Mr Benn Season 1 Episode 1 Episode 1: The Red Knight
- February 24, 1971
- 14 min
-
7.2 (15)
Mr Benn is a British animated television show which tells the story of a gentleman named Mr Benn who lives in a suburban street located in London. The show follows Mr Benn as he enters a magical fancy dress shop and tries on costumes that transport him to different worlds. Each episode sees Mr Benn in a different costume, exploring new environments and meeting new characters.
Episode 1: The Red Knight sees Mr Benn enter the fancy dress shop and try on a suit of armour, transported back in time to a medieval kingdom. Mr Benn finds himself in a lush green forest and is soon confronted by the Red Knight, an imposing figure on horseback dressed in full armour. The Red Knight challenges Mr Benn to a jousting tournament, with the winner to be named the best knight in the kingdom.
Armed with a wooden horse and makeshift lance, Mr Benn takes part in the tournament and overcomes all obstacles to defeat the Red Knight, much to the delight of the cheering crowds and the King, who presents him with a golden trophy. But Mr Benn soon discovers all is not as it seems in the kingdom, as the Red Knight is a kind and gentle performer who has been forced into his role by an evil sorcerer.
Mr Benn helps the Red Knight by defeating the sorcerer and freeing him from his spell. The Red Knight is grateful and rewards Mr Benn with a magical red feather which enables him to fly back to the fancy dress shop. The episode ends with Mr Benn returning home to his suburban street, his experience as a knight etched in his memory forever.
The animation in Mr Benn is beautifully drawn and creates a nostalgic feel of a time before computer-generated animation. The voice acting is also superb, with Ray Brooks providing the voice of Mr Benn and adding a sense of warmth and charm to the character.
What makes Mr Benn stand out as a show is its ability to transport children into different worlds and open their imaginations to endless possibilities. The idea of a magical fancy dress shop where anything is possible is a truly brilliant concept and the show executes it perfectly. It's a show that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike and has stood the test of time, remaining popular over four decades after its initial release.
In conclusion, episode 1 of Mr Benn is a fantastic introduction to this beloved show. The story is engaging, the animation is beautiful, and the characters are endearing. It's a show that encourages imagination and creativity in children and offers a sense of nostalgia for adults who may have grown up with it. The Red Knight is just one of many adventures Mr Benn embarks on, and it sets the tone perfectly for the rest of the series.