Rowan Atkinson Dead On Time - A Look Back At A Unique Film
When we think about Rowan Atkinson, our minds often go to the silly antics of Mr. Bean or the clever, scheming ways of Blackadder, you know? But there's this one project, a rather interesting short film from way back in 1983, that sometimes gets overlooked. It's called "Dead on Time," and it really shows a different side of his early work, a little bit darker, perhaps, but still with that signature touch of his comedic genius. This film, as a matter of fact, offers a unique glimpse into his beginnings on the big screen, right when he was just starting to make a name for himself in the world of entertainment.
This particular film, "Dead on Time," stands out as a British short movie that first came out in 1983. It was put together by Lyndall Hobbs, who took charge of making it, and the ideas for the story actually came from both Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson himself. It's one of those pieces that, in a way, captures a moment in time for these creative folks, showing what they were exploring early on in their careers, pretty much before some of their more famous creations took hold.
The story itself, you see, focuses on a character played by Atkinson, a person named Bernard Fripp, who finds himself in a rather unusual predicament. It’s a comedy that, basically, looks at how strange things can be in life, even when dealing with something as certain as the end of it. The movie, honestly, manages to hit the mark perfectly with its clever humor and really sharp timing, making you think while you also get a chuckle or two, which is quite a feat for a short piece.
Table of Contents
- Getting to Know the Person Behind the Laughter - Rowan Atkinson
- What's the Story with Rowan Atkinson's "Dead on Time"?
- Who Plays Whom in Rowan Atkinson's "Dead on Time"?
- How Does "Dead on Time" Explore Life's Strange Turns?
- Was Rowan Atkinson's "Dead on Time" a New Idea?
- Where Can You Watch Rowan Atkinson's "Dead on Time" Today?
- When Did Rowan Atkinson Make "Dead on Time"?
Getting to Know the Person Behind the Laughter - Rowan Atkinson
Rowan Atkinson, as many people know, has made quite a mark in the world of acting and comedy. His path into film really got going around the same time "Dead on Time" was made. For instance, he had a smaller role in the James Bond movie "Never Say Never Again," which also came out in 1983. So, you know, that year was pretty significant for him in terms of getting his face on the big screen, showing he could do more than just stage work or TV sketches. He was, in a way, becoming a familiar presence to audiences, which is something many actors hope for early on.
Beyond "Dead on Time," Atkinson was also busy with other creative projects that year. He was finishing up his work on "Not the Nine O'Clock News," a popular TV show, and then, basically, he started creating "The Black Adder." That show, as a matter of fact, would go on to become a really big deal, showing his range from physical comedy to more witty, word-based humor. It's interesting to see how "Dead on Time" fits into this period, almost like a bridge between his earlier sketch comedy and the more character-driven roles he'd soon be famous for, you know, kind of connecting the dots of his early career.
His work in "Dead on Time" as Bernard Fripp also shows a bit of a connection to some of his earlier characters. Bernard, you see, is described as someone who is quiet and gentle, maybe a bit uncomfortable around others, which, honestly, feels like a different version of a character Atkinson had played before. This character, Robert Box, appeared in a 1979 special called "Canned Laughter." It's pretty cool how they even share a similar funny bit, suggesting that Atkinson was, more or less, exploring and refining certain comedic types and situations that he found amusing. It’s almost like he was trying out different flavors of humor, seeing what worked best.
Here’s a quick look at some details about Rowan Atkinson, based on what the text provides:
| Name | Rowan Atkinson |
| Known For | Acting, Comedy |
| Notable Early Film Roles | Dead on Time (1983), Never Say Never Again (1983) |
| Notable Early TV Roles | Not the Nine O'Clock News, The Black Adder |
What's the Story with Rowan Atkinson's "Dead on Time"?
"Dead on Time" is a short comedy film from Britain, made in 1983. It's a piece that, honestly, brings together a few talented people. Lyndall Hobbs was the one who took charge of the making of the film, ensuring everything came together on screen. The actual ideas and script for the movie were created by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson himself, which, you know, gives it a unique flavor since both of them are known for their distinct comedic styles. It’s pretty much a collaborative effort that resulted in this interesting short feature.
The movie, at its core, revolves around a character named Bernard Fripp, played by Rowan Atkinson. Bernard is a person who worries a lot, and he ends up with a really strong focus on being on time, maybe even too much. This particular trait, his almost obsessive need for promptness, becomes a central part of his character and, basically, sets the stage for the humorous situations he finds himself in. It’s a pretty specific detail that helps shape the whole feel of the film, making Bernard quite memorable, if you ask me.
The story, essentially, plays out moment by moment, as Atkinson’s character, Bernard, gets some truly startling news. He finds out he has only about thirty minutes left to live. This news, as you can imagine, sends him into a bit of a daze, feeling a bit lost and unsure what to think. So, he starts looking for the best way to spend these last few minutes of his life, which, you know, leads to some rather comical and, at times, dark situations. It’s a pretty intense premise for a comedy, definitely.
Who Plays Whom in Rowan Atkinson's "Dead on Time"?
The group of performers in "Dead on Time" includes some familiar faces alongside Rowan Atkinson. Of course, Atkinson takes on the main character, Bernard Fripp. But he’s not alone in this short film; he’s got a good number of other actors with him. For example, Nigel Hawthorne is in it, and so is Jim Broadbent. These are actors who, you know, have gone on to do many other memorable things, so seeing them together in this earlier work is pretty neat, actually.
The film also features Peter Bull, who plays Bernard's mind doctor, someone named Dr. Alphonse Baxter. Then there's Jo Kendall, who takes on the part of the doctor's front desk person. These supporting characters, basically, help to round out the world Bernard finds himself in, adding to the overall feel of the story. It’s pretty clear that the filmmakers put together a solid collection of talent for this piece, which, honestly, helps the humor land just right.
Beyond those mentioned, the movie also includes other performers like Tim McInnerny, Ade Edmondson, Rupert Everett, and Nell Campbell. It’s a pretty diverse group of actors for a short film, which, in a way, speaks to the appeal of the project or the people involved. Having such a varied collection of individuals, you know, probably added different layers to the comedy and the overall feel of the film. It's a pretty good ensemble, to be honest, for a film of this kind.
How Does "Dead on Time" Explore Life's Strange Turns?
The central idea of "Dead on Time" is, obviously, a person being told they have very little time left to live. Bernard Fripp, as we know, gets the news that he has just about thirty minutes left. This information, basically, throws him into a state of confusion, and he starts looking for the best way to make the most of his last bits of time. It’s a pretty wild setup for a comedy, right? It really pushes the boundaries of what you might expect to find funny.
The story, you see, plays out moment by moment, which means you’re watching Bernard’s frantic efforts unfold almost as quickly as they happen. He’s stumbling along on a task to really experience his remaining moments to the fullest. This real-time approach, in a way, adds to the humor and the strange feeling of the film, because you’re right there with him as he tries to figure things out. It’s a pretty clever way to tell a story about such a serious topic, honestly.
This short film is described as a dark comedy, which means it’s funny but also deals with serious or sad parts. It looks into how strange things can be in life and the fact that death is sure to come, all with clever humor and perfectly timed actions. It’s a film that, basically, makes you think about these big ideas while also giving you a good laugh. It’s pretty much a balancing act between the serious and the silly, and it seems to pull it off, definitely.
Was Rowan Atkinson's "Dead on Time" a New Idea?
The main idea of "Dead on Time," where someone finds out they have a very short time left to live, is not a completely new idea in storytelling, you know? It’s a concept that has been seen before in different forms of media. However, the way "Dead on Time" handles this material, the specific choices made in its execution, is what makes it stand out. It’s pretty much about how you tell the story, even if the core idea has been explored before, which is a common thing in creative works, to be honest.
One interesting thing about Bernard Fripp, Atkinson’s character in the film, is that he’s described as a quiet and gentle person, a bit uncomfortable around others, and with a super strong need to be prompt. This portrayal, as a matter of fact, is a different version of an earlier character Atkinson played. That character, Robert Box, showed up in a 1979 special called "Canned Laughter." So, you know, it’s pretty clear that Atkinson was, more or less, revisiting and refining certain comedic ideas and character types he enjoyed exploring.
The film also has a similar funny bit, or "gag," that was used in "Canned Laughter." This suggests that the creators were, basically, building on some established comedic elements that they knew worked well. While the main idea might not be entirely fresh, the specific way the humor is delivered and the characters are presented in "Dead on Time" are what give it its own feel. It’s pretty much a testament to how creative minds can take an existing concept and make it their own, which is a pretty cool thing to see.
Where Can You Watch Rowan Atkinson's "Dead on Time" Today?
For those who are curious to see this less known work of Rowan Atkinson, "Dead on Time" is available on a few different services. You can watch it if you pay for a service like FuboTV, for example. So, if you have a subscription there, you’re pretty much all set to check it out. It’s nice to know that these older, more uncommon video clips are still accessible for people who want to explore an actor’s full range of projects, you know?
Beyond the paid options, there are also places where you can watch "Dead on Time" without paying. It’s available for free on Tubi, which is pretty convenient for many viewers. And, basically, you can also find it for free on Sony Crackle. Plus, the text mentions it’s available on three other platforms as well, though it doesn't name them specifically. This means there are, honestly, quite a few ways to catch this short film, making it fairly easy to track down if you’re interested in seeing this piece of Rowan Atkinson's history.
It’s often said that there’s never a bad moment to share uncommon video of Rowan Atkinson, and this short film is, definitely, one of his least known works. So, finding it available on these streaming services is, in a way, a good thing for fans and anyone interested in his early career. It allows people to see a side of his acting that might not be as widely recognized as his bigger roles, giving a more complete picture of his creative journey, you know, pretty much showing his diverse talents.
When Did Rowan Atkinson Make "Dead on Time"?
The short film "Dead on Time" had its filming done in early 1982. This was a busy period for Rowan Atkinson, as he was, basically, juggling a few significant projects around that time. It’s interesting to think about how all these creative endeavors were happening more or less simultaneously, showing his dedication to his craft. So, you know, while one project was being put together, he was already moving onto the next, which is pretty typical for busy performers.
At the same time that "Dead on Time" was being filmed, Atkinson was finishing up recording for "Not the Nine O'Clock News." This was a very popular sketch comedy show on television that helped make him a household name in Britain. So, you know, he was wrapping up one successful venture while, essentially, getting started on another. It really shows how much creative energy he had during that part of his career, pretty much going from one big project to the next.
Right after he finished with "Not the Nine O'Clock News," Atkinson started creating "The Black Adder." This show, as a matter of fact, would become another one of his most famous roles. "Dead on Time" then showed for the first time later in 1982, and it got a wide showing in movie houses in February 1983. So, you see, this short film fits right into a very important period of his career, a time when he was, definitely, making big moves in both television and film, shaping what audiences would come to expect from him.
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