Bean: The Ultimate Disaster Movie

“Bean: The Ultimate Disaster Movie” (1997) was released in cinemas on October 29, 1997. The film tells the story of Mr. Bean's stay in the United States, where he causes a series of disasters: the presentation of a world-famous painting, his encounter with the Langley family, and a finale as chaotic as it is unforgettable.

Release dates:
August 1, 1997 Great Britain - October 29, 1997 France

Written by:
Rowan Atkinson, Richard Curtis & Robin Driscoll

Directed by:
Mel Smith

Cast:
Rowan Atkinson, Peter MacNicol, Pamela Reed, John Mills, Harris Yulin, Burt Reynolds

Movie 1

Sources : Casting IMDb - Broadcast INA - Filming Locations Findthatlocation - TV Screenshot © Tiger Aspect Productions

Context and genesis of the film

Following the worldwide success of the Mr. Bean series in the 1990s, the idea of ​​a film came naturally. After 14 television episodes, and believing he had explored the full potential of this universe, Rowan Atkinson decided to take the project to the big screen. The challenge was to create a longer story without losing the character's silent and universal humor. This British-American co-production aims to further broaden its international audience.

As for the team, you don't change a winning team; the trio of friends Atkinson, Curtis and Driscoll are writing this feature film directed by Mel Smith.

Anecdotes I

• Director Mel Smith is no stranger to the film crew. He starred alongside Rowan Atkinson in "Not the Nine O'Clock News" in the 80s and directed "The Tall Guy," written by Curtis, in which Atkinson had a role.

• This film contains many references to sketches seen in Mr. Bean (The delay, falls off the chair, the plane, takes pictures of anything and everything, the turkey...).

• The opening scene where Mr. Bean shaves, drops the coffee cup and drinks directly from the kettle was written for the pilot "Canned Laughter", Bean's predecessor, which aired in 1979.

• The French voice of Rowan Atkinson is Dany Boon.

• The film achieved nearly 3.2 million admissions in France and grossed $250 million worldwide.

• The first French broadcast took place on Tuesday, October 31, 2000 on France 2. The audience was 5.38 million viewers (22.8% market share).

The synopsis

Mr. Bean works as a security guard – a job he finds very unpopular – at the Royal National Gallery in London. When a wealthy American patron buys the world-famous painting "Whistler's Mother," the gallery is required to send an expert to represent it at the unveiling. The problem is, instead of choosing a genuine specialist, the gallery's directors, fed up with Bean, decide to send him... simply to get rid of him.

Bean then arrives in Los Angeles, welcomed by David Langley, an idealistic museum employee convinced that he is an art genius. Very quickly, Bean's presence transforms the Langley family's life into total chaos: clumsiness, domestic catastrophes, absurd misunderstandings.

At the museum, the situation worsens when he unintentionally damages the painting of "Whistler's Mother." A completely improvised attempt at "restoration" ensues…

Between lies, general panic and attempts to save appearances, Bean ends up creating monumental chaos, but always with a touching sincerity and a unique sense of the absurd.

Anecdotes II

• Teddy is present at the end of the film.

• There was a photo of Shirley Bassey on the wall of her apartment.

• Mr. Bean lives in a new apartment located in Prebend Gardens, London. Source .

• Mr. Bean sleeps in a bed set from the animated series "Thunderbirds"

• We can't see the Mini.

• A scene was created exclusively for the US audience. In this version, Mr. Bean recreates the head-in-the-turkey scene, the same as in " Merry Christmas Mr. Bean, " and loses his watch for the same reason!

• In the film's musical theme created by Howard Goodall, "Bean Theme (Mad Pianos)," one can hear an instrumental reprise of the theme song "Ecce Homo" in a different key.

• The house that served as the setting for the Langley family home burned down during the terrible fires that hit Los Angeles in January 2025. Google map .

Mr. Bean's suitcase !

What secrets does Mr Bean's mysterious suitcase hold?
A creation concocted with a touch of artificial intelligence.