Rowan Atkinson Movies
Best known to American audiences as the Black Adder and Mr. Bean, black-haired, bug-eyed, and weak-chinned comedian Rowan Atkinson is one of the most popular funnymen in England whose keen, often black humor and knack for physical comedy has earned him a huge international following. Born in Newcastle, Atkinson was educated at Newcastle University and Oxford. While at the latter, he teamed up with budding screenwriter Richard Curtis to write comedy reviews for the Oxford Playhouse. Shortly thereafter, the two created material for the Edinburgh Fringe. By 1978, Atkinson's humor had earned him a devoted fan base and he was offered leading roles in two British television comedies. Instead, Atkinson chose to get involved in the internationally acclaimed comedy series Not the Nine O'Clock News as a writer and a performer. His performances in the oft-distinguished show earned Atkinson a British Academy Award and got him designated "BBC Personality of the Year" in 1980. His stage performances also continued to significantly increase his popularity.In 1983, he and Curtis created the Black Adder, a cowardly and conniving Tudor Prince named Edmund who tries vainly to become King of England after inadvertently killing his father during a battle. Billed as a "situation tragedy" on the BBC, it ran three seasons and later spawned a couple of specials. Atkinson made his feature-film debut in the 1983 James Bond thriller Never Say Never Again. In the late '80s, he starred in a few films penned by Curtis. It was while they were filming The Tall Guy that Atkinson and Curtis created Mr. Bean, an average British Joe with a clumsy nature and a nasty streak and launched a series. Different from other shows in that it was largely silent, Atkinson's Bean demonstrated a rare gift for slapstick that has led to his being compared to Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin. During its six year run, Mr. Bean became the most popular show in the U.K. and has since been shown in 89 countries where it has gained a cult following comparable to Monty Python and Fawlty Towers. Atkinson himself attributes his character's popularity to the fact that the socially awkward, middle-aged Bean's mundane adventures, largely due to his clumsy inability to cope with even the smallest of life's foibles, mirror the feelings and experiences of people the world over. In 1997, Atkinson brought the character to the big screen in Bean. Other notable Atkinson film performances include his voice characterization of Zazu in The Lion King and that of the hilariously inarticulate priest in Four Weddings and a Funeral. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 2009
Mr. Bean star Rowan Atkinson steps into the role of comic landlord Mr. Micawber for director Peter Howitt's screen adaptation of the classic novel by revered author Charles Dickens. Widely regarded as one of the author's most autobiographical works, David Copperfield follows a young orphan coming of age on the streets of Victorian-era London. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rowan Atkinson
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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rowan Atkinson, Tony Robinson, (more)
- 1996
The citizenry of Gasforth is up in arms over the proposed construction of a new highway bypass. In trying to control the situation, Inspector Raymond Fowler is stymied by the fact that his police squad colleague (and erstwhile sweetheart) Sgt. Patricia Dawkins has joined the protestors. In other developments, Constable Frank Goody falls in love, while Detective Inspector Grim obsesses over the "desecration" of his precious automobile. "Road Rage" was originally telecast on December 19 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rowan Atkinson, Serena Evans, (more)
- 1996
Miraculously, the Gasforth soccer team makes it all the way to the semifinals. As a result, Inspector Raymond Fowler trains his staff to prepare for riots in the street. Neither the team nor Fowler could have picked a worse time for their individual "projects"; Mayoress Wickerham has launched a campaign to attract foreign investors to the community. "Come On You Blues" was first telecast on December 12, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rowan Atkinson, Serena Evans, (more)
- 1996
Having been captivated by the new age movement, Sgt. Patricia Dawkins decides to go through an elaborate "rebirthing" process -- thereby driving her off-and-on lover, Inspector Raymond Fowler, completely bonkers. In the same spirit, Constable Frank Goody decides to adopt an alternative (to say the least) lifestyle. Other crises at the Gasforth Police Station involve Detective Inspector Grim's efforts to bust druggies at a local "rave," a temporarily co-ed bathroom, and a visit from the sister of WPC Maggie Habib. "Alternative Culture" originally aired on December 5, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rowan Atkinson, Serena Evans, (more)
- 1996
Havoc reigns supreme when a BBC film crew elects to produce a documentary about the members of the Gasforth police squad. Not only do the filmmakers continually get in the way of due process, but their presence also sparks a vicious war of egos amongst the various inspectors and constables. No one is more starstruck than Inspector Raymond Fowler, whose camera-hogging must be seen to be believed. "Fly on the Wall" was originally shown on November 28, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rowan Atkinson, Serena Evans, (more)
- 1996
Inspector Raymond Fowler is in for a whole new set of headaches when Ms. Wickerham, the new Mayoress of Gasforth, decides to begin legislating political correctness. As luck would have it, Wickerham's campaign coincides with the arrival of an illegal immigrant and the EC Commissioner for Human Rights (each of whom is mistaken for the other). On another front, Sgt. Patricia Dawkins tries to save a woman from being beaten -- thereby lousing up yet another carefully contrived "sting" operation by Detective Inspector Grim. "Ism, Ism, Ism" first aired on November 21, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rowan Atkinson, Serena Evans, (more)
- 1996
The Thin Blue Line launched its second season with the November 14, 1996, episode "Court in the Act." Inspector Raymond Walker of the Gasforth police squad faces a formidable new opponent in the form of the excessively politically correct Mayoress Wickerham (Lucy Robinson). Meanwhile, the rest of the officers are thoroughly confused by the station's new "time saving" electronic equipment. And while trying to help the CID trap a local drug dealer, Detective Inspector Grim is thwarted by one of his own men, Constable Kevin Goody (whose garish new uniform unexpectedly saves everyone's job!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rowan Atkinson, Serena Evans, (more)
- 1996
After ten years of living together, Inspector Raymond Fowler finally proposes to Sgt. Patricia Dawkins. She is thrilled -- until she discovers the true motivations behind Raymond's question-popping. As if this weren't trouble enough, Detective Inspector Grim is more depressed than usual over his impending 20th anniversary with the Gasforth police squad. "Green Eyed Monster" first aired December 23, 1996, as the final episode of The Thin Blue Line. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rowan Atkinson, Serena Evans, (more)
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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rowan Atkinson, Serena Evans, (more)
- 1995
The members of the Gasforth police squad face all sorts of mischief when they pull night shift duty. Detective Inspector Grim finds himself working hand and glove with Scotland Yard, incurring the jealousy of Inspector Raymond Fowler. Meanwhile, Raymond's erstwhile lover Sgt. Patricia Dawkins tangles with a gang of irksome teenagers. And how does that attractive sex therapist figure into the story? "Night Shift" originally aired on December 11, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rowan Atkinson, Serena Evans, (more)
- 1995
Though the traditional British "Rag Week" is hard to explain to American viewers, suffice to say that the annual ceremony involves elaborate pranks and practical jokes. On this particular Rag Week, the police officers at the Gasworth district house steel themselves for the usual onslaught of stunts and gags. As the other coppers contend with a recalcitrant telephone system, Inspector Fowler and Sgt. Patricia Dawkins get mixed up with a purportedly fake bank robbery. "Rag Week" was first shown on December 4, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rowan Atkinson, Serena Evans, (more)
- 1995
Inspector Raymond Fowler expects to win a quiz session being staged at his local pub. Raymond's ace in the hole is his police station colleague, WPC Maggie Habib, who happens to be a trivia whiz. Alas, Detective Inspector Grim requires Habib's services as "bait" for an otherwise elusive crook. "Honey Trap" made its first British television appearance on November 27, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rowan Atkinson, Serena Evans, (more)
- 1995
The Gasworth police squad faces a new onslaught of crises large and small in this episode written by series creator Ben Elton. WPC Maggie Habib develops a crush on a local fireman, only to find out that the object of her affections is more interested in Constable Kevin Goody! At the same time, Detective Inspector Grim does his best -- which is none too good -- to crack a case involving drug dealers. As for Inspector Raymond Fowler, he has his hands full with an inveterate practical joker. "Fire and Terror" first aired on November 20, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rowan Atkinson, Serena Evans, (more)
- 1995
In the opening episode of the British "ensemble" sitcom The Thin Blue Line, Sgt. Patricia Dawkins of the Gasforth police squad prepares to celebrate her tenth anniversary as the live-in sweetheart of Inspector Raymond Fowler. Alas, Raymond seals the doom of this relationship by his preoccupation with the upcoming birthday of Queen Elizabeth. Meanwhile, the other police officers try to deal with a potential suicide, while anal-retentive Detective Inspector Grim wrestles with the World Wide Web. "The Queen's Birthday Present" was first telecast on November 13, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rowan Atkinson, Serena Evans, (more)
- 1995
Advertised as a Christmas special when it originally aired on December 26, 1995, "Yuletide Spirit" was actually the final first season episode of the British sitcom The Thin Blue Line. Everyone at the Gasforth police station suffers when a disgruntled Inspector Raymond Fowler loses the starring role in an amateur Christmas pantomime. Worse is to come, as the station is transformed into a makeshift maternity ward for a homeless couple. Meanwhile, in keeping with the tenor of the season, Detective Inspector Grim and Detective Constable Kray chase down a gang of crooked carolers! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rowan Atkinson, Serena Evans, (more)
- 1995
The Gasforth police station is set on its ear by the presence of an abandoned baby. As Sgt. Patricia Dawkins tends to the troublesome infant, her colleague WPC Maggie Habib faces down a sexual harasser -- only to be flummoxed by the gallant efforts of Constable Kevin Goody to "protect" her. As for Inspector Raymond Fowler and Detective Inspector Grim, they have troubles organizing a "therapeutic" camping trip for a gang of young punks. "Kids Today" was originally telecast December 18, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rowan Atkinson, Serena Evans, (more)
