Ben Elton Movies

Fans of physical comedy will love this collection of classic clips from Mr. Bean. Follow Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) and his pal Teddy up to the attic, where they take a hilarious stroll down memory lane while searching for an umbrella. Featured sketches include "Mr. Bean's Christmas - With a Turkey on His Head," "Mr. Bean Can't Stay Awake in Church," "Mr. Bean Helps a Busker," and "Mr. Bean Meets the Queen in a Royal Line-Up." ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rowan Atkinson returns to the role of royal scoundrel Edmund Blackadder in this hilariously skewered romp through British history. On the eve of the New Millennium, the latest incarnations of Blackadder and his eternal flunkey Baldrick step into a time machine, purportedly based on a design by Leonardo da Vinci. On a dare, the boys agree to check out a few historical high points -- only to become totally lost in time and space, bouncing back and forth (hence the title) from the Jurassic Period, to the era of Robin Hood, to the reign of Queen Elizabeth, back again to 1999, and back again "forward into the past." Several of the regular performers from the previous Black Adder TV series are once again in attendance, including stars Atkinson and Tony Robinson, Miranda Richardson, Hugh Laurie, and Rik Mayall. Produced for exhibition at England's Millennium Dome on January 1, 2000, Black Adder V: Back and Forth was previewed on December 6, 1999, and subsequently telecast on the Sky TV satellite service. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rowan Atkinson of Mr. Bean fame was the star of the BBC sitcom The Thin Blue Line. The setting was the tiny British town of Gasforth, where a squad of dedicated, but basically inept police officers held sway. Atkinson was cast as Inspector Raymond Fowler, whose self-absorption was matched by his clumsiness. Other members of the squad included Raymond's former live-in lover Sgt. Patricia Dawkins, chronically depressed Detective Inspector Grim, Constable Maggie Habib, and Constables Kevin Goody and Frank Gladstone. During the second season, two new characters were added to the mixture: Mayoress Wickerham, whose efforts at imposing "political correctness" at all costs only served to make bad situations worse, and CID Detective Boyle, whose efforts to work hand and glove with the squad usually resulted in botched arrests and public relations disasters. All of the episodes were directed by Atkinson's former Mr. Bean colleague John Birkin. Written and co-produced by Ben Elton, who admittedly patterned the program after the classic British comedy-ensemble series Dad's Army, The Thin Blue Line yielded 14 half-hour episodes between November 13, 1995, and December 23, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Based on a novel by satirical comedian (and dedicated environmentalist) Ben Elton, the British miniseries Stark was set in the bleak near-future, with mankind facing utter extinction due to rampant pollution. The action took place in Australia, home base for the Stark Conspiracy, a secret organization of politicians and corporate fat cats who intended to save themselves from Armageddon at the expense of everyone else on earth. When zillionaire Sly Morgan (Colin Friels) was invited to join the Stark group, gonzo journalist CD Dobson (played by author Ben Elton himself) intended to uncover the facts behind the organization. To this end, he began romancing Rachel (Jacqueline McKenzie), an activist in league with a group of overaged hippies who hoped to destroy Stark and save the world on their own. A co-production of BBC2 and Australia's ABC network, Stark originally aired in Britain in three 55-minute installments, from December 8 to 22, 1993. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

British comedian Rowan Atkinson, best known to American audiences for his character Mr. Bean, stars in this collection of comic sketches, performed before a live audience of enthusiastic fans. Highlights include "Someone Called Jones," "Pink Tights and Props," and "The Invisible Man"; Angus Deayton joins Atkinson for several bits. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Again hoping to avoid WWI combat duty, Captain Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) destroys the orders for "Operation Insanity" and eats the messenger pigeon. Alas, the bird was a particular favorite of General Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett (Stephen Fry). As a result, Edmund, aka the "Flanders pigeon murderer," faces a court-martial and firing squad. "Plan B: Corporal Punishment" first aired on October 5, 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

As part of his never-ending efforts to avoid the German ground troops during WWI, Captain Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) signs up with the Royal Air Corps. Crashing behind enemy lines, Edmund is captured by the enemy, forcing Baldrick (Tony Robinson) and Lord Flashheart (Rik Mayall) to race to his rescue -- if only they can outmaneuver Baron Von Richtoven (Adrian Edmondson). "Plan D: Private Plane" made its British broadcast debut on October 19, 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Assigned to the British secret service, Blackadder goes undercover at an army hospital to ferret out a German spy. Among the suspects is shapely Nurse Mary (Miranda Richardson), with whom Edmund immediately falls in lust. And what about Brigadier Smith (Bill Wallis), who speaks with a pronounced Teutonic accent? "Plan E: General Hospital" first aired on October 26, 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The Blackadder gang reteamed to perform this 15-minute sketch on the 1988 @BBC Comic Relief telethon. The year is 1648: King Charles I (Stephen Fry) is sentenced to death by Oliver Cromwell (Warren Clarke). It is up to Charles' loyal subjects (indeed, his only subjects) Sir Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) and Baldrick (Tony Robinson) to ride to the rescue. First telecast on February 5, 1988, "The Cavalier Years" has since been released to home video. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The curtain fell on the satirical British sitcom Black Adder the Third with the episode titled "Duel and Duality." Accused of deflowering the two favorite nieces of "famous soldier" the Duke of Wellington (Stephen Fry), the Prince Regent (Hugh Laurie) is challenged to a duel. Ever anxious to curry favor, Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) offers to take the Prince's place on the field of honor -- and then arranges for his Scottish cousin McAdder to take Edmund's place. "Duel and Duality" was first broadcast on October 22, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The Prince Regent (Hugh Laurie) agrees to act as patron for the "fat dictionary" being written by Dr. Samuel Johnson (Robbie Coltrane). Unfortunately, the boneheaded Baldrick (Tony Richardson) accidentally uses Dr. Johnson's manuscript for firewood. Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) is faced with the daunting task of recopying the dictionary -- within a 48-hour period. Other characters crucial to the action are a trio of "romantic junkie poets" named Shelley, Byron, and Coleridge. "Ink and Incapability" originally aired on September 24, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Surviving an assassination attempt, the Prince Regent (Hugh Laurie) concludes that he'd be more popular if learned to give decent speeches to the masses. To that end, the Prince hires a pair of noted thespians, Keanrick (Hugh Paddick) and Mossop (Kenneth Connor), to give him elocution lessons. But Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson) and Baldrick (Tony Atkinson) have reason to suspect that the two actors are really anarchists. "Sense and Senility" was first telecast on October 8, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi