Arena (1975)
Season 2004
Wide-ranging arts program.
Where to Watch Season 2004
5 Episodes
- Pavarotti: The Last TenorE1
Pavarotti: The Last TenorFor 40 years, Luciano Pavarotti has been hailed as one of the greatest tenors of all time, an artist fit to rank alongside the great Caruso. As his career reaches its climax, this documentary, showing as part of the BBC's Summer of Opera, chronicles his background and upbringing, and follows him as he performs to sell-out audiences on three continents, culminating with his valedictory performances of Tosca at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. - Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus
E2Searching for the Wrong-Eyed JesusA stunningly-photographed, thought-provoking road trip into the heart of the poor white American South. Singer Jim White takes his 1970 Chevy Impala through a gritty terrain of churches, prisons, truckstops, biker bars and coalmines. Along the way are roadside encounters with present-day musical mavericks the Handsome Family, David Johansen, David Eugene Edwards of 16 Horsepower and old-time banjo player Lee Sexton, and grisly stories from the cult Southern novelist Harry Crews. - Shadowing The Third ManE3
Shadowing The Third ManThe fractured state of Europe after World War II was perfectly captured in Carol Reed's thriller The Third Man. Set in Vienna and with Orson Welles starring unforgettably as the mysterious Harry Lime, it showcased some of Graham Greene's finest screenwriting. With unlimited access to the original movie, Arena explores the filmmaking artistry, moral world and furious infighting behind the film. - Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?
E4Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball?A celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Secret Policeman's Ball in aid of Amnesty International. Many of Britain's finest comedians, including John Cleese, Sir Bob Geldof, Alan Bennett, Jennifer Saunders, Stephen Fry, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, Ruby Wax, Lenny Henry, Sting, Phil Collins and Rowan Atkinson are reunited in a reflection of the changes in British comedy over the last quarter of a century. The film examines the event, with interviews and recollections of the original stars alongside classic comedy moments. - Painting the Clouds: A Portrait of Dennis PotterE5
Painting the Clouds: A Portrait of Dennis PotterMarking the 10th anniversary of his death, Arena presents this feature-length profile. It charts his childhood, time at Oxford, bid for parliament and rise as a constant controversial TV dramatist who was loved and loathed in equal measure. As well as clips from 'The Singing Detective', 'Pennies from Heaven' and 'Blue Remembered Hills', Potter's three children and sister talk on screen for the first time about life with him.