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Starring award-winning British comedy genius, Rowan Atkinson (“Blackadder,” “Johnny English”), the “Mr. Bean” internationally acclaimed TV series and two box office hit films continue to enthrall audiences worldwide and maintain his universal popularity. Remastered and included in this DVD set are all 14 episodes of the landmark original series that introduced Mr. Bean to an adoring, slap-stick awkward, world! Re-live the timeless Mr. Bean, the hapless, rubber-faced clown, who never fails to leave a trail of merry mayhem and side- splitting laughter in his wake.
Growing up in Dublin, Ireland, I was very aware of the British sense of humor because we used a lot of it in our every day life and vice versa. The humor in the U.K. and Ireland is almost identical so watching shows like “Blackadder,” “Keeping Up Appearances,” “Fawlty Towers” and “Mr. Bean” were hilarious. Granted, for anybody outside of this region, the humor was an acquired taste. I’ve met many people here in the U.S. who say they never understood that sense of humor while others said it was hysterical. In the end, comedy and humor is quite divisive: just because you grew up in the U.K. or Ireland, doesn’t necessarily mean that humor appealed to you. There are so many different variations of humor that no one style will appeal to everyone so it varies from person to person.
“Mr. Bean” was a show I watched because I’ve always enjoyed seeing Rowan Atkinson perform. He has a wonderful physical humor about him that is quite rare these days. Even in his “Johnny English” movies, his combination of seriousness mixed with physical comicality is what makes that particular style of comedy work. With “Mr. Bean: The Whole Bean,” we have all 14 remastered episodes in one collection numbering 4 DVDs which also includes deleted scenes and a very insightful documentary, “The Story of Mr. Bean.” For me, it’s always strange listening to Rowan Atkinson talk while he’s not in character because I grew up watching him in either “Blackadder” where he played a cynical, cowardly opportunist or “Mr. Bean,” described by Atkinson as “a child in a grown man’s body.”
Apparently, Atkinson came up with the idea of “Mr. Bean” while studying for his master’s degree at Oxford University. The documentary is a wonderful insight into the private and professional life of an artist that has an uncanny ability to make you laugh, whether it’s verbal, as is the case in “Blackadder” or visual, à la “Mr. Bean.” During the documentary “The Story of Mr. Bean,” we see early video footage of Atkinson appearing on stage at the Oxford Playhouse, a venue for local artists and it was during one of his shows here, that he was spotted by a producer from the BBC, John Lloyd and the rest as they say, is history.
While Mr. Atkinson has appeared in many other films and television shows, most notably and recently, his James Bond spoofs “Johnny English,” he will undoubtedly always be remembered for “Mr. Bean,” a simple man who always manages to save the day, albeit not the way everyone else would do it but that is part of Bean’s appeal, the everyman who can repel danger, retain his composure and provide sanctuary to himself, all while in his pajamas.
“Mr. Bean: The Whole Bean” consists of a 4-DVD set which contains all 14 remastered hilarious episodes and insightful bonus features including previously missing scenes from the original U.S. broadcast, retrospective documentary, best bits, never before seen-on-TV sketches and a trailer for “Mr. Bean: The Animated Series.” Highly Recommended, especially for “Mr. Bean” enthusiasts.
Available in stores on DVD March 24th
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