending, with Edmund, Percy and Baldrick sentenced to be burned at the stake, but receiving a little last minute help from an unexpected source.
helpful•20
- BA_Harrison
- Dec 25, 2009
Details
- Runtime30 minutes
- Color
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