Broadcast on Gold HD on 15th June 2023 as part of the 40 year anniversary celebrations.
The master tape of this pilot episode suffered permanent physical damage many years ago due to mishandling and poor storage conditions and as such it is no longer considered of broadcast quality by the BBC. Therefore it is unlikely to ever be released or shown publicly in its entirety although bootleg versions do exist.
There were a few cast changes between this unaired pilot and the series as transmitted (which included a remake of this script as "Born to be King"). Brian Blessed replaced John Savident as King Richard XII of Scotland (now called Richard IV of England), Robert East took over as Prince Henry ("Harry") from Robert Bathurst, whilst Philip Fox's rôle as Baldrick was inherited by Tony Robinson.
While in the first series Edmund (Black Adder) was more the idiot and comic relief than Baldrick (who in the first series comes up with ridiculous ideas but manages to somehow contribute to get Edmund out of trouble on many occasions), the roles of the characters of Black Adder and Baldrick were switched in the series that followed due to the influence of new writer Ben Elton. Actually, the pilot of the first series showed Blackadder with his later-to-be persona, rather than the dimwit that was actually shown here. While Baldrick kept many of the same mannerisms, catchphrases ("I have a cunning plan"), and actor portraying the character - Tony Robinson - he became the idiot and comic foil that Blackadder was in the first series. Blackadder, on the other hand, became a more intelligent and insulting character with each subsequent series.