Mr Benn: The Ultimate Collection 4K and Blu-Ray Releasing November

As if by magic.. Mr Benn appeared. British viewers of a certain vintage will likely be very familiar with the BBC TV series of the same name. Originally broadcast between 1971-72 (but frequently repeated throughout the following decades), the series is regarded as once of the most beloved British animated series of all time. Based on the childrens' book series by late author and illustrator David Mckee, the series ran for just 13 episodes. But that has done nothing to dent its classic status. Mr Benn was a rather well-dressed gentleman who lived at 52 Festive Road in London. Every episode he would pay a visit to a local fancy-dress shop (or costume shop), where the shopkeeper would offer him a new costume to try on. In the changing room, he would enter a magical door, which would transport him to an adventure themed on that particular outfit. Across the course of the series he dresses up as a knight, cowboy, clown, pirate and more. One final episode was produced in 2005, and originally broadcast on Nick Jr.

This November, Fabulous Films will release the series for the first time on 4K and Blu-Ray in the UK. Mr Benn The Ultimate Collection will contain all 14 episodes on both 4K UHD and Blu-Ray. A sepearte Blu-Ray only edition will also be offered.  The series has been completley remastered and restored from the original 16mm prints and is optomised for 4K. The collection also includes extra features including the As If By Magic documentary and a restoration comparison.

The series will be presented in beautiful packaging. The Ultimate Edition is housed in a a clamshell box with an O-ring and a slipcase. It also contains an invitation card, a Mr Benn Standee and a fourteen-panel concertina showing all of Mr Benn’s characters, as well as an episode guide booklet and a reformatted hard back book written by McKee.

The series remains relevant to this day, with plans to turn it into a live-action film from the director of the BAFTA winning I Swear. The series was voted 3rd in a BBC poll of All-Time Favourite Children's Shows and came 6th in Channel 4's 100 Greatest Kid's TV Shows, as well as being named 10th Most Famous Time Traveller by The Times. This is an opportunity for nostalgic adults to revisit a much-loved memory from childhood, and see it looking better than ever. It's also a chance for new generations of children to be introduced to the simple charms of the man from Festive Road. 

The Ultimate Edition can be preordered here (Amazon Link).