BBC Documentaries
Season 2016
TV-PG
Documentaries produced by or for the BBC
Where to Watch Season 2016
300 Episodes
- The Joy of Rachmaninoff
E1The Joy of RachmaninoffTom Service takes a cinematic journey through Russia on the trail of the wondrous yet melancholic melodies of Russian giant Sergei Rachmaninoff. A celebration of a composer's musical triumph over critical adversity and Soviet terror, with performances and contributions from Vladimir Ashkenazy, Denis Matsuev, Steven Isserlis, Stephen Hough, Vladimir Jurowski, Lucy Parham and James Rhodes. - Leningrad and the Orchestra That Defied Hitler
E2Leningrad and the Orchestra That Defied HitlerIn August 1942, a concert took place in Leningrad that defies belief. A year earlier, the Germans had begun the deadliest siege in history which would kill three quarters of a million civilians. In the midst of the terror, a group of starving musicians assembled to perform Shostakovich's 7th Symphony in what would become a defiant moment in the city's ultimate survival. Historian Amanda Vickery and BBC Radio 3 presenter Tom Service reveal the extraordinary story of triumph of the human spirit over unspeakable terror. Amanda shows how Leningrad was simultaneously persecuted by Stalin and Hitler, the 'twin monsters' of the 20th century. Meeting with siege survivors and uncovering diaries and photographs, she reveals the reality of life in Leningrad as it literally starved to death. Meanwhile, Tom explores the thin line walked by Dmitri Shostakovich as the composer came perilously close to becoming a victim of Stalin's paranoia, and reveals how, as Leningrad starved, his 7th Symphony was performed around the world, uniting audiences against a common enemy before finally returning to the city. Shot entirely on location in St Petersburg, the story is interwoven with excerpts of the symphony performed specially by the St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Maxim Shostakovich, the composer's son. - Britain's Muslim SoldiersE3
Britain's Muslim SoldiersThis timely one-off documentary follows the story of the restoration of a forgotten and dilapidated burial ground for 27 Muslim soldiers who gave their lives fighting for Britain in two world wars. Shot over three years, the film shows the struggle of two understated pioneers - Zafar Iqbal, a Muslim from Woking Borough Council, and Elizabeth Cuttle, a local Surrey history enthusiast - as they battle to get this small plot of land restored and recogonised as a symbol of an important and largely unknown part of British history. Using archive material and interviews with historians and surviving descendants, the film also reveals the stories of some of the Muslim soldiers once buried here, and through their experiences the history of the Muslim contribution to the British war effort in World War I unfolds. The film ends with the voices of modern Muslims who believe this shared narrative is one of the ways that prejudice and distrust of Islam in modern Britain might be overcome. - The Age of LonelinessE4
The Age of LonelinessIt has been said that this is the 'Age of Loneliness' and Britain was recently reported to be 'the loneliness capital of Europe'. This film by award-winning director Sue Bourne explores why the loneliness epidemic in Britain is affecting so many people of all ages with the problem so widespread and deep rooted that it is now seen as a major public health issue. Bourne travels the length and breadth of the country to find people brave enough to admit how lonely they are and go on camera and talk about how loneliness affects their lives. From Isobel, the 19-year-old student, Ben the divorcé, and Jaye the 40-year-old singleton, through to Olive, the 100-year-old who says she lives on 'lonely street', this film will strike a chord with many, many people. Each story in the film reveals the painful reality of loneliness, but these stories also offer hope because they also show how different people can and have alleviated their loneliness in some small, but hugely significant, way. Loneliness is a difficult subject to make a film about because no one really wants to admit they are lonely and, as a society, we are scared of being alone. But we are going to have to learn to deal with loneliness because more and more of us are now living alone and every year the numbers are rising. Loneliness is something we have to look at and understand better. This film could be the first important step in that process. - The Story of "The Day the Clown Cried"
E5The Story of "The Day the Clown Cried"In the early 1970s Hollywood actor Jerry Lewis started working on a Holocaust film so bizarre he ended up hiding all the footage. In this programme comedian David Schneider discovers exclusive unseen material from the film. - Big Hits: TOTP 1964 to 1975E6
Big Hits: TOTP 1964 to 19751964 saw the birth of a very British institution. Spanning over four decades, Top of the Pops has produced many classic moments in pop culture. Digging deep within the darkest depths of the BBC's archive, this compilation offers some memorable performances from 1964 through to 1975 from the likes of the Rolling Stones, Tom Jones, Status Quo, Procol Harum, Stevie Wonder, Queen and the Kinks, and opens the vintage vaults to rare performances from Stealers Wheel, Julie Driscoll, Peter Sarstedt and the Seekers. So sit back and witness once again where music met television. - The Millionaire's Gift Guide
E7The Millionaire's Gift GuideEnter the world of luxury through the eyes of the planners and suppliers who help the super rich spend their money. High-end event planners Sophie and Charlotte are launching a new venture at a stately home - a kids' Christmas party with real reindeer, a unicorn, balloons that cost £50 a pop and a cake worth £10,000. Vintage watch dealer Tom travels to Geneva for the world's top watch auction to learn whether his prized timepiece is worth the quarter of a million he wants for it. Personal stylist Daniel is in Mayfair to meet a client who, in just 10 minutes, signs off on several hundred thousand pounds of gifts. - Royal Wives at WarE8
Royal Wives at WarA revealing new look at the abdication crisis of 1936 through the eyes of the two women at its very heart. In a series of dramatised monologues set in 1967, Elizabeth the Queen Mother and Wallis Simpson look back at the dramatic events which led to King Edward VIII giving up the throne for the woman he loved. Combining drama reconstructions, archive footage and a chorus of acquaintances and biographers, Royal Wives at War returns to the some of the original words and opinions of the two women at the heart of that battle and unravels the story of a frosty relationship between the Queen Mother and Wallis that lasted for decades. - The Town That Took On The TaxmanE9
The Town That Took On The TaxmanFor some of the UK's biggest companies, paying corporation tax seems to be optional. Using devilishly complicated - but completely legal - accounting techniques, they can run rings around HMRC. Now, the small businesses of one Welsh town are fighting back. The local traders of Crickhowell in the Brecon Beacons are embarking on a mission to copy the techniques used by their multinational rivals, and to set up a DIY tax avoidance scheme of their very own. Presented by Heydon Prowse, co-presenter of BBC Three's The Revolution Will Be Televised, this film follows the owner of the local coffee shop, clothing stores, smokery, optician and bookshop of on their offshore mission. It is a journey that will take them to secretive tax havens, smart tax lawyers and even force a showdown with the taxman himself. Can they crack the secrets of the big tax avoiders and level the playing field for the small guy? - David Bowie: Sound and VisionE10
David Bowie: Sound and VisionA special programme on the life and music of David Bowie, presented by Jeremy Vine. Bowie was one of the most influential musicians of his time, constantly re-inventing his persona and sound, from the 1960s hippy of Space Oddity, through Ziggy Stardust and the Thin White Duke to his later incarnation as a soulful rocker. - Bad Dads' Army: The Hatton Garden HeistE11
Bad Dads' Army: The Hatton Garden HeistFollowing the court verdict, which saw more members of the gang responsible for Britain's biggest ever burglary convicted, this is the full, inside story of how they nearly pulled off Easter 2015's £14 million record-breaking heist. With exclusive access to the elite Flying Squad and their dramatic investigation, including remarkable covert surveillance of the thieves boasting at what they'd done and the moment loot was discovered hidden in a cemetery, this is the definitive story of the Hatton Garden heist. - Attenborough And The Giant DinosaurE12
Attenborough And The Giant DinosaurDavid Attenborough tells the story of the discovery and reconstruction in Argentina of the world's largest-known dinosaur, a brand new species of titanosaur. Measuring 37m long - close to four London buses put end to end - and weighing 70 metric tons, it now holds the record as the biggest animal ever to walk the Earth. In 2014, a shepherd spotted the tip of a gigantic fossil bone sticking out of a rock in La Flecha Farm in the Chubut Province in the Argentinian desert. Palaeontologists soon uncovered a massive 2.4m long (femur) thigh bone, the largest ever found. By the end of the dig they had uncovered more than 220 bones. As the programme reveals, these all belong to a new species of the giant plant-eating titanosaur. Filmed over the next two years, the documentary follows the twists and turns of this forensic investigation. Attenborough witnesses the uncovering and examination of these stupendous fossils and the dramatic construction of the complete skeleton. And using state-of-the-art graphics, the film also reveals the internal secrets of this dinosaur and what it means to be a giant. - Murder Games: The Life and Death of Breck BednarE13
Murder Games: The Life and Death of Breck BednarA teenage boy is targeted by an online predator after befriending him while gaming. Murder Games tells the true story of Breck Bednar, a 14-year-old schoolboy who was lured to his death after being groomed online by Lewis Daynes. For the first time, in this gripping docudrama Breck's young gaming friends have decided to tell their story - a tale of manipulation and deceit which engulfed their friend and sent shockwaves through the gaming community. The programme also follows Breck's parents and siblings as they struggle to come to terms with their son's murder, and hears from investigators tasked with piecing together the crime - working backwards from a chilling 999 call. - Children Saved From The Nazis: The Story Of Sir Nicholas WintonE14
Children Saved From The Nazis: The Story Of Sir Nicholas WintonIt is 1939 and Europe is on the brink of war. Hitler has invaded Czechoslovakia, threatening the lives of the Jewish population. Nicholas Winton, a young British stockbroker, decides he will do everything possible to save the lives of as many Jewish children as he can. This film, transmitting on Holocaust Memorial Day, tells the extraordinary story of how Nicholas Winton rescued 669 children from the clutches of the Nazis, bringing them by train to Britain. In order to provide a degree of credibility with both the British and Nazi governments of the day, Nicholas single-handedly established the British Committee for Refugees from Czechoslovakia - Children's Section, using it to obtain passports and visas for the children. He then organised for each child to be adopted by families throughout the country and their safe passage across Europe and into Britain. For nearly fifty years, Nicholas told no-one of his heroic deeds. His incredible story might never have come to light were it not for his wife who, fifty years later, found a suitcase in the attic containing a remarkable scrapbook full of documents and transport plans. The story then emerged in 1988 when the BBC's That's Life programme reunited over two dozen of his 'children' with their rescuer for the first time in a highly emotional broadcast. Featuring Nicholas's final film interview before his death last year aged 106, dramatic reconstruction of events and the testimonies of the rescued children. - Barely Legal GraftersE15
Barely Legal GraftersAn entertaining and insightful look at the modern-day entrepreneurs behind Britain's black market - and the dogged investigators out to get them. Director Max Shapira gains unique access into the lives of these characters as they use their wit and charm to try and make a living under the radar, away from the prying eye of the authorities. The film features fast-talking veteran tout of 35 years, Slim, who hopes to make a killing during the Rugby World Cup, former slick ad man-turned-tobacco smuggler Mark as he runs the gauntlet of Dover's customs officers, market trader Eric, busted for selling fake football shirts not long ago and put on tag, and partner Mary, purveyors of Smell-a-Like perfumes. On the other side of the chase, we ride along with ex-cop Graham, who runs Britain's premier anti-counterfeiting agency, and Trading Standards officer Lee, leading raids against shops selling dodgy fags across East Sussex, clad in her stab vest and armed with her trusty handbag. - Adam Pearson: Freak ShowE16
Adam Pearson: Freak ShowDocumentary in which actor and presenter Adam Pearson explores the world of freak shows and meets people who use their medical conditions to educate, entertain and make money. Adam has neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition that causes non-cancerous tumours called fibromas to grow along his nerve endings. Whilst these can grow anywhere, most of Adam's have grown on his face, causing severe disfigurement. Adam has been called 'monster', 'freak' and 'Elephant Man' because of his similarity to Joseph Merrick - one of the most famous freak show performers in history. It's a name he despises and something he has tried to distance himself from, even avoiding watching the film, but he was inspired to make this programme after being approached to work with a famous American freak show. To find out if his concerns regarding exploitation are true, Adam travels to America and spends time with travelling freak show 999 Eyes, meeting its most famous 'born freaks', Black Scorpion and Vlad Vendetta. He travels to Mexico to meet world-famous performer Jesus 'Chuy' Aceves, who is known onstage as Wolf Boy due to a condition that causes excess hair to grow on his face. Adam also meets people from modern-day freak shows such as actor Mat Fraser, who starred in the cult TV series American Horror Story: Freak Show. Will spending time with the performers change Adam's viewpoint, and could he be closer to the Elephant Man than he ever thought? Will he be inspired to take to the stage and put on his first one-man freak show? - Ryan Farquhar: Back On The RoadE17
Ryan Farquhar: Back On The RoadA compelling documentary following top motorcycle road racer Ryan Farquhar, who retired from competitive racing following the tragic death of his uncle, Trevor Ferguson, in a crash at the Manx GP. Within 18 months Ryan was back on the bike again, competing at the highest level while managing his own road-racing team and building their bikes in his garage. - Britain's Trillion Pound Island: Inside CaymanE18
Britain's Trillion Pound Island: Inside CaymanThe Cayman Islands. It is a Caribbean paradise of sun, sea and cocktails, but there is something else going on. Big money, big corporations... and seemingly no one paying a penny of tax. Now Jacques Peretti travels to Cayman in search of the truth about this controversial British tax haven, and uncovers some shocking revelations for what this sun-drenched island means for everyone back in Britain. Jacques meets the politicians, playboys and ex-pats on the islands in a bid to unravel the truth about a place with the population of Bognor Regis... but a trillion pounds in the bank! - Lemmy: In His Own WordsE19
Lemmy: In His Own WordsIan Fraser Kilmister, a.k.a. Lemmy & Motörhead frontman/songwriter is credited with introducing punk sounds into the heavy metal mix, paving the way for a generation of thrash metal and speed metal followers. Lemmy was a one-off who walked it like he talked it and while he embodied the rock n roll lifestyle up until his recent death, his influence as a musician and songwriter should not be underestimated. This programme offers Lemmy's own overview of his journey through interviews he gave for various BBC documentaries including Metal Britannia and features material never previously broadcast, along with classic Motörhead Top of the Pops' studio performances to celebrate one of rock music's most charismatic frontmen who helped pioneer hard rock and heavy metal. - Burns, My Dad and MeE20
Burns, My Dad and MeBill McCue was a TV star in the 70s and 80s and one of the founding singers with Scottish Opera. With his powerful bass voice and endless enthusiasm for all things Scottish, Bill introduced many a Scot to the songs of Robert Burns. As a teenager, his daughter Kirsteen felt that Robert Burns was an unwanted intrusion into her life: 'Burns was on such a pedestal in our house, it almost put me off'. Now a professor at Glasgow University and a leading expert on Burns, Kirsteen has changed her tune. With Karine Polwart, Jamie MacDougall and rare archive footage. - Goya Exposed with Jake ChapmanE21
Goya Exposed with Jake ChapmanThroughout their artistic career, Jake and Dinos Chapman have returned again and again to a single artwork by the great Spanish artist Francisco de Goya. The Disasters of War are a set of 83 etchings that offer a harrowing account of the atrocities of the Peninsular War (1807-14), but for Jake Chapman they are much more than a matter of historical record. They have provided the inspiration for countless Chapman Brothers artworks across more than two decades, from model recreations and 'rectified' prints to shop mannequins and full-scale sculptures in bronze, some of which were nominated for the Turner Prize. In this film, Jake explores why Goya's famous etching series is so central to his art. He re-examines his relationship to the Spanish artist by visiting Goya's hometown Zaragoza for the first time, and by spending time at the Prado in Madrid where some of Goya's greatest works hang on the walls. As Jake works on a new 'Disasters of War' model in his London studio, he explains why for him there is a fundamental conflict at the heart of Goya's art - in their gruesome detail his images seem to celebrate violence rather than protest against it. Jake explores this contradiction that art history has chosen to ignore, and explains how it tells us something profound about the way we see ourselves and our past. - Patrick Kielty's Mulholland Drive
E22Patrick Kielty's Mulholland DrivePatrick Kielty's journey to find the truth about William Mulholland, the man who provided water for Los Angeles. Patrick's family are water men - from his great-grandfather to his father, they all worked for the water company in Northern Ireland. Water runs in his veins, along with gin on a Sunday night. Nowadays his second home is Los Angeles, so he was surprised to discover that the man who gave LA its water, and hence made the city we know today possible, was from Belfast. That man was William Mulholland, and this is Patrick's journey to find out why no-one has really heard of him. - Troll HuntersE23
Troll HuntersHigh-profile beauty vlogger Em Ford was a victim of online abuse and fought back. Now she targets the alarming rise of online abuse in Britain by trying to track down the trolls responsible. With the help of technology journalist David McClelland, Em investigates this very modern menace. She is on a mission to put a face to these anonymous bullies and to confront them with their victims. In its most extreme form, trolling is a criminal offence - one that is being increasingly pursued by the British police - but anonymity remains a major barrier to conviction. The film investigates online anonymity and proves that it is possible to track down a troll. It shines a light on the real-world impact of online bullying and encourages cyber-victims to put a stop to the hatred levelled at them by standing up to their trolls. Trolling is a phenomenon that has swept across the web in recent years. On a daily basis, an audience of millions sits back and witnesses the ultimate humiliation of civilians and celebrities alike on social networking sites. Opponents say it is the internet equivalent of assault, while supporters argue it is about humour, mischief and freedom of speech. In any case, trolling has escalated to levels so severe that some victims are succumbing to anxiety, depression and, in the very worst cases, suicide. Ultimately, Troll Hunters is here to name, shame and lay down the law to Britain's worst offenders and to unpick the psychology of what makes a troll tick. - Pierre Boulez at the BBC: Master and MaverickE24
Pierre Boulez at the BBC: Master and MaverickTom Service presents 40 years of great BBC archive featuring the French composer, conductor and musical icon Pierre Boulez, who died on 5th January 2016 at the age of 90. Opinionated and challenging, Boulez transformed the way that musicians and audiences all over the world think about contemporary music. With orchestras including the BBC Symphony, he rehearses and performs Debussy, Stravinsky and Bartok, as well as a selection of his own extraordinary compositions. Boulez's relationship with the BBC began in the 1960s and blossomed during his years as chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra - leaving a vivid legacy in the BBC's TV archive. - Rise of the Superstar VloggersE25
Rise of the Superstar VloggersAs YouTube celebrates its tenth birthday, vloggers now sell out stadiums and have fanbases boy bands would kill for. Jim Chapman, himself a superstar vlogger with quarter of a billion views of his videos, takes us behind the scenes of the biggest vloggers on the planet. Jim meets Tyler Oakley, whose vlogs have earned him an audience with President Obama. He hangs out with Ingrid Nilsen, whose 'coming out' video drew an audience of twelve million and hears from her viewers about the impact it has had on them. He visits Alfie Deyes, who is now immortalised in wax in Madame Tussaud's alongside his vlogging girlfriend Zoella. We hear from KSI about how a vlogger from Watford was named by Variety magazine as more influential than Taylor Swift, and from Joe Sugg, whose new movie became the fastest selling DVD on Amazon. Jim investigates just how powerful vlogs can be to legions of fans and how vlogging is being used for everything from sex education to supporting those with mental health conditions. He also investigates the darker side of vlogging, from inappropriate interactions with young fans to prank videos that lead to abuse. Jim asks just what makes vlogging so popular, and where its future lies. - Bloody Queens: Elizabeth and MaryE26
Bloody Queens: Elizabeth and MaryOf all the dangers Elizabeth I had to survive - the Spanish Armada, a Catholic continent plotting against her incessantly, restless nobles uneasy at serving a queen who refused to marry - none was so personally intense as her rivalry with another woman - her cousin and fellow queen, Mary, Queen of Scots. This was her longest, most gruelling battle - lasting over two decades, it threatened to tear apart both Elizabeth and her kingdom. In the end, it would force her to make the hardest decision of her life. The two queens stared across the ultimate divides of their time: Protestant and Catholic, Tudor and Stuart, English and Scottish. Their fascination with one another grew into the greatest queenly face-off in our entire history. And yet, in 26 years of mutual obsession, they never actually met. Their confrontation was carried out through letters - a war of words so heartfelt and revealing that the two queens' passions can still be felt. For the first time on television, this chronicle of love turned to hatred, of trust betrayed by plot and bloodshed, is dramatised purely from the original words of the two queens and their courtiers. Expert historians examine, interpret and argue over the monarchs' motives for their 'duel to the death' - for in the end only one queen could survive such emotional combat. - The SupergamersE27
The SupergamersDocumentary which opens a window on the bizarre community of e-sports that has been almost invisible to the outside world up to now. Three young British gamers at different stages of their careers all have dreams of reaching the very top. The overnight sensation from Tottenham - gamers' name KaSing - lives in Berlin, playing in one of Europe's top teams. His 20-year-old former teammate Matt, nicknamed Impaler, is having a crisis of confidence about his once-flourishing career. And the 17-year-old hopeful Greensheep is struggling to break through on to the big stage. Over a summer of competition, we follow these three in training, at school, and at the enormous tournaments where they pit their skills against elite gamers from all over the world. Competition is fierce, and those at the top in team games need to practise for up to 12 hours a day - living together, eating together and training together in houses paid for by multinational sponsors. The film is presented by YouTube star and gaming addict Dan Howell, who's watched gaming change from a hobby into a mass spectator sport watched by millions around the world. He knew about the incredible keyboard dexterity of these gamers, but on his travels around Europe he tries to understand the risks and sacrifices they've made to reach the top of their chosen profession. - The Virtual Reality VirginE28
The Virtual Reality VirginTyger Drew-Honey has never really experienced virtual reality. But all that is about to change. With high-spec virtual reality headsets expected to become widely available within the next few months, Tyger explores how they could change everything - from how we meet up with our friends to the way we have sex. He experiences one of the most successful virtual worlds and has his own lifelike avatar created. And he meets the man who makes robot sex dolls that you can programme via an app on your tablet to be the perfect partner. 'If you don't want her to be smart she won't be smart, if you want her to be shy she will be shy.'. - Webcam BoysE29
Webcam BoysOver the last five years more than 100,000 British men have done webcam shows for money. Following the lives of four men, this documentary goes inside this multi-billon-pound global industry. Martyn works full-time as a webcam model, performing sex shows, often with his male friends, for anyone who's willing to pay. 'We never touch each other. We're just in the same room.' Martyn is only 22, but has been webcamming since he was 16 and dreams of building a webcam business that will make him rich. Joseph cams five nights a week from the comfort of a shed that his parents have refurbished especially for his online career. 'Webcamming has been very good for Joey's social life', explains his mother. - Camila's Kids Company - The Inside StoryE30
Camila's Kids Company - The Inside StoryWith astonishingly intimate and unique access, this film tells the dramatic, unfolding story of the demise of one of Britain's best-known charities and the ultimate fall from grace of its founder Camila Batmanghelidjh. Throughout a summer of accusations and allegations award-winning documentary director Lynn Alleway follows Camila at close quarters and witnesses first-hand her fight to save the charity she founded 19 years previously. As filming begins it isn't yet public knowledge that the charity is teetering on the edge of insolvency and that the government is demanding that Camila stands down as CEO. Lynn films inside Kids Company HQ as the story breaks and the charity finds itself hitting the headlines on a daily basis. As allegations of mismanagement and money being misspent mount, Camila stands firm, resisting moves to downsize and make staff redundant, and she vows to fight on and save the charity. The film addresses questions about what really happened to Kids Company. The director shifts from confidante to interrogator, bringing an emotional resonance to a familiar news story. But while the charity is no more, those in need have not gone away. As for Camila, she remains defiant - she is down, but not out. - Professor Green: Hidden And HomelessE31
Professor Green: Hidden And HomelessThe latest estimates show that the number of young people in the UK who experience homelessness every year is over three times the official figures (1) and (2). In this thought-provoking new BBC Three documentary, Professor Green - aka Stephen Manderson - sets out to discover the modern face of homelessness in the UK, aiming to change our perceptions of who the young homeless are while exploring the harsh reality of their lives. With recent UK-based statistics showing that more than half of those seeking help with homelessness are under 25 (3), Stephen investigates this pressing issue which is affecting young people in greater numbers. But what do we recognise as homeless today? From the streets of Manchester, where rough sleeping has shockingly doubled in the last year (4), Stephen spends time with a 21 year-old man who has already fallen through the cracks in the system. Yet homelessness is not always so visible to society, as Stephen finds when he meets others trapped in the cycle of temporary hostel life and sofa surfing. On this eye-opening journey he’ll uncover a generation of people without access to normal society or a future - and ask whether rising levels of youth homelessness could bring us dangerously close a national epidemic. (1) Over 80,000 young people experience homelessness every year in the UK (2) Homelessness statistics from the Department for Communities and Local Government (3) 52 percent of those seeking help with homelessness are under 25 (4) In Manchester rough sleeping has doubled in the last year - How To Die: Simon's ChoiceE32
How To Die: Simon's ChoiceMade in partnership with The Open University, How To Die: Simon’s Choice tells the poignant story of one man facing the unimaginable decision of whether to end his life at a suicide clinic. "I thought they'd be indifferent to the timing of my demise,” says Simon Binner in this observational documentary about his life and eventual death. “I was so wrong.” Simon, whose story went public and became the subject of media attention following his death last year, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of motor neurone disease in January 2015 and given just two years to live. After telling his loved ones that he was considering ending his life at an assisted suicide clinic in Switzerland, Simon and his family and friends grapple with huge moral, emotional and legal dilemmas around his choice. As this moving film shows, their conflicting perspectives mean that his heart wrenching decision lies in the balance until the very end. In a British television first, the documentary gains access to Switzerland’s second largest assisted suicide clinic, the Eternal Spirit centre, where Simon initially makes an appointment to end his life on a set date - his birthday. Simon’s final moments were filmed by medical professionals at the clinic, who are legally required to record their patients’ final decision to take the lethal dose. This has been included within the film, however it does not show the moment of death. - Britains Brainiest SchoolE33
Britains Brainiest SchoolCardiff Sixth Form College opens its doors to reveal the secrets behind staying on top of the independent schools' league table. Set up just ten years ago, it's the brainchild of 32-year-old self-confessed 'Tiger Mum' Yasmin, who blends Eastern and Western approaches to education, and adds her own brand of passion and discipline. But how will she deal with disgruntled students when she increases the length of the school day? And there's a difficult decision to be made when a desperate scholarship student doesn't make the grade. Showing as part of How Wales Works. - The Most Dangerous Band in the World: The Story of Guns N' RosesE35
The Most Dangerous Band in the World: The Story of Guns N' RosesIt was 1985. Guns N' Roses were soon to be known as the last mammoth rock entity to come out of LA after selling over 100 million albums. Jon Brewer brings alive never-before-seen video footage of Guns N' Roses in their earliest days as a fledgling band, filmed and meticulously archived over the years by their close friend. They became known as 'the most dangerous band in the world' and retained the title for reasons this film portrays, via interviews with band members and those who were there on, and off, tour. Venture down seedy Sunset Strip to the Whiskey, the Rainbow and the Roxy, all known as 'the Jungle'. - The Not So Secret Life of the Manic Depressive: 10 Years OnE36
The Not So Secret Life of the Manic Depressive: 10 Years OnTen years since Stephen Fry’s The Secret Life Of The Manic Depressive started a national conversation about mental health, The Not So Secret Life Of the Manic Depressive: 10 Years On looks at the experiences of Stephen and others with bipolar (as it is now called) now. As a society, do we need to do more for those with the illness? Is the treatment better? Has the stigma reduced? In the new film we see how different people of all ages deal with bipolar: we meet Alika, whose manic episode on the London Underground became a YouTube sensation - damning evidence that the stigma of mental illness isn’t diminishing quickly enough; Scott, who is battling to hold down his job as a chef and his role as a husband and father, but whose early attempts to control his bipolar with medication caused intolerable side-effects; and Rachel, whose first manic episode at age 19 led to life-changing injuries when she believed she could fly, leaving her in a wheelchair. And we return to meet Cordelia who featured in the original series, an academic high-achiever struggling to find a place for herself in the world. Now in her 30s, Cordelia is still battling with bipolar so powerful that it eclipses even the cancer she is dying from. Interviews with Stephen Fry give a privileged insight into what living with bipolar really means: he talks about the time he attempted suicide when he was filming in Uganda in 2012; how his busy lifestyle exacerbates his condition and the moment he realised his condition couldn't be cured, but only managed. Stephen is now the president of Mind. Looking at the changes of the past decade, he finds cause for optimism in the increased awareness of bipolar, especially among the young. And the film gives a powerful insight into what it meant to live with bipolar in the past, what it means in the present and - most significantly for the contributors - in the future. - Botticelli's Venus: The Making of an Icon
E37Botticelli's Venus: The Making of an IconIn this 1x30’ film for BBC Four, artist and entrepreneur Sam Roddick, founder of Coco de Mer, explores the enduring appeal of a Renaissance masterpiece: Botticelli’s Birth Of Venus. A joyous celebration of female sexuality, its journey to worldwide fame was far from straightforward and it lay in obscurity for centuries. - My Baby, Psychosis And MeE38
My Baby, Psychosis And MeMy Baby, Psychosis And Me reveals the frightening rollercoaster journey of two mums, for whom childbirth triggers Postpartum Psychosis, one of the most severe forms of mental illness there is, but from which there can be recovery with the right treatment. It is a condition most expectant mothers and their families have never heard of, but it affect around one in every 500 women who give birth. The sudden onset of a psychotic episode causes new mothers to be overwhelmed by extreme low or high moods, strange and dangerous thoughts, paranoia, delusions such as the belief that they have given birth to Jesus or the devil. This is the untold story of what it means to battle this terrifying condition. Filmed over six months, we closely follow the intense experiences of two women, Jenny and Hannah, and their families, as they are cared for at Winchester’s Mother And Baby Unit. Behind the closed doors of this specialist psychiatric ward, Dr Alain Gregoire and his expert team give women the care and intensive treatment needed to bring them back to recovery. While psychosis is the most severe form of mental distress psychiatrists see, with the right medication and psychological support most women can return home within six weeks. And round-the-clock support with childcare enables mums and their babies to stay together, rather than face a damaging separation. From the bedroom to the nursery, the hospital theatre to the psychiatrist’s chair, we see the most personal moments of motherhood and mental illness play out for Jenny and Hannah, as Dr Gregoire and his team face two of the most challenging cases they’ve experienced. But in one respect Jenny and Hannah are fortunate - they have access to the expert treatment they desperately need. With a severe shortage of specialist psychiatric care for mums-to-be and new mothers, it’s a postcode lottery whether women get the expert help they urgently need. - In Private View: Neelam Gill On VogueE39
In Private View: Neelam Gill On VogueHighly sought-after British model Neelam Gill takes viewers on a Private View of the Vogue 100: A Century Of Style showcase at the National Portrait Gallery. The exhibition will celebrate 100 years of cutting edge fashion, beauty and portrait photography by British Vogue, and Neelam, the first British-Indian model to be cast by leading fashion brands, will take the audience on an exclusive tour of the collection. - Annabel's Nightclub: A String of Naked LightbulbsE40
Annabel's Nightclub: A String of Naked LightbulbsAnnabel's has long been the playground for the rich and famous, and now its story comes to life in this 50-year history of the most celebrated nightclub in the world. Renowned for its discretion, and as a haunt of some of our greatest celebrities, the film offers a hitherto unseen glimpse into the rarefied worlds behind the doors of 44 Berkeley Square. As London's very first members-only nightclub, Annabel's remains the only nightclub visited by the Queen, and once courted infamy for refusing entry to the Beatles. The documentary provides a cultural biopsy of London since the Second World War, and the club's history from inception through to the present day. - Montalbano and Me: Andrea CamilleriE41
Montalbano and Me: Andrea CamilleriWho is the man behind Inspector Montalbano? An intimate portrait of acclaimed Italian novelist Andrea Camilleri gives us access to the man himself, his work and personal history, including Camilleri's undying attachment to his native Sicily. In Italian with English subtitles. - Rick Stein's Taste of Shanghai
E42Rick Stein's Taste of ShanghaiShanghai is one of the biggest cities in the world and is rapidly expanding, but has it hung on to its culinary roots? Rick Stein wants to find out. 'We all love a Chinese - the sweet and the sour, the freshness, the crunchiness, the colours, the smell of five spice and soy. I'll be finding the pockets of traditional food still left in this city - the dishes that the Shanghainese long for away from home. I'm going to taste rich red braised pork, Chairman Mao's favourite, the city's cherished hairy crabs and mouthwatering dumplings, unique to Shanghai, so delicate they sag under the weight of the hot liquid inside and burst at the lightest touch. And I want to add a few more dishes to your Chinese repertoire. I'm going to share my favourite Shanghainese dishes from this trip. If, like me, you thought you knew Chinese food, you're in for a surprise.'. - Addicted to SheepE43
Addicted to SheepSet in the North Pennines, an intimate portrait of a year in the life of tenant hill farmers Tom and Kay Hutchinson as they try to breed the perfect sheep. Through the sun, rain, sleet and snow, we watch the Hutchinsons toil away against the stark, stunning landscapes of north east England and witness the hard work it takes just to survive. Their three young children are growing up close to the land, attending the local primary school entirely comprised of farmers' children, all thoroughly immersed in their remote rural world. While the odds often seem stacked against them, the film conveys the importance of a balanced family life and the good humour that binds this tight-knit community together. An entertaining and subtle reminder of how important farming is to the economy and the social fabric of our communities. Following your passion does have its rewards, although not always financial. Beautifully observed, this heartwarming film provides an insight into the past, present and future of a way of life far removed from the high-tech hustle and bustle of modern life. - The Docklands Bomb: Executing PeaceE44
The Docklands Bomb: Executing PeaceTwenty years after the Docklands bomb exploded in London, this film tells the dramatic story of the IRA operation to end its ceasefire and how the security forces in London and Northern Ireland tracked down the bombers. When US President Bill Clinton visited Northern Ireland in November 1995, there was a celebration of peace on the streets. But, unknown to him, on the same day the IRA was already planning the attack that would end its 17-month ceasefire. Against the backdrop of an extraordinary political climate and knife-edge road to peace, The Docklands Bomb: Executing Peace unpacks the events that led to the bombing and follows the trail that led police to the South Armagh team behind it. - Grime Scene QueensE45
Grime Scene QueensThey criss-cross Scotland going into places where others fear to tread, an all-girl extreme cleaning team led by Marie Fagan and her best friend Lesley. Running your own business isn't easy and as Marie struggles to keep her business alive, the pressure is on her daughter Rhiannon to step up to the mark and become a Grime Scene Queen. - Stacey Dooley in Cologne: The Blame GameE46
Stacey Dooley in Cologne: The Blame GameIn Cologne, large numbers of women reported being sexually assaulted and robbed on New Year's Eve by groups of men described as of North African or Arab in appearance. Stacey Dooley travels to the city to investigate the fall-out of these attacks. She gets to the heart of both the pro- and anti-immigrant protests which have broken out in the city since the attacks, but are activists just jumping on the bandwagon to further their political agenda? - The Easybeats to AC/DC: The Story of Aussie Rock
E47The Easybeats to AC/DC: The Story of Aussie RockA film about the sound of Australian rock and the emergence of one of the world's greatest rock bands - AC/DC, or Acca Dacca as they are known in Australia, and the legendary music company, Albert Music (Alberts) that helped launched them on to the global rock scene. Through the 1960s, 70s and 80s, Alberts created a house of hits in Australia that literally changed the sound of Australian popular music. It started with the Easybeats and their international hit Friday On My Mind back in the 60s. In the 1970s when Australia was in the midst of a deep recession, a rough and ready pub rock sound emerged, characterised by bands like Rose Tattoo who were promoted by family-run company, Alberts. The raw power and fat guitar sound that characterised Aussie rock was pioneered by the Alberts and took Australia and the world by storm. - Ireland's Treasures UncoveredE49
Ireland's Treasures UncoveredIreland's Treasures Uncovered tells the story of the iconic Irish artefacts that have helped to shape and create modern Ireland, both north and south. The programme reveals the surprising tales behind treasures such as the Tara Broach, the Broighter Hoard, the Waterford Charter Roll and others, revealing new stories behind the artefacts that we thought we knew. It also reveals the most recent astounding finds that are adding to the list of Ireland's Treasures. Using key access to Ireland's two largest museums, in Belfast and Dublin, the programme brings together archaeologists and curators who have spent their lives working to understand the true context for these emblematic treasures. - Before I Kick the Bucket: The Whole StoryE50
Before I Kick the Bucket: The Whole StoryIn this up-to-date and extended version of the original programme, we catch up with the extraordinary Rowena Kincaid - young, beautiful, exceedingly funny and terminally ill. Prepare for more heartwarming revelations, side-splitting laughter and heartache as she finally reveals what's really on her bucket list and then fights against time and her illness to try to achieve it. - Facelifts and FillersE51
Facelifts and FillersGoing under the knife - or the needle - to improve our looks is no longer solely the preserve of Hollywood stars. This film gives a remarkable insight into what is now a huge part of everyday life in modern Scotland - the mission to stay forever young. Our cameras have been given exclusive access to follow the doctor and patients at one of Scotland's busiest cosmetic medicine clinics - we will seek to discover just why Scots are flocking to get botox, fillers and facelifts, and will meet the everyday people fuelling this multimillion-pound industry. - Daft Punk UnchainedE52
Daft Punk UnchainedFilm about the pop culture phenomenon that is Daft Punk, the duo with 12 million albums sold worldwide and seven Grammy awards. Throughout their career Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo have always resisted compromise and the established codes of show business. They have remained determined to maintain control of every link in the chain of their creative process. In the era of globalisation and social networks, they rarely speak in public and neither do they show their faces on TV. This documentary explores this unprecedented cultural revolution, revealing two artists on a permanent quest for creativity, independence and freedom. Between fiction and reality, magic and secret, future and reinvention, theatricality and humility, The Robots have built a unique world. The film combines rare archive footage as well as exclusive interviews with their closest collaborators who talk about their work with Daft Punk, including Pharrell Williams, Giorgio Moroder, Nile Rodgers and Michel Gondry. - The Man Who Witnessed 219 ExecutionsE54
The Man Who Witnessed 219 ExecutionsAs spokesman for America’s busiest execution chamber, Larry Fitzgerald’s job was to witness every execution carried out by the state of Texas. He became notorious for his appearances on television, during which he detailed the final moments of the condemned. Over the course of his career, Larry watched as 219 people were put to death. The Man Who Witnessed 219 Executions follows Larry as he comes to terms with the emotional impact of watching death on an industrial scale. Originally an unapologetic supporter of the death penalty, Larry’s views changed over time. As he watched the executions of men he’d become friends with during their years on death row, Larry started to have doubts about capital punishment – and began to believe that many of those condemned to die deserved a second chance. - Pompeii: New Secrets Revealed with Mary BeardE55
Pompeii: New Secrets Revealed with Mary BeardWith unparalleled access to Pompeii and featuring cutting-edge modern technology, Mary Beard guides us through this amazing slice of the ancient world. For the first time ever, CT scanning and x-ray equipment bring new light to the secrets of the victims of the 79 AD eruption. Mary unpacks the human stories behind the tragic figures - gladiators, slaves, businesswomen and children. She goes behind the scenes of the Great Pompeii Project, where restoration teams have gradually removed the layers of time and deterioration from the frescoes and mosaics of houses closed to the public for decades. And with the help of point-cloud scanning technology, Pompeii is seen and explained like never before. Mary has unprecedented access to hidden storerooms and archaeological labs packed to the hilt with items from daily life: plumbing fittings, pottery, paint pots, foodstuff and fishing nets. As she pieces it all together, Mary presents a film that is a celebratory and unique view of life in this extraordinary town. - Perfect Pianists at the BBCE56
Perfect Pianists at the BBCDavid Owen Norris takes us on a journey through 60 years of BBC archive to showcase some of the greatest names in the history of the piano. From the groundbreaking BBC studio recitals of Benno Moiseiwitsch, Solomon and Myra Hess in the 1950s, through the legendary concerts of Vladimir Horowitz and Arthur Rubinstein to more recent performances including Alfred Brendel, Mitsuko Uchida and Stephen Hough, David celebrates some of the greatest players in a pianistic tradition which goes back to Franz Liszt in the 19th century. Filmed at the Cobbe Collection, Hatchlands Park. - Britain's Secret Slavery BusinessE57
Britain's Secret Slavery BusinessInvestigative journalist Darragh MacIntyre (pictured) exposes the reality of modern-day slavery and exploitation in Britain. From our factories and food producers, our carwashes and nail bars this one-off current affairs documentary lifts the lid on how exploited workers are embedded in parts of our economy. In Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, Darragh hears from one of the Hungarians trafficked to work at Kozee Sleep, a bed factory which supplied to major high street retailers. He reveals how the workers were promised a good job but were paid as little as £10 a week and forced to live in slum-type conditions. The film reveals how people are exploited up and down the country, from the fishing industry in Scotland to the car washes in London. And shockingly, it reveals that this problem not only affects migrants from Europe and other parts of the world - but also people from the UK. Darragh speaks to a vulnerable British man who was abducted off the streets, taken to a South Wales farm and forced to work unpaid for 13 years. The context and scale of modern-day slavery is outlined by Kevin Hyland, the UK’s first Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner. The Police, outreach workers, and psychologists explain how these exploited people are controlled and are often too scared to even think of escaping. The programme comes just as the National Crime Agency reveals that the number of suspected victims identified here has risen by 40 percent in just one year. Officials believe that the increase is down to better enforcement, but others worry it might be because of ever increasing exploitation. - The Return of Flying Scotsman
E58The Return of Flying ScotsmanWe follow the Flying Scotsman, the world's most famous steam engine, as it returns to the tracks following a ten-year restoration which cost more than £4 million. We climb on board and join the celebrations as the 93-year-old engine sets off on its inaugural run from Kings Cross Station in London, pulling a train-load of enthusiasts and supporters 200 miles north on the mainline to York and the engine's home at the National Railway Museum. - Frontline Doctors: Winter Migrant CrisisE59
Frontline Doctors: Winter Migrant CrisisChris and Xand van Tulleken - doctors, part-time aid workers and twin brothers - want to see for themselves what conditions are like for migrants fleeing through Europe at the height of winter. They travel to Lesbos in Greece, through the Balkans and on to Berlin and Calais to understand what's being done on a medical and humanitarian level in response to the refugee crisis. Spending time with medics, charities and volunteers in camps and clinics, at border crossings and transit points, they find out what the situation is like on the ground and, wherever possible, lend a hand in the biggest migration crisis of our times. - Dunblane: Our StoryE60
Dunblane: Our Story'I call it the shooting, because, well... I was shot', Amy Hutchison, survivor. On 13 March 1996, a gunman walked into a primary school in the small Scottish town of Dunblane near Stirling, and shot dead 16 pupils and their teacher in a Primary 1 gym class. To date, it is one of the deadliest firearms atrocities in the UK. In a landmark film to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the tragedy, 'Dunblane: Our Story' interviews many people who have never before talked publicly about what happened on that day. It features, for the first time, testimony from a survivor who was shot as a five-year-old and who details her own terrifying experience that no child should endure. Other interviewees include Ron Taylor, the headmaster of Dunblane Primary School at the time of the shootings, Debbie Mayor, the daughter of Gwen Mayor, the primary teacher who was shot dead, and two young women from separate families who talk about the sisters they never knew and the gap it has left in their lives. Other contributors include parents of the survivors and the deceased. Between them, they construct a powerful exploration of whether time can heal all wounds and love can triumph over evil. - Meet The DevoteesE61
Meet The DevoteesPeople who are sexually aroused by disability are known as devotees. This ground breaking documentary investigates the secret world of disabled fetishes and devotee porn. Wheelchair user Emily Yates meets people who are turned on by amputated limbs, wheelchairs and leg braces; she even makes her own “porn” video to see their reactions. Emily also hears about the dark side and comes to understand just how sinister the world of devoteeism can be from disabled people who’ve fallen victim to online predators. - Virtuoso Violinists at the BBCE62
Virtuoso Violinists at the BBCViolinist Nicola Benedetti explores 60 years of BBC archive to celebrate the world of the violin and its most outstanding performers. From Nathan Milstein, Mischa Elman and Isaac Stern to Yehudi Menuhin, Itzhak Perlman and Nigel Kennedy, Nicola gives us a violinist's perspective on what makes a great performance in a tradition which stretches back to the 19th-century virtuoso Paganini. Filmed at the Royal Academy of Music Museum, London. - Behind Closed DoorsE63
Behind Closed DoorsWith unprecedented access to the Thames Valley Police domestic abuse teams and the victims of violence they are helping, this documentary gives an insight into the most common violent crime to take place in the home. Shot over 12 months, and starting from the moment a 999 call is received, the film follows three brave women who each waive their right to anonymity to show how insidious and terrifying domestic abuse can be. The complex emotions involved when someone you love becomes violent are also exposed, as are the difficulties for police when those feelings mean victims are not completely honest. The film also exposes the lack of consistency in terms of the length of sentence given to offenders. When the police repeatedly take one perpetrator to court only to have magistrates release him again and again, the film demonstrates how the huge ordeal of going to court for these victims of domestic abuse does not mean that, in their eyes, justice will automatically follow. - Boris: The London YearsE64
Boris: The London YearsDocumentary. Eight years as mayor of London have turned Boris Johnson into the bookmakers' favourite to be the next prime minister. Jo Coburn takes a behind-the-scenes look at how he did it and asks if the capital has done as well out of the arrangement as its mayor. - The Queen's 90th Birthday: A Service of Celebration for Commonwealth Day
E65The Queen's 90th Birthday: A Service of Celebration for Commonwealth DayLive from Westminster Abbey in London, Her Majesty the Queen is joined by senior members of the royal family to lead a service of celebration for Commonwealth Day. Presented by Mishal Husain, the service features a live music performance by Ellie Goulding and a contribution from Kofi Annan. - The Estate We're InE67
The Estate We're InFilmed over a year by Fran Robertson, this one-off follows homeowners and council tenants on the West Hendon estate in Barnet as they fight to save their houses and avoid eviction due to impending redevelopment. The estate was built in the 1960s to provide housing for families on low incomes, but now the local council have deemed that the buildings are beyond repair and, in partnership with private developers, the estate is being demolished to make way for a multi-million-pound regeneration which will transform the area into a luxury housing development - leading to uncertainty and stress for the long-term residents. - Trapped in Syria: My Mum's StoryE68
Trapped in Syria: My Mum's StoryA rare and compelling glimpse of life on the frontline in war-torn Syria from a grandmother who is living amongst the ruins of Aleppo. Week In Week Out follows her daughter thousands of miles as she tries to rescue her. Will they get a visa and make it to Wales? - Brendan O'Carroll: My Family at WarE69
Brendan O'Carroll: My Family at WarIn a deeply personal film, writer and comedian Brendan O'Carroll, star of Mrs Brown's Boys, tells the story of the Irish Easter Rising. A hundred years ago, in Easter week 1916, 1,600 Irish rebels took over the centre of Dublin. Despite overwhelming odds, the rebels held out against the forces of the British Empire for six days until they were shelled into submission. Three of those rebels were Brendan's uncles. Now, on the centenary of the revolt, Brendan tells the dramatic story of the Rising and looks into the part his family played in it. He explores how the Rising, though a complete military failure, sent shock waves through the British Empire and signalled the birth of today's Republic of Ireland. - Jo Brand's Hell of a Walk for Sport ReliefE70
Jo Brand's Hell of a Walk for Sport ReliefBack in January, Jo Brand embarked on a seven-day challenge to walk 135 from east to west across the country - and cameras followed her every step of the way. The comedian took on the challenge to inspire all overweight, middle-aged women across the nation - as well as raise money for Sport Relief 2016. Starting out on the Humber Bridge with the aim of reaching Liverpool within seven days, she was tested physically and mentally as she battled extreme cold, gale force winds and torrential rain. But she still found time to share a joke or two with Alan Davies, Lee Mack, Bill Bailey, John Bishop, Gabby Logan and Davina McCall, who joined her on various days. - Miss Transgender: Britain's New Beauty Queens
E71Miss Transgender: Britain's New Beauty QueensAcross Britain transgender women are competing in a pageant with a difference. Over 40 women will battle it out to be crowned the UK’s first Miss Transgender. But they’re not just fighting for first place, they're battling to be accepted as the women they were born to be. Fed up of living in the shadows and determined to take centre stage, we follow three contestants on their extraordinary personal journeys, exploring what it’s really like to be young and transgender in Britain today. - The Battle for ChristianityE74
The Battle for ChristianityProfessor Robert Beckford looks at how immigration, radical social action, conservative morality and charismatic worship are all transforming the face of the faith and asks what that might mean for the future in an increasingly secular society. - Swansea Sparkle: A Transgender StoryE75
Swansea Sparkle: A Transgender StorySwansea Sparkle is the biggest transgender event in Wales - an event that is staged in the traditional heavy-industry city of Swansea. The programme follows three people from the transgender community as they overcome personal challenges in the lead-up to the event and explores themes of gender and identity. With a mix of ages and backgrounds, including the steel industry, they challenge perceptions about trans people, but also about the modern society in which we live. Will the city embrace the occasion? And are Welsh transgender people ready to stand up and be counted? - Chef vs Science: The Ultimate Kitchen Challenge
E76Chef vs Science: The Ultimate Kitchen ChallengeMaterialist scientist Professor Mark Miodownik challenges two-Michelin-star chef Marcus Wareing to the ultimate cookery competition. Over the course of 90 minutes they cook up some of the nation's best-loved dishes, from starter to dessert, in a head-to-head contest to see who can create the most flavoursome food. Marcus has flair, passion, and experience, while Mark an understanding of cooking at the molecular level and access to state-of-the-art technology. Ultimately the question they will try to answer is this: is cooking a science or an art? - Hayley: Call Centre's Tanning AddictE77
Hayley: Call Centre's Tanning AddictHayley Pearce - lovable yet outspoken tea lady from BBC Three's Call Centre - is addicted to spray-tanning. And she's not alone. Nearly half of Welsh women and a third of Welsh men have self-tanned in the last 12 months. What's behind the triumph of the tan, and could there be a dark side to tanning? Hayley examines the rise in extreme tanning - 'tanorexia' - meeting tanning addicts, tanning experts and celebrity spray tanners. She investigates the illegal ways to fake it, visiting a science lab to learn just how toxic these unregulated products can be. And in a bid to understand the nature of her own addiction, Hayley attempts to forgo the glow and embrace the pale. It will be the first time she'll be her natural colour for over ten years, but how long can she last without her beloved spray tan? - Murdered by My FatherE79
Murdered by My FatherEvery parent wants the best for their kids, and Shahzad is no exception. Ever since his wife died he’s been trying to keep his two kids Salma and Hassan on track. Salma is growing up quickly, and Shahzad wants to make sure she’s set up with the right guy to settle down with. It’s a promise he made his wife, and part of what he considers his duty as a dad. But what does Salma want? Unbeknown to Shahzad, she’s caught up in a whirlwind romance with charismatic charmer Imi. Salma knows Imi is not what her dad is expecting, but can she find a way to make everyone happy? A hard-hitting drama with a devastating finale, Murdered by My Father is a story about the power and the limits of love in communities where ‘honour’ means everything. - The Last Days of Legal HighsE82
The Last Days of Legal HighsThis eye-opening film goes behind the scenes at two head shops in Portsmouth – businesses selling powerful legal highs, in bright packets. From cocaine substitutes 'Blow' and 'Rush', to the zombifying effects of 'Spice', these over-the-counter highs have changed the face of the local drug scenes across the country. But now, with a radical new blanket ban due to come into force, it looks like its game over for Britain’s 335 head shops. This film follows the owner Peter as he rushes to clear his stock; the users as they prepare to cope without their legal fix; and the inventor of the drugs, the elusive chemist Dr Zee, as he scrambles to figure out a way around the new law. Will the new law stamp out this trade, or just drive it underground? - Can Seb Coe Save Athletics?E83
Can Seb Coe Save Athletics?BBC Chief Athletics Commentator Steve Cram, himself a former track and field athlete, goes behind-the-scenes at the IAAF to quiz president Sebastian Coe about recent controversies that have plagued the governing body. Since taking over as the the organisation's head in August last year, Cram's one-time rival Coe has witnessed his sport bear the brunt of damaging headlines, from doping scandals to allegations of widespread corruption, and here he identifies what he intends to do to stop the cheats, clean up the sport and win back the trust of the public. - Being the BrontesE84
Being the BrontesMartha Kearney is joined by author Helen Oyeyemi and journalist Lucy Mangan to mark the 200th anniversary of Charlotte Brontë's birth by exploring the life and times of the author and her siblings Emily and Anne. Travelling to the Haworth Parsonage in West Yorkshire, the trio discover how just two years before their most famous novels were published in 1847, the sisters' prospects were bleak. Charlotte was in love with a married man, their clergyman father Patrick was going blind, and their brother, Branwell, was battling alcoholism. However, by 1848, Charlotte, Emily and Anne were literary sensations, and Martha, Helen and Lucy immerse themselves in the personal lives of the sisters to find out how this happened. - Janis Joplin Little Girl BlueE85
Janis Joplin Little Girl BlueThis extraordinary documentary brings to life the paradox of Janis Joplin - both insecure and brazen, with interviews from old band members, unseen audio and video, plus readings from Janis's letters home to her parents. It offers new understanding of a bright, complex woman whose surprising rise and sudden demise changed music forever. Janis Joplin is one of the most revered singers of all time. She thrilled millions of listeners with her powerful, soulful voice and blazed new creative trails before her death in 1971 at the age of 27. The film includes some of her most iconic performances which embodied the musical and cultural revolution of the 1960s. Yet her onstage bravado and uninhibited sexual persona hid hurt and insecurity stemming from her childhood in conservative Texas. On relocating to San Francisco and discovering the blues, Janis found an outlet for her loneliness and fell into a community that would embrace and celebrate her talent. Show less - The Brontes at the BBCE86
The Brontes at the BBCAn exploration of the BBC's long love affair with the lives and works of the Bronte sisters - Charlotte, Emily and Anne. For over half a century, the ill-fated literary dynasty has proved irresistible to drama and documentary makers alike, keen to reinvent their novels for new audiences. So we get Bronte heroines reimagined for each emerging generation, first as classic 1950s housewife material, then wild child '60s 'chicks', Gothic waifs and, finally, empowered modern women. The Bronte males, meanwhile, are restyled as assorted prigs, wife-beaters, even brooding prog rockers and, of course, wouldn't you know it, new men. Wonderful stuff. - Tim Rhys-Evans: All in the MindE87
Tim Rhys-Evans: All in the MindTim Rhys-Evans shares his personal experience of mental illness in this one-off documentary. A few years ago Tim's career was on a high - his choir Only Men Aloud won Last Choir Standing, they signed a major record deal and Tim was awarded an MBE by the Queen. But internally he was struggling to survive - he had a serious mental health crisis and had to rebuild his life. In this moving and heartfelt film, Tim reveals what happened to him with the aim of helping others going through similar experiences. - Eddie Izzard: Marathon Man For Sport ReliefE88
Eddie Izzard: Marathon Man For Sport ReliefEddie Izzard pushes his body and sense of humour to the limit for Sport Relief as he takes on an immense challenge - travelling to South Africa to run 27 marathons in 27 days to mark the 27 years that his hero Nelson Mandela spent in prison. It is a gruelling, uplifting and hilarious journey through baking heat, high roads and hospitals - but can Eddie make it to the final finish line? - 1916: The Irish Rebellion
E901916: The Irish RebellionLiam Neeson narrates an account of the Dublin Easter uprising of 1916 as seen through Irish eyes. Using archival narratives of the participants, together with contributions from academics from the US, Ireland and Britain, the film puts the uprising into the context of hundreds of years of Anglo-Irish history, reveals the rebellion as its participants experienced it, and assesses its tragic cost in lives, both civilian and military, then, and in the decades that followed. - Easter Rising 1916: Eoin MacNéill, The Rebellion's Forgotten Man?
E91Easter Rising 1916: Eoin MacNéill, The Rebellion's Forgotten Man?A champion of the Irish language, he founded the Gaelic League, an organisation which aimed to encourage the use of Irish in everyday life, in 1893. He was a founding member of the Irish Volunteers, a group that played a major role in the Easter Rising, in 1913 and became its chief of staff. But, he has gone down in history as the man who tried to stop the Easter Rising. - Life in Debt ValleyE92
Life in Debt ValleyA warm and heartfelt observational documentary looking at lives lived on a shoestring in the Welsh Valleys. In one of the poorest parts of Britain, people still find ways to get what they want and to live their dreams. 34-year-old Maria is doing everything she can to find a job and keep her head above water as a single mum with a mountain of debt. Sue, a carpenter by trade, struggles to keep the bailiffs at bay while trying to find a way to give her daughters a holiday to remember. And Julie, burdened with a weight problem and a family tragedy, turns to local weight loss guru Linda to help her deal with both. While many Valleys residents are living a hand-to-mouth existence, some businesses are thriving. Linda's slimming class does a roaring trade in this obesity hotspot while pawnbroker David turns a tidy profit off the back of other people's need. - Murdered by My FatherE93
Murdered by My FatherEvery parent wants the best for their kids, and Shahzad is no exception. Ever since his wife died he’s been trying to keep his two kids Salma and Hassan on track. Salma is growing up quickly, and Shahzad wants to make sure she’s set up with the right guy to settle down with. It’s a promise he made his wife, and part of what he considers his duty as a dad. But what does Salma want? Unbeknown to Shahzad, she’s caught up in a whirlwind romance with charismatic charmer Imi. Salma knows Imi is not what her dad is expecting, but can she find a way to make everyone happy? A hard-hitting drama with a devastating finale, Murdered by My Father is a story about the power and the limits of love in communities where ‘honour’ means everything. - Connie Fisher on Make-UpE94
Connie Fisher on Make-UpConnie Fisher won't go out without make-up. For her and many women in Wales, putting on her face is part of her daily routine. The average woman spends two years of her life putting on an estimated £12,000 worth of cosmetics. Connie asks why she and countless other women do it - and who they are doing it for. Is it to find a mate, is it insecurity or is it pressure from society? While Connie investigates women's commitment to make-up, a group of football boys find out how hard it is to put on the perfect mascara. - #welshteens: My Perfect BodyE95
#welshteens: My Perfect BodyWelsh teenagers are among the first generation to be bombarded daily by digital images of 'perfect' bodies and lifestyles on social media. Illnesses like anorexia and body dysmorphia are on the rise, and more Welsh teenagers than ever before need support for mental health problems. Body image has never been more important and more misunderstood. Teenagers have instant access to a global selection of role models, but it's impossible to compete with the 'perfect' bodies and 'glamorous' lives on show. - Sir Peter Maxwell Davies: Master And MaverickE96
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies: Master And MaverickTom Service presents a tribute to the provocative composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, who died in March at the age of 81. Extraordinary performances and documentary from the BBC's television archive that follow Max's journey from his radical origins as an Angry Young Man in the 1950s to his later life and work on his adopted home in the Orkney Islands and his surprise appointment as Master of the Queen's Music in 2004. With performances by the Fires of London, the Sixteen and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. - Easter 1916: The Enemy Files
E97Easter 1916: The Enemy FilesIn 1916, at the height of WW1, armed insurgents rose up against the British in Dublin, the empire's second city. Using secret documents, cabinet papers, intelligence reports, military orders, diaries and letters, Michael Portillo pieces together the story of this uprising from the British point of view. Was Dublin just another battle at a time of war where military justice was immediate and brutal or, by their actions, did the British men who wrote these documents hasten the end of an empire? Did an unlikely band of Irish rebels, led by playwrights and poets, do more to advance the cause of Irish freedom in five days than nationalist politicians had done in the previous 50 years, or did they damage the cause and condemn the island to a history of violence? Michael looks for the answers. This is the story of Ireland's Easter Rising as told by British politicians, soldiers, spies and bureaucrats. - The Vikings Uncovered
E98The Vikings UncoveredDan Snow uncovers the lost Vikings in America with space archaeologist Dr Sarah Parcak. Sarah uses satellites 383 miles above the earth to spot ruins as small as 30cm buried beneath the surface. As Sarah searches for Viking sites from Britain to America, Dan explores how they voyaged thousands of miles when most ships never left the shoreline. He also tracks their expansion west, first as raiders and then as settlers and traders throughout Britain and beyond to Iceland and Greenland. In North America they excavate what could be the most westerly Viking settlement ever discovered. - Bob Geldof on WB Yeats: A Fanatic Heart
E99Bob Geldof on WB Yeats: A Fanatic HeartMusician and advocate Bob Geldof examines the life and work of one of the 20th century's greatest poets, William Butler Yeats. Geldof argues that as a poet and statesman, at the vanguard of a cultural revolution, Yeats brought about immense change in Ireland's struggle for independence, without firing a bullet. Written by Geldof and Roy Foster, this incisive and moving documentary features readings by Bill Nighy, Van Morrison, Richard E Grant, Colin Farrell, Bono, Edna O'Brien, Ardal O'Hanlon, Noel Gallagher and Liam Neeson. - Workers or Shirkers? Ian Hislop's Victorian Benefits
E100Workers or Shirkers? Ian Hislop's Victorian BenefitsAn entertaining, provocative film in which Ian explores the colourful history behind one of the most explosive issues of our times - welfare: who deserves to be helped, and who doesn't. With his customary mix of light touch and intelligence, Ian tells the stories of five individuals whose Victorian attitudes remain incredibly resonant, inspiring some revealing interviews. Iain Duncan Smith is visibly moved when describing the lack of aspiration he has encountered as minister in charge of benefits, Deirdre Kelly, also known as 'White Dee' from Benefits Street, gets on famously with Ian, teasing him for being middle class, and Owen Jones and Tristram Hunt MP provide illuminating food for thought on the questions that still haunt us. Pioneer of the workhouse Edwin Chadwick feared that hand-outs would lead to scrounging and sought to make sure that workers were always better off than the unemployed. That sounds fair - but was his solution simply too unkind? James Greenwood, Britain's first undercover reporter, made poverty a cause celebre through sensational journalism - but is the media voyeuristic when it comes to reporting on those on benefits? Helen Bosanquet, an early social worker, believed that poverty was caused by 'bad character'. Are some people genuinely more deserving than others? Bosanquet came to blows with Beatrice Webb, whose economic explanations for the causes of poverty led her to argue for the first foundations of a welfare state. Finally, even if we want to be generous, are there limits on how much we can afford to help? That question faced Margaret Bondfield, Britain's first female cabinet minister, who, despite her own working-class trade unionist credentials, controversially ended up advocating cuts at a time of national austerity. - Chasing Dad: A Lifelong AddictionE102
Chasing Dad: A Lifelong AddictionThis original and compelling documentary depicts one father’s long-term struggle with heroin addiction, told through the uniquely intimate perspective of his own son. After years of acrimony and estrangement, young film-maker Phillip Wood seeks out his father to try and understand what’s happened to him. But his father is now seriously ill and over the next few months Phillip’s visits force both to confront some uncomfortable truths about their past. Developed from Philip’s graduation film – Chasing Dad offers a strikingly stark exploration into a subject that significantly affected his childhood. This intimate, revealing documentary will show addiction from a different side and challenge our assumptions about how families can rebuild their broken relationships. - Abused: The Untold Story
E103Abused: The Untold StoryLandmark documentary telling the story of those who stood up and broke their silence about sexual abuse, changing Britain forever. This is the definitive account of a national scandal, assembling an unprecedented range of voices, from the survivors and their friends and family to the professionals who led reform of some of the country's biggest institutions. Through candid and revealing testimony, the film not only explores the devastating long-term effects of abuse, it celebrates the extraordinary resilience and spirit of ordinary British people. In 2012 Britain was shaken by horrific revelations of sexual abuse by Jimmy Savile, abuse that had gone unchecked for decades. Thousands of people came forward to talk about their own experiences - many for the first time - and the shocking scale of abuse was revealed. It reached far beyond Savile and into the very heart of British society. Some of those victims speak publicly for the first time about the consequence of abuse in their relationships and in their families. Alongside those survivors, this film brings together for the first time the professionals at the very heart of the story: the journalists who met the first victims of Savile to speak publicly, the police commander of Operation Yewtree who would uncover the shocking scale of his crimes, the former director of public prosecution who was forced to accept mistakes made by the CPS and overhaul the way it dealt with abuse cases, and the charities who were overwhelmed by the sheer number of people coming forward. These multiple perspectives build into a gripping account of how secrets and silence took hold of British society but in the end couldn't stand in the way of people's need to tell the truth. - Hack Me! The Girl With Magnetic Fingers
E104Hack Me! The Girl With Magnetic FingersLepht is a 'transhumanist', someone who wants to improve the quality of human life through technology. Over the last eight years she has performed 50 surgical procedures to implant microchips into her body, including inserting magnets into her fingertips. We follow Lepht on her latest quest: upgrading a microchip in her hand so she can make contactless payments. Is Lepht's so-called 'biohacking' paving the way for future human integrated technology, or is it simply futile self-harm? - Britain's Biggest Superyachts: Chasing Perfection
E106Britain's Biggest Superyachts: Chasing PerfectionWelcome to Sunseeker, Britain's biggest superyacht builder who has been hand-building customised boats for the world's super rich for the past 50 years. For the first time ever, they have allowed the BBC behind the scenes of their extraordinary production line in Poole and into the rarefied world of the multi-millionaire's favourite plaything. The company built their reputation on making small to mid-size yachts, but the recession saw this market flounder as even the super-rich tightened their belts, seeing Sunseeker sink into the red. So in a high stakes move, they're sinking millions into building a larger opulent superyacht to reel in the uber-rich who still have cash to splash on life's ultimate luxuries to help sail them back into profit. The film follows the build of a new £20m, forty-metre superyacht and their most challenging specification to date when a customer takes full advantage of their made to measure service and asks for more extras than any other yacht in the history of the company. When it falls behind schedule we discover it's not all plain sailing when you're in the business of engineering luxury for the super-rich. Whilst the Poole shipyard works hard to meet the customer's exacting standards, the London sales team are working just as hard to fill the order book during the all-important Boat Show season where they hope to sell over £40m worth of boats in just thirty days. Every boat is built in Poole but is found basking in the international playgrounds of the rich and famous and, filming across the summer season, we also hop on board the charter side of the business to meet the people paying £60,000 for just a week's holiday. - Tom Jones' 1950s, The Decade That Made Me
E110Tom Jones' 1950s, The Decade That Made MeUnlike the 60s, says Tom Jones as he recalls his teenage years in Pontypridd, South Wales, people who lived through the 50s can usually remember them. Many of those interviewed in this enjoyably nostalgic documentary – including the Shadows’ rhythm guitarist Bruce Welch, broadcaster Joan Bakewell and journalist Michele Hanson – agree the early postwar years were grey, boring and flat. But what they experienced during this decade, whether it was American films, music, TV shows such as The Six Five Special, teddy-boy fashion or just being a teenager, excited and shaped them all. “I was 15 when rock ’n’ roll kicked in – perfect!” says Jones. It’s a glorious reminder of the cultural changes of the 50s. About this programme Former The Voice UK coach Tom Jones fronts the first of four retrospective documentaries in which celebrated musicians look back at the decades that defined them. For Tom, that decade is the 1950s, the era following the austerity of the Second World War that saw a boom in popular culture, which swept aside the old order and ushered in a new era of entertainment. The veteran singer provides a first-hand guide to his formative years in a small mining community in South Wales, revealing how he - much like many people of his generation - turned to TV, movies, radio and music to find a voice for himself. Revisiting Treforest and Pontypridd, where he spent his childhood and teenage years, Tom recalls his joy when rationing finally ended, his encounter with American GIs stationed near his home, and the arrival of rock `n' roll and the `Teddy Boys'. Includes contributions by writers Joan Bakewell, Katherine Whitehorn and Michele Hanson, and historians Alwyn Turner, Dr Martin Johnes, Tony Russell and Francis Beckett. - A Tale Of Five Temples: The Story Of Hinduism In Britain
E111A Tale Of Five Temples: The Story Of Hinduism In BritainDocumentary exploring the history of five Hindu temples across Britain, tracing their stories and the spread of Hinduism in the UK. Featuring the elaborate rituals and the moving stories of Hindu worshippers, the film gives an insight into the sheer variety of Hindu beliefs across Britain. A story of protest and love, beauty and hope. - Stacey Dooley in Greece: Migrant Kids in CrisisE112
Stacey Dooley in Greece: Migrant Kids in CrisisStacey Dooley travels to Greece to follow children on the migrant trail, as they flee wars and seek new lives in Western Europe. From small toddlers travelling with families to unaccompanied teenagers journeying thousands of miles alone, Stacey witnesses their experiences first hand. During her trip, Greece closes its borders to migrants and Stacey sees the striking impact of this on the young and vulnerable. - The Queen's 90th Birthday LiveE113
The Queen's 90th Birthday LiveKirsty Young presents live coverage of Her Majesty the Queen's 90th birthday celebrations from Royal Windsor. Together with His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen embarks on a walkabout through the town to greet well-wishers, as she becomes the first reigning British monarch to celebrate this milestone. Kirsty is joined by a host of well-known faces to celebrate this very special day. - Elizabeth at 90 - A Family Tribute
E114Elizabeth at 90 - A Family TributeA unique celebration of the Queen's ninety years as she reaches her landmark birthday in April. Film-maker John Bridcut has been granted special access to the complete collection of Her Majesty's personal cine films, shot by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen herself, as well as by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. Much of it has never been seen publicly before. Various members of the Royal Family are filmed watching this private footage and contributing their own personal insights and their memories of the woman they know both as a member of their own close family and as queen. Among those taking part are the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Harry, the Princess Royal, the Duke of Kent and his sister Princess Alexandra, who has never before given an interview. - The Everly Brothers: Harmonies from Heaven
E115The Everly Brothers: Harmonies from HeavenDocumentary which celebrates, over the period covering the end of the 1950s and the beginning of the 60s, the phenomenon of the Everly Brothers, arguably the greatest harmony duo the world has witnessed, who directly influenced the greatest and most successful bands of the 60s and 70s - the Beatles, the Stones, the Beach Boys and Simon & Garfunkel to name but a few. Don and Phil Everly's love of music began as children, encouraged by their father Ike. Little Donnie and Baby Boy Phil sang on Ike's early-morning radio shows in Iowa. After leaving school, the brothers moved to Nashville where, under the wing of Ike Everly's friend, the highly talented musician Chet Atkins, Don and Phil signed with Cadence Records. They exploded onto the music scene in 1957 with Bye Bye Love, written by Boudleaux and Felice Bryant. After Bye Bye Love came other hits, notably Wake Up Little Susie, followed by the worldwide smash hit All I Have to Do Is Dream and a long string of other great songs which also became hits. By 1960, however, the brothers were lured away from Cadence to Warner Bros with a $1,000,000 contract. Their biggest hit followed, the self-penned Cathy's Clown, which sold 8 million copies. Remaining at Warner Bros for most of the 60s, they had further success with Walk Right Back, So Sad and the King/Greenfield-penned track Crying in the Rain. - Billy Fury: The Sound of FuryE117
Billy Fury: The Sound of FuryDocumentary which recounts the story of Billy Fury and the birth of British popular music. His first album, The Sound of Fury (released in 1960), has become a landmark record in British rock 'n' roll history. Born in Liverpool during the Second World War, Ronnie Wycherley became an overnight sensation in 1958 when he was asked to go on stage and sing a couple of his self-penned songs by showbiz impresario Larry Parnes. Ronnie's knees shook with nerves, but over 2,000 screaming girls welcomed the new star of British rock 'n' roll and the headline in the local newspaper the following day was 'Dingle boy with a hot guitar'. With more Top 40 hits than the Beatles during the 1960s, Billy Fury's major hits included Halfway to Paradise, Wondrous Place, Jealousy, Last Night Was Made For Love and many more. Aged just 42, Billy died of heart failure after a recording session. But his fans have never forgotten him, and every year on the anniversary of his death they gather to pay their tributes at Mill Hill cemetery. Lord Puttnam sums up Fury's contribution to modern music in the programme by saying that, 'without Billy Fury, I honestly don't think the Beatles would have happened'. - Shakespeare Live From The RSCE118
Shakespeare Live From The RSCFrom the stage of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, hosts David Tennant and Catherine Tate are joined by Benedict Cumberbatch, Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Helen Mirren, Meera Syal, David Suchet, Rufus Wainwright, Tim Minchin, Gregory Porter, Joseph Fiennes, English National Opera, The Royal Ballet and Akala for a very special evening. Together, they mark the life and work of William Shakespeare on the 400th anniversary of the playwright's death. This unique event takes place in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, and celebrates Shakespeare's extraordinary legacy and his enduring influence on all performance art forms - from opera to jazz, dance to musicals. - Yehudi Menuhin: Who's Yehudi?E119
Yehudi Menuhin: Who's Yehudi?Clemency Burton-Hill presents a profile of the violinist to celebrate his 100th birthday. She recalls her own experiences of being trained by him and retraces the key events and musical influences of his life, from his unusual childhood as a musical prodigy in California to his travels in Europe and Asia and drive to bring classical music to a mass audience. Featuring home movie footage and interviews with family, friends and fellow musicians, including a member of the Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz who recalls seeing him play alongside Benjamin Britten. - Never Again: Fear And Faith In ParisE120
Never Again: Fear And Faith In ParisThe end of April marks the Jewish Passover festival, when Jews remember the Israelites escaping slavery in ancient Egypt. This documentary explores a much more recent phenomenon, the decision of 8,000 Jews to leave France in 2014, concerned about terror attacks and rising anti-Semitism in the country. We hear from the families most affected and explore the reasons behind the rise in anti-Semitism. With insight from those who live in the notorious Paris suburbs, often accused of being a breeding ground for anti-Semitism, and from Lassana Bathily, a Muslim from the suburbs who saved Jewish lives during the kosher supermarket attack in 2015. Many French Jews are coming to London, and one synagogue has been transformed recently by French arrivals, with their congregation in a few years becoming 90 per cent French. Is the climate for Jews any better in Britain? - The MoonE121
The Moon1972 was the year a great affair ended, as the human race fell out of love with the moon. Just three years after the world was gripped by Neil Armstrong's giant leap for mankind, the last man left the moon and we have never been back. This film tells the epic story of our love affair with the moon - what inspired it, how it faded away and how we are now falling in love all over again. - Attenborough at 90 - Life Behind the Lens
E122Attenborough at 90 - Life Behind the LensAs Sir David Attenborough turns 90, this intimate film presents new interviews, eye-opening behind-the-scenes footage and extraordinary clips from some of his most recent films. The doc, which was made for the occasion of Attenborough’s 90th birthday, was shot over seven years and follows him as he travels to Borneo, Morocco and the Galapagos to shoot wildlife specials. Geffen, the CEO of Atlantic Productions, commented, “This is such a special Attenborough film because unusually he is the subject. As I look back over the last seven years, I never fail to be amazed by his extraordinary ambition and drive to use the very latest technology to communicate the natural world to audiences around the globe. This film gives audiences the chance to see what it’s like to be on the road with David.” - Forest, Field & Sky: Art out of NatureE124
Forest, Field & Sky: Art out of NatureDr James Fox takes a journey through six different landscapes across Britain, meeting artists whose work explores our relationship to the natural world. From Andy Goldsworthy's beautiful stone sculptures to James Turrell's extraordinary sky spaces, this is a film about art made out of nature itself. Featuring spectacular images of landscape and art, James travels from the furthest reaches of the Scottish coast and the farmlands of Cumbria to woods of north Wales. In each location he marvels at how artists' interactions with the landscape have created a very different kind of modern art - and make us look again at the world around us. - The Rise of KhanE125
The Rise of KhanOn the 7th May 2016, Amir Khan will fight for the WBC Middleweight World title in Las Vegas. In between him and another world crown is one of the most exciting stars of the fight game, Saúl 'Canelo' Álvarez. Khan is very much the underdog but he’s a man who believes in himself. He believes he can overcome the odds and win. - May Blitz: Seven Days That Rocked Liverpool
E126May Blitz: Seven Days That Rocked LiverpoolFor seven days in 1941, Hitler's Luftwaffe relentlessly bombed the strategically vital port of Liverpool. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the May Blitz, actor Les Dennis - who was born in the city - discovers amazing stories of survival and loss during the attack. - When Pop Went Epic: The Crazy World of the Concept AlbumE127
When Pop Went Epic: The Crazy World of the Concept AlbumIt's possibly one of the most denigrated inventions in the history of music; the greatest signifier of rock star pomposity. Indeed, in some quarters, the very mention of it is likely to provoke sniggering derision, conjuring up images of quadruple-gatefold album sleeves, songs that go on for weeks and straggly-haired rockers prattling on about mystical lands, unicorns, goblins and dystopian futures. But - back when people actually took the time to sit down and listen to records from beginning to end - for many, nothing delivered a more rewarding experience than the concept album. And for some, it's still a format that provides rock music with its high watermark moments. This documentary explores the history of a musical format - usually based around a structured narrative, though sometimes tied together by a loose theme - that developed to become the equivalent of rock 'n' roll theatre, often on an operatic scale. The legendary cape-wearing keyboardmeister Rick Wakeman - himself the creator of several of history's most, ahem, 'elaborate' long players - presents this insightful and playful exploration of the greatest examples of the art form. From social commentary to collected songs of loneliness, heartache and introspection, from tales of intergalactic rock stars to anthems of isolated youth, the film takes us on a journey - examining the roots of the concept album in its various forms, unpacking some of the most ambitious - and ridiculous - projects of the past fifty years, from Woody Guthrie's Dustbowl Ballads to Tales from Topographic Oceans by Yes; the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds to George Clinton's Mothership Connection; The Wall by Pink Floyd to The Flaming Lips' Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. Some of the mavericks who made the maddest and most memorable big ideas happen are here to provide their own perspectives, including Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull); Laura Marling; George Clinton; Wayne Coyne (Flaming Lips); J Willgoose Esq (Public Service Broadcasting - Attenborough at 90
E128Attenborough at 90In celebration of his ninetieth birthday, Sir David Attenborough shares extraordinary highlights of his life and career with broadcaster Kirsty Young, including the inspiring people he has met, the extraordinary journeys he has made and the remarkable animal encounters he has had across the globe. Joined by colleagues and friends, including Michael Palin and Chris Packham, Sir David shares some of the unforgettable moments from his unparalleled career, from capturing unique animal behaviour for the first time to the fast-paced advances in wildlife filming technology, as well as stories of the wonder and fragility of the natural world - stories that Sir David has spent his life exploring and championing. - Hillsborough
E129HillsboroughDocumentary exploring Britain's worst stadium disaster, in which 96 people were killed and hundreds more injured. The tragic events of April 15, 1989, are recounted in depth, with personal testimony from survivors, family members and police officers, many of whom are speaking publicly for the first time. The programme also explores the aftermath of the tragedy, looking at the 27-year campaign for justice fought on behalf of those who died. - Attenborough's Life That Glows
E130Attenborough's Life That GlowsLuminous beings, creatures with their own internal light, enchant and astonish us. Anyone who has seen a firefly or a glow-worm cannot help but fall under their spell. The sea at night sparkles as millions of luminous plankton reveal the shapes of dolphins in a truly magical light show. But why do animals produce living light? For centuries we could only marvel at the beauty and the mystery, but now for the first time we can begin to reveal the amazing truth about living lights. It has taken three crucial technological breakthroughs. Firstly, colour cameras have improved dramatically; they are now over 4,000 times more sensitive than a decade ago. The cameras are so sensitive they are revealing startling discoveries that until now we could not see. Secondly, scientists have entered the unknown world of the boundless deep open ocean with the help of a new generation of submersibles and robots. Thirdly, Ammonite Films have invented and built a series of unique cameras that can capture the faintest ephemeral glow of luminous life. By combining these three innovations, this film shows creatures and behaviours never seen before. Sir David Attenborough is our guide as we venture into a new hitherto unseen world. Bioluminescence is everywhere: in the soil, on the land and throughout the oceans. Join Sir David Attenborough and a team of the world's leading scientists and deep sea explorers on a quest to reveal the secrets of living lights. - Cunk on Shakespeare
E132Cunk on ShakespeareComedy from Charlie Brooker starring Philomena Cunk, the witless commentator from Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe. Philomena knows absolutely nothing about Shakespeare, but that won't stop her attempting to present a groundbreaking documentary about him. Fresh from her triumphs on Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe investigating time ('It'll always be an unknowable mystery, like how phones work' Winston Churchill ('Imagine how good his tweets would have been', and Donald Trump ('There's this amazing stuff on his head; it's not hair, it's like a sort of furry gas', Philomena Cunk has finally been given her own show - about William Shakespeare. Cunk will leave no stone unturned as she gets to the bottom of the Bard, visiting his birthplace, exploring the Globe, studying priceless artefacts and interviewing literally six different experts, including renowned actor Simon Russell Beale, Educating Yorkshire teacher Matthew Burton and top Shakespearean scholar Professor Stanley Wells. Shorter than Hamlet, funnier than King Lear and easier to spell than Cymbeline, Cunk On Shakespeare is absolutely the last word in Shakespeare documentaries. - The SunE133
The SunA revealing portrait of our closest star - the sun. Responsible for all life on Earth, the sun has always been worshipped. In the Stone Age, monuments were built to its constancy and predictability. New ways of observing the sun are revealing another side to it - a dark and violent side of turbulent storms and huge explosions. As scientists learn to understand the forces that drive it, they are also trying to control its power. If we could harness the sun's power output for a single second it would supply the world's demands for the next million years. Narrated by Andrew Lincoln - Jack To A King - The Swansea StoryE134
Jack To A King - The Swansea StoryJack to a King is the incredible true story of Swansea City AFC's momentous journey from the lower rungs of league football to the mighty heights of the Premier League, the most watched league in the world. Acclaimed director Marc Evans presents this remarkable documentary film that recounts the unbelievable tale of how a 'rag tag' band of builders, housewives, teachers and travel agents came together to save their beloved football club and ended up turning their city into a worldwide brand. Through archive footage and intimate interviews, this is Swansea City AFC's incredible journey from the sale of the club for just £1 to their £90 million promotion to the Premier League - a heartwarming and captivating must-watch whether you're a fan of the beautiful game or not. This is a film about belief, about obsession, about loyalty, about people power, and about love. - Rest in Pixels
E137Rest in PixelsThere are now over 30 million dead people on Facebook, so what happens when we leave that digital representation of ourselves behind? This film delves into the explosion of ways in which to store, advance, digitise and personalise our very own digital legacies. From avatars and holograms, to androids and algorithms that can tweet on our behalf from beyond the grave. We are now no longer resting in peace, we are resting in pixels. - Black Power: America's Armed Resistance
E139Black Power: America's Armed ResistanceFilmmaker Dan Murdoch spent last summer documenting clashes between a resurgent Ku Klux Klan, and a growing Black Power movement. Now in a follow up to ‘KKK: The Fight for White Supremacy’ he returns to America to revisit some of the people he met from the KKK and also meet members of the Black Liberation Movement: to find out what black power means, what their motivations are and why their movement seems to be gaining traction. With rare access to members of the Black Liberation Movement, Murdoch quickly finds himself in the midst of an armed black militia, outraged at the treatment of black people at the hands of police, patrolling the streets of their communities and calling for change. - Bodyhack: Metal Gear Man
E140Bodyhack: Metal Gear ManThis powerful two part short-form documentary follows 25 year-old James Young as he tries to regain control of his body after a terrible accident - by becoming part Cyborg. Part 1 [14:28] Following his accident, the first short film sees James, an avid gamer, respond to an advert by gaming company Konami, who are looking for an amputee who is interested in wearing a futuristic prosthetic limb. Part 2 [16:28] After months of waiting, James receives his new arm and interest in the project with the media starts to grow; he is invited to be a key speaker in the first ever ‘Bodyhacking’ conference in Austin Texas. - David Attenborough's Zoo Quest in Colour
E141David Attenborough's Zoo Quest in ColourThanks to a recent remarkable discovery in the BBC's film vaults, the best of David Attenborough's early Zoo Quest adventures can now be seen as never before, in colour, and with it the remarkable story of how this pioneering television series was made. First broadcast in December 1954, Zoo Quest was one of the most popular television series of its time and launched the career of the young David Attenborough as a wildlife presenter. It completely changed how viewers saw the world, revealing wildlife and tribal communities that had never been filmed or even seen before. Broadcast ten years before colour television was seen in the UK, Zoo Quest was thought to have been filmed in black and white, until now. Using this extraordinary new-found colour film, together with new behind-the-scenes stories from David Attenborough and cameraman Charles Lagus, this special showcases the very best of Zoo Quest to West Africa, Zoo Quest to Guiana and Zoo Quest for a Dragon in stunning HD colour for the very first time. - Scotland's First Oil Rush
E142Scotland's First Oil RushScotland witnessed the world's first true "oil rush", when inventor James "Paraffin" Young first refined lighting fuel from a shale rock known as "torbanite" in 1851. There followed more than a century of the shale oil industry, which employed thousands and whose fortunes ebbed and flowed with industrialisation and two world wars. Presented by geologist Professor Iain Stewart, this film tells the story of shale, its lasting impact on one Scottish community - West Lothian - and the massive and unique landmarks still visible today. - Paxman in Brussels: Who Really Rules Us?E143
Paxman in Brussels: Who Really Rules Us?As the EU referendum debate approaches its climax, Jeremy Paxman takes viewers on a journey to the heart of Europe, meeting the movers, shakers and anonymous faces who run the EU. His central question is simple - has the UK given the power to rule it to Europe, and if so, does it matter? Meeting crucial figures like Michael Gove and Nick Clegg, he hears arguments on both sides, whilst also trying to understand just how the incredibly complex organisation operates. On his journey he struggles through the Parlamentarium (an EU museum that tries to explain the place), tries on a replica of Margaret Thatcher's famous EU jumper and samples the EU-regulated wares of the Portobello Road. - EMI: The Inside Story
E144EMI: The Inside Story One record company has been a constant presence in popular music throughout our lives. EMI brought the Beatles to the world and in every decade since has been instrumental in producing some of Britain's most celebrated and enduring music. But behind the success lay a very British institution often at odds with the music it released. It had to come to terms with psychedelia, face punk head on and find huge sums of money to feed the excesses of the 1980s. Interviews with EMI artists including members of Queen, Pink Floyd, the Sex Pistols and Pet Shop Boys reveal how their demands for more and more control ultimately led to drastic changes at EMI. Former EMI employees share the gossip and goings-on in an industry infamous for its extravagance. The British music industry is world renowned. It has produced decades of memorable music that has reached all corners of the globe. EMI has always been at the forefront and has left an indelible mark on our culture forever. - The Queen Mary: Greatest Ocean Liner
E145The Queen Mary: Greatest Ocean LinerWith exclusive access to the magnificent liner and its extensive archive of film and photographs, the documentary explores the action-packed life of the Clyde-built ship: an epic journey through some of the most dynamic periods of the 20th century. Built with the blood and sweat of the master craftsmen of the Clydebank shipyards, she helped drag a nation from the depths of the great depression and set sail as a symbol of new hope and a better future. Leaving Southampton on the 27th of May 1936 her maiden voyage to New York set a new benchmark in transatlantic travel. Designed in peacetime to link the old world with the new, she ferried movie stars, politicians and royalty across the Atlantic, luxuriously cocooned in an art-deco floating palace. Then, in 1939, she was transformed to challenge the fury of the Nazis in the battle of the Atlantic. With a wartime record to rival that of the highest-ranking general, she carried whole armies through enemy-infested seas. Hitler offered a bonus of $250,000 and the Iron Cross to any U-boat captain who could sink the Queen Mary. When the war was over, the Queen Mary gave passage to thousands of British war brides and children who planned a new life in the New World. The Queen Mary was a great attraction to the rich and famous celebrities of the 50s and 60s. From an exclusive interview with singer Johnny Mathis, viewers will hear about what it was like to perform on the rough seas of the Atlantic. The liner continued in service until 1967 and is now a floating luxury hotel and museum docked in a custom-made lagoon in Long Beach, California. - United States of Hate: Muslims Under Attack
E146United States of Hate: Muslims Under AttackBBC Three examines America’s recent upsurge in Islamophobia; meeting both Texan anti-Islam groups and American Muslims as tensions rise at some of America’s mosques. Award-winning director and producer Steph Atkinson asks how did America get here, and if the fears between these different groups are justified. - World Cup 1966 - Alfie's Boys
E147World Cup 1966 - Alfie's BoysSir David Jason presents Alfie's Boys, the story of how Sir Alf Ramsey built a team to win the World Cup in 1966. Sir David takes us back to the changing times of the sixties and sets the context for the one and only time England have been at the top of world football. He charts how and why Sir Alf picked the characters he wanted and his relationship with them as they bonded into a world-class side. Featuring unseen archive from the BBC vaults and anecdotes from Sir Bobby Charlton, Jack Charlton, Jimmy Greaves, George Cohen, Tina Moore, Harry Rednapp, Terry Venables, Sir Geoff Hurst, Gordon Banks and many other squad members, this is a definitive record of their great journey as a team. - Jimmy Hill: A Man for All Seasons
E149Jimmy Hill: A Man for All SeasonsA tribute to Jimmy Hill, who passed away in December 2015 having made a remarkable impact on football and football culture. His career was unique, taking in virtually every role in the sport, from the pitch to the dugout, the boardroom to the television studio. After retiring from playing, Hill became manager of Coventry City where he pioneered new ways of developing the club's image and its relationship with fans. He was similarly forward-thinking when he moved into influential roles in broadcasting and went on to become an iconic and long-running presenter of Match of the Day. But perhaps Hill's greatest legacy was his successful campaign to abolish the maximum wage, revolutionising the careers and prospects of footballers in the early 1960s and paving the way for the multimillionaire global stars of today. The programme features contributions from former footballers, managers, broadcasters and Hill's family - The World's Biggest Flower Market
E150The World's Biggest Flower MarketCherry Healey and Simon Lycett tell the story of how the flowers we buy travel across the world via Aalsmeer Flower Auction in Holland to reach us every day in pristine condition. We reach for flowers to express our most fundamental human emotions - from passionate love to abject apology, joyful celebration of our mums or profound grief of a loved one. We relish our flowers so much, that this year we are predicated to spend £2.2 billion on treating ourselves and others to the prefect bouquet. World's Largest Flower Market, presented by Cherry Healey and Simon Lycett, florist to the Royal Palaces, tells the miraculous story of how the flowers we buy in our florists and supermarkets travel across the globe to reach us every day in pristine condition. We follow three of Britain's favourite flowers, the rose, the tulip and the lily during the busiest time of year, Mother's Day, via Aalsmeer Flower Auction in Holland and its nearby sister markets, which together make up the biggest flower market on earth. Affectionately dubbed 'The Wall Street of Flowers', almost 30 million flowers and plants arrive every day to be bought and sold in its high paced auctions with over £3 million changing hands daily. And away from the market, Simon and Cherry continue to explore the cut flower industry. Simon visits Kenya to find out where his beloved rose starts life. And Cherry meets a conscientious tulip breeder who has dedicated a staggering 25 years of his life to breeding stunning new varieties of tulips. It's an extraordinary story of incredible logistics - one in which science, technology and human ingenuity combine to meet the demands of a multibillion-pound industry built around something as romantic and ephemeral as a flower. - The Secret of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony
E151The Secret of Beethoven's Fifth SymphonyOften cited as one of the greatest pieces of music ever written, the opening notes of the fifth symphony are among the most recognisable in the history of music, but the inspiration behind it is less clear. Many believe that Beethoven was railing against fate and his deafness in this piece, which was composed in Vienna between 1804 and 1808. In this documentary Gardiner argues that the music features a little-known, radical message expressing Beethoven’s belief in the ideals of the French Revolution, and shows how his Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique convey that message in their performance of the Fifth Symphony. To investigate Gardiner’s theory, Hislop visits the German city of Bonn, where Beethoven was born, raised and exposed to radical ideas, and Paris, where a new wave of composers were creating original compositions in a musical revolution that mirrored the political movement of the era. He also goes to Vienna, where the composer lived from 1792, visiting the apartment where he wrote the bulk of his Fifth Symphony and the Theater an der Wien, where the premiere of the work took place in 1808. This is part of the BBC’s Revolution & Romance - Soundtrack To The 19th Century season this May and June, exploring the surge of musical creativity and the key players to emerge during this seminal era of music, revealing the real inspiration behind Beethoven’s most famous work, and with complementary programming on BBC Radio 3 in Essential Classics. - Battle of Jutland: The Navy's Bloodiest Day
E152Battle of Jutland: The Navy's Bloodiest DayDan Snow, Shini Somara and Nick Hewitt investigate the events and the legacy of the largest naval battle of the First World War, the Battle of Jutland. Its 100th anniversary is commemorated in 2016. Both Britain and Germany claimed victory - but both sides suffered huge losses and the significance of the battle to the outcome of the war has been questioned ever since. Fresh evidence sheds new light not only on why so many died, but also on the importance of Jutland to the eventual triumph of the Allies.. - Belfast's Forgotten Hero: HMS Caroline
E153Belfast's Forgotten Hero: HMS CarolineBelfast's Forgotten Hero: HMS Caroline is the story of the last remaining ship from the Battle of Jutland, the largest sea battle in the First World War. One hundred years later, we follow Caroline's journey - from ageing relic to restored museum - as Belfast unveils its newest tourist attraction. - The Truth About Alcohol
E154The Truth About Alcohol A&E doctor Javid Abdelmoneim is on a mission to find out the truth about alcohol. In January, the government released its new alcohol guidelines. For men, the recommended weekly limit was cut by a third to 14 units per week, equivalent to about seven pints of beer, bringing it in line with the amount recommended for women. So what is behind the change? This is just one question of many that Javid aims to answer as he explores the science of drinking and the new evidence for the health risks of alcohol. Why do some people get drunk quicker than others? What is behind red wine's healthy reputation? Is a nightcap actually good for your sleep? Does lining your stomach work? And can alcohol actually make you eat more? - Going Going Gone: Nick Broomfield's Disappearing Britain
E156Going Going Gone: Nick Broomfield's Disappearing BritainTwo iconic British buildings are threatened with demolition and the intrepid Nick Broomfield is on the case. In a pair of documentaries, Broomfield profiles the Wellington Rooms in Liverpool and the Coal Exchange in Cardiff. The Wellington Rooms, built in 1815 by Edmund Aikin, was originally the social hub for the super-rich, slave traders, businessmen and the elite. The Prime Minister William Gladstone's family, themselves wealthy slave owners, invested heavily in this magnificent building with the most intricate detailing and proportions. A Wedgwood ceiling and sprung dance floor, with classical columns, create a building of love and light. Despite the depression in Liverpool's fortunes, it's a building that has brought enormous happiness to many different people over a couple of centuries. Countless people seem to have fallen in love and met their future partners in the assembly room. Now in a rundown state of faded glory, the question is - what to do with the Wellington Rooms? The Coal Exchange in Cardiff, built in 1883 by Edward Seward, is a magnificent celebration of the industry of coal and its immense wealth. A glass-ceilinged exchange room with galleries on three floors and a unique lowered floor are a remarkable monument to this time. Now in serious neglect, the whole building, the size of a city block, faces demolition. It signifies the serious lack of resourcefulness on the part of Cardiff Council to celebrate and regenerate not only this building but the whole area. The once great Butetown Docks and the magnificent buildings surrounding the Coal Exchange have also been allowed to crumble and disintegrate. Rather than redevelop the docks in a way that they have been so wonderfully done in Liverpool, the docks in Cardiff have been filled in. Magnificent warehouses have been torn down, and the whole history of coal and the uniqueness of this area have been almost obliterated. - The Real Versailles
E157The Real VersaillesAs BBC Two premieres its lavish new period drama set in the sumptuous surroundings of Versailles, Lucy Worsley and Helen Castor tell the real-life stories behind one of the world's grandest buildings. They reveal in vivid detail the colourful world of sex, drama and intrigue that Louis XIV and his courtiers inhabited. As chief curator of Historic Royal Palaces, Lucy Worsley untangles Louis XIV's complex world of court etiquette, fashion and feasting, while court politics expert Helen Castor delves into the archives and unpicks the Machiavellian world that Louis created. Our historians meet the real people behind the on-screen characters. They discover what drove Louis XIV to glorify his reign on a scale unmatched by any previous monarch, examine the tension between Louis and his only brother Philippe, an overt homosexual and battle hero, and they meet the coterie of women who competed for Louis's attention. As Lucy and Helen show, Louis XIV was ruthless in his pursuit of glory and succeeded in defeating his enemies. In his record-breaking 72-year reign, France became renowned for its culture and sophistication. - Kelly Holmes: My Marathon Story
E158Kelly Holmes: My Marathon StoryWorld marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe meets up with her former Great Britain teammate Dame Kelly Holmes, who is running the London Marathon for the first time on April 24. In this special programme, Paula talks to the double Olympic champion about her life in athletics, her personal issues with depression and self-harming, their contrasting times at the 2004 Athens Olympics, the current problems in athletics - and why she is racing the 26.2 miles more than 10 years after retiring from full-time athletics. Show less - Ben Building: Mussolini, Monuments and Modernism
E160Ben Building: Mussolini, Monuments and ModernismHaving previously investigated the architecture of Hitler and Stalin's regimes, Jonathan Meades turns his attention to another notorious 20th-century European dictator, Mussolini. His travels take him to Rome, Milan, Genoa, the new town of Sabaudia and the vast military memorials of Redipuglia and Monte Grappa. When it comes to the buildings of the fascist era, Meades discovers a dictator who couldn't dictate, with Mussolini caught between the contending forces of modernism and a revivalism that harked back to ancient Rome. The result was a variety of styles that still influence architecture today. Along the way, Meades ponders on the nature of fascism, the influence of the Futurists, and Mussolini's love of a fancy uniform. - Alan Shearer's Euro 96: When Football Came HomeE161
Alan Shearer's Euro 96: When Football Came HomeDocumentary. Twenty years on from Euro 96, when football came home to England, Alan Shearer, the tournament's Golden Boot winner, meets former teammates such as Paul Gascoigne and Teddy Sheringham and then-manager Terry Venables to recount the national side's run to the semi-finals. In this deeply personal programme, Alan Shearer reflects on the defining moment in his England career. He meets with Barry Davies and John Motson as they recount their favourite moments, while Frank Skinner and David Baddiel talk to Alan about the making of the iconic Three Lions song and look back on the summer that defined football in the nineties. - The Penis Extension Clinic
E162The Penis Extension ClinicThis documentary gives viewers exclusive access to a clinic that promises to make your manhood wider and longer… at the cost of £7,000. Meet truck driver Leon, who is about to go under the knife for a second time to get an even bigger penis, something his girlfriend says is unnecessary. We also follow Michael, who believes he would have had more successful relationships if he’d been more confident about his body. That’s the reason why, at the ripe age of 64, he is about to put himself through penis extension surgery. - The Making of an Ice PrincessE163
The Making of an Ice PrincessLily Matthias's dream is to be an ice-skating star and to represent her country - ultimately at the Olympics. What that ambition means for her family is mum Lyndsey getting up at 4am six days a week to drive Lily to her training in Blackburn, and dad Wayne spending a fortune every month on lessons, ice time, costumes and competition fees. So strong is Lily's commitment to her training that she's dropped out of school to focus on it. It has been entirely her own decision. Her trainer Kathryn Hudson says she's the most motivated 11-year-old she knows but also warns that very few actually make it to the top. Whether Lily can make it will be put to the test at the UK's biggest competition of the year, the British Figure Skating Championships. But Lily faces tough competition from two 12-year-olds - Scot Mia Gallagher who trains six days a week, morning and night, and Genevieve Sommerville, the number one skater for her age group, who is already competing in the advanced novice category. This film follows the girls' preparation across autumn 2015 as they train towards the British championships and reveals why having an ice princess in the family comes at a price - not just the time spent ferrying the girls to practices at dawn but the huge financial costs and risk of injury involved in the world of competitive skating. If you have ever harboured even the slightest desire that your child had a special talent or serious sporting prowess, then this documentary may serve as a salutary reminder to be careful what you wish for! - Anthony Joshua: A Legend in the Making
E164Anthony Joshua: A Legend in the MakingWith never-before-seen access to the most exciting heavyweight in boxing, Anthony Joshua gives us an exclusive insight into his life inside and outside the ring. Follow AJ throughout the days leading up to title fights, the people who are closest to him, and just what it takes to become a lean, mean, boxing machine. - Britain and Europe: For Richer or Poorer
E165Britain and Europe: For Richer or PoorerAhead of the EU referendum, Laura Kuenssberg examines the economic costs and benefits of EU membership. She talks to politicians and business leaders on both sides of the debate in a bid to find out what leaving could mean for trade and jobs, for red tape and people's livelihoods. Kuenssberg also looks at what the UK brings to the EU, and what it gets back, before hearing the views of the public on whether Britain is better off in or out. - Deepcut: The Army's Shame
E166Deepcut: The Army's ShameAs the inquest into the death of young soldier Cheryl James delivers its verdict, former soldiers who served alongside her at the notorious Deepcut barracks speak about life there - about a culture of bullying and physical and sexual abuse which has cast a shadow over the army for over two decades. - Murphy and O'Kane Do... Le Football
E167Murphy and O'Kane Do... Le FootballAs the country gears up for the Euros, Colin Murphy and Jake O'Kane - who both hate football - attempt to understand what it's all about. It's simple - singing, collecting stuff and onesies. They meet fans and visit Paris to see what fans can expect when there. - Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks to People
E170Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks to PeopleDocumentary telling the extraordinary story of Koko, the only 'talking' gorilla in the world, and her lifelong relationship with Penny Patterson. Project Koko started as a PhD project to teach sign language to a baby gorilla, but as Koko began to communicate with Penny, an intense bond formed between them. Penny has now been with Koko for over 40 years and claims Koko can reveal fresh insights into the workings of an animal's mind. Koko's unique life with Penny has been filmed every step of the way. Over 2,000 hours of footage chart the most dramatic moments - Penny's battle to keep Koko from being taken back to the zoo in which she was born, Penny's clash with academic critics who doubted her claims and the image of Koko mourning the death of her kitten. Penny believes that Koko has moved beyond simple language to express complex emotions - such as a longing for a baby gorilla of her own, and that the empathy she evokes in people changes their attitudes to all animals. This film explores what we can really learn from this extraordinary science experiment turned love affair. Does it tell us more about animals' emotions or our own? - Britain and Europe: The Immigration QuestionE171
Britain and Europe: The Immigration QuestionWith the EU Referendum approaching next week, Mishal Husain offers viewers an impartial insight into the effects of migration from other EU countries on the UK. Her report takes in everything from the impact on the British economy and jobs market, through to education, housing and the NHS. Experts from both sides of the in/out debate share their views on the subject, as Mishal assesses how concepts of national identity and visions of Britain's future look set to dictate how the public will vote on Thursday, June 23. - Lucy Worsley: Mozart's London Odyssey
E173Lucy Worsley: Mozart's London OdysseyLucy Worsley traces the forgotten and fascinating story of the young Mozart's adventures in Georgian London. Arriving in 1764 as an eight-year-old boy, London held the promise of unrivalled musical opportunity. But in telling the telling the tale of Mozart's strange and unexpected encounters, Lucy reveals how life wasn't easy for the little boy in a big bustling city. With the demands of a royal performance, the humiliation of playing keyboard tricks in a London pub, a near fatal illness and finding himself heckled on the streets, it was a lot for a child to take. But London would prove pivotal, for it was here that the young Mozart made his musical breakthrough, blossoming from a precocious performer into a powerful new composer. Lucy reveals that it was on British soil that Mozart composed his first ever symphony and, with the help of a bespoke performance, she explores how Mozart's experiences in London inspired his colossal achievement. But what should have earned him rapturous applause and the highest acclaim ended in suspicion, intrigue and accusations of fraud. - Professor Green: Dangerous Dogs
E174Professor Green: Dangerous DogsProfessor Green, aka Stephen Manderson, delves into the murky world of illegal dogs to investigate a worrying new trend. In the last decade, 27 people have been killed by dogs and hospitalisations have risen by 76%. But who is to blame? On a journey that takes him across the country, Stephen meets young men whose illegal dogs are trained to attack, the owner of a banned breed whose dog is facing a death sentence, the head of the Met Police Status Dog Unit, and the family of Jade Anderson, a 14-year-old girl killed in a tragic attack. Stephen asks whether the controversial Dangerous Dogs Act - which is 25 years old this year - is making things better or worse. - Britain's Most Spectacular Backyard Builds
E175Britain's Most Spectacular Backyard BuildsBritain is a nation of inventors and in back gardens all over the country people are building ingenious, eccentric and brilliantly bonkers creations. From jet-propelled shopping trolleys to breakfast-making machines, the only limit is the imagination and engineering knowhow. In this show, Sara Cox and award-winning architect Piers Taylor scour the country to find the very best backyard builders. They challenge three of them to put their skills to the test and create something truly spectacular in just ten weeks and with only £2,500. Sara and Piers then choose their favourite to win the competition. The three backyard inventors let their imaginations run wild as they attempt to build a sweet-dispensing carousel, an automated breakfast maker and a giant robot. - Inside Porton Down: Britain's Secret Weapons Research Facility
E176Inside Porton Down: Britain's Secret Weapons Research FacilityDr Michael Mosley investigates Britain's most secretive and controversial military research base, Porton Down, on its 100th anniversary. He comes face to face with chemical and biological weapons old and new, reveals the truth about shocking animal and human testing, and discovers how the latest science and technology are helping to defend us against terrorist attacks and rogue nations. - Women Prisoners: Throw Away the Key?
E177Women Prisoners: Throw Away the Key?Scotland jails more women than almost anywhere else in northern Europe. It's expensive and it has a shattering impact on the families. One of Britain's top human rights lawyers, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, examines new plans to close down Scotland's women's prison at Cornton Vale and move many of the women from prison into communities across Scotland. She looks at the success of international attempts at prison reform and questions why more funding isn't being given to successful justice projects in the community. - Life and Deaf
E179Life and DeafAn immersive, experiential film about the deaf world, with its unique humour and culture - a world which most of us rarely encounter. The film is in BSL: British Sign Language. There is no score, no commentary, and none of the conventions of normal film-making. The film follows some of the key characters who frequent St John's Deaf Club in north London as they face life's twists and turns and challenges. The Costis are a big deaf family. Tina Costi and her football-mad husband Marios are expecting a baby. For generations in Marios's family, boys are always born deaf and girls are always born hearing. Will this new Costi baby break with tradition? Like the Costis, Abigail also comes from a big deaf family. She has just turned 30 and is about to make one of the biggest decisions of her life. She is considering undergoing surgery to have a cochlear implant fitted to help her deteriorating hearing, and also to better connect with her hearing friends. Abigail wants to be part of both worlds. But it's a controversial decision for her family, who proudly trace their deaf heritage back eight generations. How will this affect her relationship with both her family and the wider deaf community? At the heart of St John's Deaf Club is its football team. The rivalry between deaf football teams is intense. Marios's brother Memnos is captain of the team. He eats, sleeps and breathes football. Passionate to the point of obsession, can he inspire his team to win the English Deaf Cup for the second time in a row? - Just Call Me Martina
E180Just Call Me MartinaSue Barker presents a documentary looking at the life and career of tennis star Martina Navrátilová. They first met on the tennis tour in 1974, so Sue was there throughout the landmarks of Martina's life: defection, coming out and breaking records. In this programme, Martina takes Sue back to Řevnice, her home in the Czech Republic, and allows the cameras to film her wedding in New York and their glamorous celebrations in Miami. As Martina approaches her sixtieth birthday, there are also insights from her sister Jana and greatest rival Chris Evert. We also hear from some of her greatest fans - Sir Elton John, Stephen Fry and other legendary tennis stars including Billie Jean King, Novak Đoković, Rafael Nadal, Pam Shriver and Rod Laver. - B Is for Book
E181B Is for BookDocumentary following a group of primary schoolchildren over the course of a year as they learn to read. Some of them make a flying start, but others struggle even with the alphabet. The film takes us into their home lives, where we find that some parents are strongly aspirational, tutoring children late into the night, while others speak English as a foreign language, if at all. As the children master the basics, they discover the magical world of stories and look with fresh eyes at the world around them. The film gives us privileged access to a profound process that all of us only ever do once in our lives. - Britain's Lost Waterlands: Escape to Swallows and Amazons Country
E182Britain's Lost Waterlands: Escape to Swallows and Amazons CountryRick Strawbridge and Alice Roberts explore the spectacular British landscapes that inspired children's author Arthur Ransome to write his series Swallows and Amazons. The landscapes he depicted are based on three iconic British waterlands. The beauty and drama of the Lake District shaped by ancient glaciers and rich in wildlife and natural resources, the shallow man-made waterways of the Norfolk broads so crucial to farming and reed production, and the coastal estuaries and deep-water harbours of the Suffolk coastline shaped by ferocious tides and crucial to trade. Engineer and keen sailor Dick uses vintage boats to explore the landscapes and meet people whose lives are shaped by the water, while wildlife enthusiast Alice explores the rich shorelines, interrogating the underlying geography and meeting the wildlife. Together they evoke the nostalgia of Ransome's writing and a bygone era of childhood freedom and adventure, but they also explore the economic significance of these special locations and the ways in which water was harnessed to change the course of British history. - Wales at the Somme: Gareth Thomas and the Battle of Mametz Wood
E186Wales at the Somme: Gareth Thomas and the Battle of Mametz WoodWelsh rugby legend Gareth 'Alfie' Thomas travels to France to unearth his great uncles' involvement in the Battle of the Somme. At Mametz Wood he joins an archaeological dig, which reveals new and groundbreaking discoveries. - Sex, Drugs and Murder: Life in the Red Light Zone: Welcome to Holbeck
E187Sex, Drugs and Murder: Life in the Red Light Zone: Welcome to HolbeckAn uncompromising look at the lives of sex workers in an area of Leeds where, if you're buying or selling sex, you won’t get arrested. The red light zone was introduced to try and make the lives of the women who work there safer. We meet the sisters who work together on the streets, as they talk candidly about how every night they put their lives at risk. And as one of them describes how they were brutally attacked, we ask - is this pioneering experiment working? - Fixing Dad
E188Fixing DadGeoff was an overweight, over-worked night security guard, close to having his foot amputated and resigned to a premature death due to a catalogue of dangerous conditions linked to type 2 diabetes. His sons decided it was time to step in. Documentary film-makers Anthony and Ian Whitington turned their cameras on their dad in a last-ditch attempt to save his life. There are no quick fixes as they battle to overhaul every aspect of Geoff's destructive lifestyle, from poor diet to bad habits, ingrained negativity and superhuman stubbornness - and set him the challenge of cycling 100 miles. But the brothers won't give up. With their humour, support and determination, they show that those we love make us strong and that a life we love is worth fighting for. - The Greatest Poem of World War One: David Jones's In Parenthesis
E189The Greatest Poem of World War One: David Jones's In ParenthesisIn Parenthesis is considered one of the greatest ever literary works about war. TS Eliot called it a work of genius and WH Auden said it did for the British and Germans what Homer did for the Greeks and Trojans. Published in 1937, it is based intimately on the wartime experiences of its author David Jones, a Londoner who volunteered to fight when he was just 19. Unlike many war poets, Jones remained a private throughout the war, and he fought for longer than any other British writer. In this programme, the poet and author Owen Sheers traces the story of In Parenthesis, from an English parade ground to the carnage of the Somme offensive. Through readings of key passages, insights from poets such as Simon Armitage, and interviews with David Jones experts, he pieces together the similarities between the poem and David Jones's own war. He explores how In Parenthesis came to be written, and just what makes it such a supreme work. His journey culminates, like the poem, at Mametz Wood in northern France, where David Jones went into battle and encountered terrifying violence first hand. - Jessica Ennis-Hill: A Coach's StoryE191
Jessica Ennis-Hill: A Coach's StoryDocumentary going behind the scenes of Jessica Ennis-Hill's bid to defend her heptathlon title at the Rio 2016 Olympics, seen through the eyes of her coach Toni Minichiello. Having turned a 13-year-old schoolgirl into the golden girl of London 2012, Minichiello has a unique insight into what makes Ennis-Hill tick and what it is like to coach an Olympic champion. With their greatest challenge perhaps still to come - attempting to defend the Olympic crown in Rio despite long periods away from the sport due to motherhood and injury - we hear how Minichiello and Ennis-Hill plan to rule the world once more in Brazil. - SerenaE192
SerenaAn intimate look into the life of the tennis champion and international superstar Serena Williams during her 2015-2016 season. Real, raw and authentic, 'Serena' provides a glimpse into the world of the athlete-designer-businesswoman, while offering an unvarnished portrait of this often-controversial sports icon. This feature documentary explores the uncompromising pressure that comes with being the world number one, ultimately emphasising the humanity under all the success. - NYPD: Biggest Gang in New York?
E193NYPD: Biggest Gang in New York?In the wake of the shooting of five Dallas police officers, BBC Three investigates why tension is rising between America’s police forces and ethnic minorities. Shot on the streets of New York, the films follows ‘Cop Watchers’ – men and women who track the NYPD in a cat-and-mouse game to try and film arrests and possible cases of brutality. NYPD officers also speak out, alleging systemic racism and a policy of targeting ethnic minority communities in order hit their arrest quotas. - Swim the Channel
E194Swim the ChannelIn 1875, Captain Matthew Webb - with little more than some brandy, beer and beef tea to keep him going - became the first man to successfully swim from England to France. Since then more people have conquered Everest than successfully swum across the Channel. To this day, it remains the ultimate open water swimming challenge. This documentary tells the story of those who keep Captain Webb's vision alive - the volunteer coaches and the unlikeliest of athletes who they tirelessly support in their dream to swim from England to France. The rules are simple - no physical aids, no wimp/wet suits, just a swimsuit, goggles, the all-important swimming cap and a spot of grease to stop the chafing. At the heart of the community are pensioners Freda, Irene and Barry. They can be found in Dover every weekend from May to September come rain or shine, ready to train, feed and grease the wannabe Channel swimmers. The swimmers do not take on this arduous journey alone, and also rely on the skill of the pilots who navigate them safely to the other side of the busiest shipping lane in the world. The community share their highs and lows both in and out of the water as they train together on this small stretch of pebbled beach shadowed by the ferry port. Feasting on jelly babies, and fuelled by adrenalin and dreams, the modern-day swimmer continues to risk it all in this, the ultimate challenge of man versus nature. - The Search for the Lost Manuscript: Julian of Norwich
E195The Search for the Lost Manuscript: Julian of NorwichMedieval art historian Dr Janina Ramirez tells the incredible story of a book hidden for centuries in the shadows of history, the first book ever written in English by a woman, Julian of Norwich, in 1373. Revelations of Divine Love dared to present an alternative vision of man's relationship with God, a theology fundamentally at odds with the church of Julian's time, and for 500 years the book was suppressed. It re-emerged in the 20th century as an iconic text for the women's movement and was acknowledged as a literary masterpiece. Janina follows the trail of the lost manuscript, travelling from Norwich to Cambrai in northern France to discover how the book survived and the brave women who championed it. - The Man Who Filmed the Somme
E196The Man Who Filmed the SommeIn the summer of 1916, the First World War's bloodiest battle was fought around the river Somme in northern France. It lasted three months and there were thousands of casualties on both British and Commonwealth, and German sides. For the first time ever, British cameramen were allowed to the Western Front to film its opening stages. The edited footage that they came back with became a box office smash, and has been shaping our view of that bloody conflict ever since. Robert Hall tells the story of one of those men, Geoffrey Malins. - The Men Who Sleep in Trucks
E197The Men Who Sleep in TrucksAward-winning filmmaker Marc Isaacs explores the secret life of Britain's truckers, discovering an uncharted world of isolation, loneliness and the open road. Finding many of these men sleeping in their own trucks in lay-by car parks and service stations, this film is an intimate and poignant portrayal of modern masculinity on Britain's motorways. - The Joy of Data
E198The Joy of DataA witty and mind-expanding exploration of data, with mathematician Dr Hannah Fry. This high-tech romp reveals what data is and how it is captured, stored, shared and made sense of. Fry tells the story of the engineers of the data age, people most of us have never heard of despite the fact they brought about a technological and philosophical revolution. For Hannah, the joy of data is all about spotting patterns. Hannah sees data as the essential bridge between two universes - the tangible, messy world that we see and the clean, ordered world of maths, where everything can be captured beautifully with equations. The film reveals the connection between Scrabble scores and online movie streaming, explains why a herd of dairy cows are wearing pedometers, and uncovers the network map of Wikipedia. What's the mystery link between marmalade and One Direction? The film hails the contribution of Claude Shannon, the mathematician and electrical engineer who, in an attempt to solve the problem of noisy telephone lines, devised a way to digitise all information. Shannon singlehandedly launched the 'information age'. Meanwhile, Britain's National Physical Laboratory hosts a race between its young apprentices in order to demonstrate how and why data moves quickly around modern data networks. It's all thanks to the brilliant technique first invented there in the 1960s by Welshman Donald Davies - packet switching. But what of the future? Should we be worried by the pace of change and what our own data could be used for? Ultimately, Fry concludes, data has empowered all of us. We must have machines at our side if we're to find patterns in the modern-day data deluge. But, Fry believes, regardless of AI and machine learning, it will always take us to find the meaning in them. - When Pop Went Crazy: The Epic World of the Concept AlbumE199
When Pop Went Crazy: The Epic World of the Concept AlbumWhen Pop Went Epic: The Crazy World of the Concept Album Film exploring the history of the concept album - a musical format usually based around a structured narrative, that developed to become the equivalent of rock 'n' roll theatre. - Keith Richards - The Origin of the SpeciesE200
Keith Richards - The Origin of the SpeciesA Julien Temple-authored documentary essay film about Keith Richards's postwar childhood and adolescence in Dartford and London. Exploring the cultural undercurrents and transformative thinking which occurred in England between 1945 and 1962 and made possible the worldwide explosion of British rock music during the 60s, in which Keith played such a crucial role. - The Marvellous World of Roald Dahl
E201The Marvellous World of Roald DahlFighter pilot, inventor, spy - the life of Roald Dahl is often stranger than fiction. From crashing his plane over Africa to hobnobbing in Hollywood and his remarkable encounters with everyone from Walt Disney to President Roosevelt - this is the story of his greatest adventures and how his real-life escapades find expression in his most famous books, from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to Matilda. Through a vast collection of his letters, writings and archive, the story is told largely in his own words with contributions from his last wife Liccy, daughter Lucy and biographer Donald Sturrock. Long-term collaborator and illustrator Quentin Blake also creates exclusive new drawings for the film which are specially animated to bring Dahl's marvellous world to life. - Roger Bannister: Everest on the TrackE202
Roger Bannister: Everest on the TrackOn 6th May 1954, Roger Bannister became the first man to run a mile in under four minutes. He was the epitome of Britain's disappearing scholar-athlete ideal. The lunchtime-trained runner, immersed in his medical school studies, injected a booster shot into Britain's flagging but still flickering morale. This documentary is as much an historical study of Britain's search for something to erase the woes of the Second World War, as it is a fresh look at the story of the quest for the first four-minute mile, previously deemed physically impossible. The story is told by Sir Roger himself, his rival John Landy, Seb Coe and the late Chris Chataway, who was Bannister's friend and pacesetter - among many others. - Peggy Guggenheim: Art Addict
E203Peggy Guggenheim: Art AddictA colourful character who was not only ahead of her time but helped to define it, Peggy Guggenheim was an heiress to a family fortune who became a central figure in the modern art movement. As she moved through the cultural upheaval of the 20th century, she collected not only art, but artists. Her colourful personal history included such figures as Samuel Beckett, Max Ernst, Jackson Pollock, Alexander Calder, Marcel Duchamp as well as countless others. While fighting through personal tragedy, she maintained her vision to build one of the most important collections of modern art, now enshrined in her Venetian palazzo. - Jade: Why I Chose Porn
E204Jade: Why I Chose Porn22 year-old Jade graduated with a degree in Fashion from Manchester Metropolitan University in the summer of 2015. But rather than work in the world of fashion, Jade - aka Carly Rae Summers - has decided to pursue a career in porn. This film follows Jade as she embarks on her new full-time career, travelling to shoots in London, Barcelona and Prague, and explores the practical and ethical issues that surround a young female porn star in Britain today. Why would a well-educated young woman with a range of career options choose to pursue a career in porn? - Britain's Pompeii: A Village Lost in Time
E205Britain's Pompeii: A Village Lost in TimeProfessor Alice Roberts joins the team excavating a 3,000 year-old Bronze Age village in the Cambridgeshire Fens that's been called the 'British Pompeii'. The village earned its nickname because, 3,000 years ago, it burned to the ground - as it burned, it fell into the peat, preserving both the houses and their contents. Until its discovery, we had little real idea of what life was like in Bronze Age Britain. Now we can peek inside our Bronze Age ancestors' homes as archaeologists discover perfectly preserved roundhouses, and the contents inside them - right down to the utensils of their kitchens. These roundhouses were built in a style never seen in the UK before - testimony not only to the villagers' technical skills, but also of their connections to Europe. The team has made other incredible discoveries on the dig - from Britain's oldest-found wheel, to swords used in battle, and bowls still containing preserved remnants of food. One of the biggest revelations is the discovery of a complete set of the early technology used to produce cloth - a full industrial process we've never seen in Britain before. This glimpse into domestic life 3,000 years ago is unprecedented, but it also transforming our impressions of Bronze Age Britain - far from being poor and isolated, it seems the villagers were successful large-scale farmers who used their farming surplus to trade with Europe, exchanging their crops for beautiful glass jewellery and multiple metal tools per household. As part of the dig, the archaeologists are also investigating the cause of the fire - was it just a terrible accident, or did the villagers' wealth provoke an attack? Professor Roberts says - 'There are so many exciting finds - and so many revelations - it is as if we're reaching back across 3,000 years to shake hands with our ancestors'. - The Banker's Guide to Art
E206The Banker's Guide to ArtDocumentary taking an inside look at the high-stakes and sometimes murky world of art collecting. In recent years, the value of London's art market has soared to unprecedented heights, driven by the nouveau riche of the financial world, whose money has poured into the bank accounts of dealers, galleries and auction houses. - The Girl from Ipanema: Brazil, Bossa Nova and the Beach
E207The Girl from Ipanema: Brazil, Bossa Nova and the BeachDocumentary in which Katie Derham travels to Rio de Janeiro (where her father was born) to explore the story behind Brazil's most famous and enduring song. Written in 1962 by Antonio Carlos Jobim with lyrics by Vinicius de Moraes, with a later English translation by Norman Gimbel, The Girl from Ipanema defines the moment Brazil charmed the world stage with a laidback song about a haunting woman. - Brexit: The Battle for Britain
E208Brexit: The Battle for BritainOn 23 June, Britain was hit by a political earthquake. Within hours of the EU referendum result, the Prime Minister had resigned, the pound fell and Westminster was reeling. So how and why did this political revolution happen - and how does it stand to reshape Britain's politics? In this film, the BBC's Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg tells the inside story of how David Cameron’s huge political gamble went wrong. Talking to the politicians and the people who ran the campaigns, she'll find out how a perfect storm brewed, which would end Cameron’s premiership and throw the Labour Party into chaos, as well as reshaping Britain's place in the world for a generation. In Sunderland - an area where the result sent Britain's political classes into shock - voters, politicians and activists will describe how the groundswell of protest grew. And Laura will explore how a gulf opened up between Westminster and large parts of modern Britain. Just weeks on from the referendum, British politics is already transformed: we have a new Prime Minister, Nigel Farage has bowed out, and Jeremy Corbyn's opponents within Labour have moved against him. But that is just the beginning: the effects of this result will be felt for decades. This film tells the inside story of how it happened. - Versus: The Life and Films of Ken LoachE210
Versus: The Life and Films of Ken LoachKen Loach, who has been making socially aware dramas and documentaries for over 50 years, reflects on his often controversial career, with comments from colleagues, friends and family. Successes like Cathy Come Home, Kes and Palm d'Or winning The Wind that Shakes the Barley are matched by tales of projects shelved or pilloried, a stage play cancelled during rehearsals, and a personal tragedy. - Generation '66
E211Generation '66Documentary exploring the key events of 1966, a period when British pop music, fashion and sport was making waves across the globe, but when the nation's upbeat mood was undercut by darker sensibilities. Narrated by Maxine Peake and featuring contributions from Michael Palin, Janet Street-Porter and Peter Stringfellow, who share their memories of the era. - Britain's Most Wanted Motorbike Gangs?
E212Britain's Most Wanted Motorbike Gangs?Britain’s Most Wanted Motorbike Gangs? takes us inside a new underground phenomena involved in the “Bike Life” scene, which sees young men performing stunts on motorbikes on public roads. The bikers say that are part of a movement that showcases their skills and keeps young people away from gangs. The police say that they are dangerous criminals and are reacting by deploying increased resources to shut down the scene and lock up the most notorious riders. Our cameras follow the riders from London and the Thamesmead estate in Kent as they play a game of cat and mouse with the police, and say that they’ll never stop riding even though they run the risk of arrest, injury and even death. - The Gift of HearingE213
The Gift of HearingA shaky video of Jo Milne hearing for the first time after she was fitted with hearing implants became an internet sensation, and reunited her with an old school friend from Bangladesh. Together, the two women embark on a mission to help deaf children from Bangladesh, many of whom can never hope to have access to hearing aids. With the support of some unlikely backers in the shape of 70s pop icons the Osmond Brothers, this is the uplifting story of how hundreds of young lives have been changed as children hear for the very first time. - Redefining JulietE214
Redefining JulietThink you know who can play Juliet? Well, think again. Redefining Juliet is a unique retelling of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet using a group of diverse actors - all with disabilities or differences. Tall, small, large, deaf, limbless or wheelchair using, but each owning the iconic Shakespearean character of Juliet for themselves. - From EastEnders to Hollywood: Antonia BirdE216
From EastEnders to Hollywood: Antonia BirdProfile of the director, whose career successful spanned the Royal Court Theatre, BBC dramas including Casualty and EastEnders to movies Safe, Priest, Face and Ravenous, before her death in 2013 at the age of 62. The programme explores the struggles she faced and the stories behind her movies, and features contributions from collaborators including Kay Mellor, Robert Carlyle, Anita Dobson and Irvine Welsh. - Hidden Killers of the Post War HomeE217
Hidden Killers of the Post War HomeDr Suzannah Lipscomb reveals some of the unexpected dangers lurking in the ever-changing homes of Britain in the 1950s. For the first time, moulded plywood furniture, fibreglass, plastics and polyester were becoming fixtures of domestic life, having all been developed and created during the Second World War. However, even as this bright new era of social change progressed, bringing higher living standards and improved technologies, new, unprecedented hazards were finding their way into everyday life. - Josie: My Cancer CurseE218
Josie: My Cancer CurseIf your body carried a deadly gene that increased your chances of getting breast cancer to 80 percent - would you want to know? This poignant one-hour documentary follows 18-year-old Josie Bellerby, a gorgeous, fun-loving, typical teenager except for one thing: Her mum carries a hereditary gene that has cursed their family for generations, killing her great-grandmother and her mother. There is a test that tells you if you have the gene. Josie's Mum Julia was one of the first in the UK to take it a few years ago. She proved positive, and decided to have drastic surgery - to remove both her breasts. Now Josie and her two sisters face the same heartbreaking choice. Big sister Lucy has decided she's ready to take the test and will soon receive life-changing news. Josie has a dilemma should she find out if she has it too? Her family thinks she's too young to know, she should be enjoying her young life not worrying about the risk of cancer and a double mastectomy. Josie's an ordinary girl searching for the answer to an extraordinary question: is she old enough to cope with finding out if she carries the cancer curse? - Damien Hirst And Jeff Koon's Side By Side: The InterviewE222
Damien Hirst And Jeff Koon's Side By Side: The InterviewIn this exclusive television interview, Kirsty Wark meets two of the biggest stars of the modern art world, Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons. The occasion is a major new exhibition of Koons's work collected and curated by Hirst at his new gallery in London's Vauxhall. In an intimate and revealing interview, Hirst and Koons talk about how they first met and fell in love with each other's work. Both started out as rebels who provoked outrage. Now they are part of the art establishment and among the richest artists in the world. But, as Wark discovers, they retain their passionate belief in the power of art. - Scotland: The Edge Of EuropeE223
Scotland: The Edge Of EuropeFor the second time in as many years, Scotland is facing a choice about the future country it wants to be. This time, however, the Scots are not alone in making that choice. The forthcoming referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union will define Britain's story for decades to come. But the view from Scotland is somewhat different from the rest of the UK. Why does Scotland appear to be more pro-EU? What advantages and disadvantages have membership of the European Union brought? And what happens next? Allan Little has been travelling both in Scotland and abroad to find out. - Duran Duran at EdenE224
Duran Duran at EdenAlex Jones introduces highlights of the band's concert from the Eden Project's biomes, which was the climax of a day of live performances at the site celebrating BBC Music Day. An audience of 6,000 enjoy the show, which is one of the first performances on a new international tour promoting the group's 14th studio album Paper Gods. The programme also features special appearances by singer-songwriter Laura Mvula, who performs with the group, and BBC Music Day ambassador Nile Rodgers. - Kate Humble: My Sheepdog and MeE225
Kate Humble: My Sheepdog and MeKate Humble sets out to breed Welsh sheepdog puppies from her beloved pet Teg, and learns about the threat facing British herding dogs. A true Welsh sheepdog is a working dog, and so Kate sets out to train Teg to work in the traditional Welsh way. Along the way, she meets a team of researchers at the University of Aberystwyth, whose groundbreaking DNA research reveals some remarkable facts about the Welsh sheepdog. If Teg can produce a litter of healthy Welsh sheepdog puppies, she can play a big part in helping one of Britain's unique herding dogs survive for generations to come. - Pappano's Italian Double Bill at the Royal Opera HouseE227
Pappano's Italian Double Bill at the Royal Opera HouseThe Royal Opera House presents a double bill of two short operas, premiered within a couple of years of each other in the 1890s by two great Italian composers - Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni and Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo. The two operas epitomise the style known as verismo - where being true to life meant dealing directly with the real problems of real people. A star-studded cast is led by the Latvian tenor Aleksandrs Antonenko and features the sopranos Eva-Maria Westbroek and Carmen Giannattasio, alongside the Greek baritone, Dmitri Platanias. The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House is conducted by Sir Antonio Pappano. - Thierry Henry: My France, My EurosE228
Thierry Henry: My France, My EurosThe former France striker and Arsenal's all-time leading scorer looks at European Championship stories, assessing the social and cultural impact football has across the continent. As Henry's home country prepares to host Euro 2016 following last November's terror attacks in Paris, he explores how the beautiful game can unify a nation, from the success of the Netherlands in 1988 to Euro 96 in England, when `football came home'. Contributors include Cesc Fabregas, Peter Schmeichel, Ruud Gullit, Jurgen Klinsmann, Alan Shearer, David Baddiel and Ian Broudie. - Summer-night Concert from Vienna - 2016E229
Summer-night Concert from Vienna - 2016Katie Derham introduces this year's traditional spectacular concert from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in the gardens of Schonbrunn Palace. There's a distinctly French flavour to the evening with music from Bizet, Berlioz, Poulenc and Ravel, and a special appearance from the world-renowned French piano duo the Labeque sisters. The concert is conducted for the first time by Semyon Bychkov who, though Russian-born, is an honorary Frenchman on account of his being married to Marielle Labeque. This year's concert features such musical favourites as Ravel's exuberant Bolero and his ravishing Daphnis and Chloe. There is also a chance to dance along to the can-can from Offenbach's Orpheus in the Underworld plus, of course, the traditional end to the concert, Johann Strauss Junior's romantic waltz Wiener Blut. It wouldn't be a summer's night in Vienna without it! - Brexageddon?!E230
Brexageddon?!One-off comedy satirising the EU referendum and its seismic effect, tackling the heated debate from all angles, including a Ukip follower attempting PR relations at an anti-fascist rally, a hipster campaigning for an independent state of Islington and getting stuck in a revolving door with Boris Johnson. Starring Heydon Prowse and Jolyon Rubenstein. - Sings Stevie WonderE231
Sings Stevie WonderOn the eve of Stevie Wonder's headline set at Hyde Park performing his classic album Songs in the Key of Life, this compilation celebrates over 50 years of covers of his classic songbook filmed at BBC studio shows over the years. Featuring Cilla Black, Jimmy Helms, Dionne Warwick, the Osmonds, India Arie, James Morrison and a storming performance of Ed Sheeran with Jools and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra taking on Master Blaster (Jammin' on Hootenanny. Expect a special emphasis on Wonder's bank of classic ballads which include Isn't She Lovely, Love's in Need of Love Today, For Once in My Life, You Are the Sunshine of My Life and many more. - Visions of World War OneE234
Visions of World War OneKim Howells tells the story of how Welsh artists portrayed the First World War. In the works of Christopher Williams, Augustus John and David Jones, Kim finds different sides of this terrible war to end all wars. He also discovers forgotten figures like cartoonist Bert Thomas and painter Margaret Lindsay Williams, who both produced important works of art between 1914 and 1918. The conflict between 1914 and 1918 was the first industrialised war with tanks and machine guns, but it was also the first mass media war. In the course of four years, tens of thousands of posters and paintings were produced, many with official government approval. In a time when cinema was in its infancy and radio had yet to be born, art had a crucial role to play in portraying the war to the public back home. This was the golden age of the poster, and three Welsh graphic artists played a leading role. Frank Brangwyn and Gerald Spencer Pryse were both commissioned by London Underground in 1914 to create more stylish recruitment posters than the boring government issue billboards. Brangwyn had been born in Belgium to a Welsh mother, while Spencer Pryse had served with the Belgian army, and they both produced dramatic works highlighting the plight of Belgian refugees.Cartoonist Bert Thomas was born in Newport and by 1914 was well known in the comic magazine Punch. His cartoon 'Arf a Mo Kaiser was given away with cigarette packets and became the most popular illustration of the whole war. The most important Welsh battle of the First World War also produced the most important painting. The Welsh at Mametz by Christopher Williams showed soldiers of the Royal Welch Fusiliers overcoming fierce German opposition to capture Mametz Wood in the Somme, albeit at a terrible cost. Williams was sent to Mametz in the aftermath of the battle to make sketches and meet soldiers who fought there. The finished painting hung in 10 Downing Street for the remainder of the war. The poet and artist David Jon - Wales' Euro HeroesE235
Wales' Euro HeroesIt was the tournament that Welsh football fans will remember forever. Re-live all the goals and action from the 2016 European Championship as Wales inspired a nation by getting all the way to the semi-finals. The programme includes interviews with Dean Saunders, Tanni Grey-Thompson and Jonathan Davies. - Summer: Earth's Seasonal Secrets
E238Summer: Earth's Seasonal SecretsEvery year, spectacular seasons transform our planet. As they sweep across the world, they drive all life on Earth, bringing huge opportunities and great challenges to everything. This programme, narrated by Andrew Scott, celebrates the glorious nature of summer on Earth and the extraordinary ways animals and plants rise to the challenges it brings. With the sun shining and the flowers blooming, this is the season of splendid abundance, and the long hours of daylight make life burst out in a riot of activity. But you have to find clever ways to get your share of the good times while they last, and as temperatures soar, everything has to deal with sweltering heat. For a whole range of animals, from sneaky ring-tailed lemurs to battling ibex, and from overheated penguins to astonishing colour-changing lizards, summer is a time when the living is not always easy. - Home to Ebbw ValeE239
Home to Ebbw ValeJournalist Oruj Defoite was brought up in Ebbw Vale. On this journey home, she investigates why people there voted so heavily in favour of leaving the EU. Blaenau Gwent has benefitted from European investment in many ways. So what led voters to turn their backs on the EU? And what future now for this once-booming steel town? Can a big incoming project such as the proposed circuit of Wales racetrack alleviate poverty which dogs the area? Or should Ebbw Vale look to its own entrepreneurs to build it up again from the grassroots? - Mo Farah: Race of His LifeE240
Mo Farah: Race of His LifeThis documentary tells the life story and year of one of Great Britain's most successful athletes as he hopes to make history and win two more gold medals at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. The film shows just how hard he pushes himself and what life is like in training camps in Ethiopia, Arizona and France as Mo leaves his young family behind for months at a time. Mo openly discusses recent controversies surrounding his coach and what sacrifices he feels are necessary to succeed. On a visit to Djibouti in Africa where he was born and grew up, he visits his twin brother who he was separated from for many years as the family moved to the UK to live with Mo's father. Usain Bolt, Boris Johnson, Lord Coe and Haile Gebrselassie share their thoughts on one of Britain's most successful athletes. - The Closer We GetE241
The Closer We GetAward-winning documentary film, The Closer We Get, is a powerful and exquisitely-shot autobiographical portrait of loyalty, broken dreams and redemption told by its director, reluctantly-dutiful daughter Karen, who takes you under the skin of the household she returns to for this long goodbye. Karen's mother Ann suffers a devastating stroke that brings her daughter back home when she least expects it. But Karen isn't the only one who returns to help care for Ann in the crisis: Her prodigal father Ian, endearing and unfathomable, and who's been separated from Ann for years, also reappears. Armed with her camera, Karen seizes this last chance to go under the skin of the family story before it's too late, to come to terms with the aftermath of the secret her father had tried - and failed - to keep from them all, and to find that Ann's stroke has in fact thrown them all a life raft. With candour, warmth and much unexpected humour, Karen's role as family confidante, busybody, therapist and spy illuminates this extraordinary story of contemporary family survival. - Scotland at the GamesE243
Scotland at the GamesJane Lewis and Kheredine Idessane present a review of Scotland's most successful Olympic Games ever on foreign soil. Rio 2016 featured gold medal-winning performances from Callum Skinner and Katie Archibald in cycling, Heather Stanning in rowing and from Andy Murray in tennis. Scottish stars also won medals in other sports, including judo, canoeing and rugby sevens. We look back at the best of the action and hear from many of the athletes involved. - All Aboard! The Country Bus
E245All Aboard! The Country BusFollowing the success of previous BBC Four 'slow TV' programmes, including All Aboard! The Sleigh Ride & Canal Trip, and Slow Week, BBC4 is inviting viewers aboard for a very special journey through one of the most spectacular and beautiful bus routes in Britain. The 'Northern Dalesman', as the bus on the route is called, has been rigged with specialist cameras as it travels on its journey, snaking across the iconic landscape of the Yorkshire Dales. Filmed in real time, the cameras capture the road unfurling, the passing scenery and the occasional chatter of local passengers. The bus route begins in Richmond in North Yorkshire and takes viewers on a lush and varied ride, along a river valley thronged by blossoming hawthorn trees, through ancient mining villages and wild flower-filled meadows. The bus climbs high into the Dales, vast and peaceful. As it slows down to allow sheep and their lambs to cross the road, the only sounds are the wind and the cry of curlews. And then the final stretch across cotton-grass covered moorland. With the mountain range known as the Three Peaks in the distance, the bus descends towards the striking 24-arch Ribblehead viaduct, one of the great engineering achievements of the 19th century. The programme features captions integrated into the landscape to provide details about the dramatic countryside through which the bus is passing - from aspects of the natural or geological environment to specific highlights of Britain's agricultural or industrial heritage, from the ancient stone hay barns that dot the landscape to the scars left behind by the lead mining of previous centuries. - Being Mavis Nicholson: TV's Greatest InterviewerE247
Being Mavis Nicholson: TV's Greatest InterviewerElizabeth Taylor, Helen Mirren, David Bowie and Margaret Thatcher are just some of the names who queued up to be interviewed by Mavis Nicholson, recently named as the greatest TV interviewer of all time. This film explores how a middle-aged woman from Wales became Britain's first female chat show host. Including contributions from Maureen Lipman, Paul O'Grady, Elvis Costello, Judith Chalmers, Eamonn Holmes and Mavis herself, alongside many others. - The Brownlees: An Olympic StoryE248
The Brownlees: An Olympic StoryAlistair and Jonny Brownlee are the most loyal of friends and yet the toughest of rivals. They have the capability of bringing the best - and at times the worst - out of each other. In Rio 2016, Alistair will be aiming to become the first triathlete to successfully defend their Olympic title, while younger brother Jonny's target is to improve on the bronze medal he earned at London 2012. In the build-up to the Games, Tom Fordyce speaks to the brothers as he looks into what it is about their relationship that makes them so unique and their achievements so extraordinary. - The R&B Feeling: The Bob Parks StoryE249
The R&B Feeling: The Bob Parks Story1971, and the Los Angeles performance art scene is flourishing. Chris Burden has just ordered a studio assistant to shoot him in the left arm with a rifle, Barbara T Smith is staging provocative interventions at F-Space, and Paul McCarthy is painting his naked body with mustard and ketchup in the name of art. And among them all, Bob Parks: an energetic young artist from the UK, living with his beautiful and interesting San Fransiscan wife, Myriam Morales. Life is perfect, for a time. But when Bob's marriage fails and Myriam leaves for Santa Fe, things fall apart. He walks the streets of Los Angeles for a year in a string bikini and sees his burgeoning art career come to pieces. Having been rescued by the parishioners of a South Central gospel church, and having spent six years worshipping and singing alongside them, Bob finally moves back to the UK to live with his parents in the New Forest. Despite planning to stay for only six months to finish a series of paintings and gather his thoughts, Bob stays for thirty years. We meet him as he continues to develop his art practice, continues to sing in a gospel church and continues to explore what he calls 'the R&B feeling'. Against this backdrop, Bob attempts to break free of a constraining and mutually dependent relationship with his mother, Miggie, whose health is failing. As time goes on Bob's obsession with his mother - and her impending death - deepens, before reaching a terrible and tragic conclusion. - Who's Afraid of Conceptual Art?E250
Who's Afraid of Conceptual Art?Dr James Fox has never really got conceptual art. And he's not alone. Conceptual art has been treated with suspicion and incredulity by virtually everyone outside the art world for nearly a hundred years. Ever since Marcel Duchamp first displayed a signed urinal and claimed it was art in 1917. So was he taking the piss? Or was he on to something, creating a whole new approach to art that has now lasted a century? Dr Fox embarks on an open-minded guide for the perplexed and asks 'What is conceptual art?' 'How should we approach it?' and crucially, 'Why should we care?'. Roaming between the past, present and future he examines a mind-bending selection of the most influential conceptual ideas and artworks, alongside meeting the leading movers and shakers of today. And who knows? In the end, Dr Fox might find himself unexpectedly seduced by this trickiest of art forms. - A Week In The WildE251
A Week In The WildIn this programme, three celebrities take on iconic, long-distance hikes in some of the world's most remote locations. On this expedition, ex-politician Stanley Johnson, TV presenter Melanie Sykes and German comedian Henning Wehn tackle Mexico's little explored but famous Copper Canyon. It is a stunning wilderness in the heart of the Sierra Madre Mountains of north west Mexico. Over the course of a week, our trio experience an enticing challenge through difficult and remote terrain, an unforgiving climate and unfamiliar culture. They carve a route through breathtaking scenery, endless steep valleys, gorges and plateaux, setting up camp each night. The relentless journey will take stamina, will power and even a mule or two. They climb two thousand metre peaks to meet some of Mexico's most remote cattle ranchers, trek across canyons to treacherous gold mines where prospectors still seek out their fortune, and descend into deep valleys, where the indigenous Tarahumara people hide away to protect their culture and way of life. The goal is to witness one of the most important festivals of the year and get first-hand experience of rituals and beliefs that, as a result of their inaccessibility, have survived the changes of 21st-century life. A physical and mental challenge, this is an inspiring, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our celebrities to experience alternative values in a world far removed from their own and learn something different about the culture, people and environment of this intriguing part of Mexico. - Being Jamie Baulch: The Search for My Birth DadE252
Being Jamie Baulch: The Search for My Birth DadWelsh world champion and Olympic sprinter Jamie Baulch goes in search of his biological father who he believes to be Jamaican and the source of his speed. In the previous Bafta Cymru-winning documentary two years ago, Jamie, who is adopted, went on an incredibly emotional journey looking for his birth mum. In the end, he found her, met her for the first time and showed her his athletic medals. Picking up from the last film with the meeting of his two mums, Jamie then hits the streets of the black community in Nottingham, the city of his birth, to find his natural father. He questions whether his athletic talent is in his genes or a consequence of his determination and upbringing - his parents, his teachers, his coaches? Nature or nurture. - A Very British Deterrent
E253A Very British DeterrentWith Trident renewed for another generation, A Very British Deterrent tells the story of the remarkable events, eye-watering costs, power relationships and secret deals done half a century ago to secure Britain's very first submarine-launched nuclear missiles. In today's turbulent world, it is a story that is more relevant than ever. At the height of the Cold War, a series of political and technical crises came close to leaving Britain without a nuclear weapon of its own. In a time of unprecedented international tension and with the world locked in a terrifying nuclear arms race, one small loch in Scotland became a crucial bargaining chip to keep Britain in the nuclear game. Using the personal letters of prime ministers and presidents, eye-witness accounts and once-secret documents, this film explores how the British prime minister Harold Macmillan seized every opportunity to further Britain's nuclear ambitions, was prepared to trade a Scottish base for a new American weapon, and even jeopardised the crucial Anglo-American relationship to keep Britain an independent nuclear power. - London 1666
E254London 1666Lauren Laverne hosts this landmark event to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, as a 100-metre-long representation of the skyline of 17th-century London floating on the River Thames is set ablaze in a dramatic retelling of September 1666. Designed by internationally acclaimed 'burn artist' David Best in collaboration with creative producers Artichoke, this fusion of art and history marks a moment that saw London devastated, only to rise from the ashes in a remarkable fashion. As well as showcasing the action from the burning sculpture, the programme contains interviews with key individuals who reflect on the process of making such an unprecedented piece of art. - Unfinished: The Making of Massive Attack
E255Unfinished: The Making of Massive AttackThe story of the creation of Massive Attack's debut album, Blue Lines, which was released 25 years ago, to critical acclaim and commercial success. How the city of Bristol found a musical identity it could claim as its own - told by the people who were there. - The Severn Bridge at 50: A High Wire Act
E256The Severn Bridge at 50: A High Wire ActThe design of the Severn Bridge earned British engineers a reputation as world leaders in bridge building. Fifty years on, the film reveals the behind-the-scenes battle to maintain the iconic structure and keep traffic flowing, suspended above the dangerous tidal currents of the River Severn. Featuring rarely seen archive of the bridge and the stories of those who helped design and - Gaga for Dada: The Original Art Rebels
E257Gaga for Dada: The Original Art RebelsTo mark the 100th anniversary of Dada, Jim Moir (aka Vic Reeves) takes us on an irreverent trip into the world of the influential avant-garde art movement. Absurd, provocative and subversive, Dada began as a response to the madness of World War I. But its radical way of looking at the world inspired generations of artists, writers and musicians, from Monty Python to punk, Bowie to Banksy. Jim restages an early Dada performance in Zurich's Cabaret Voltaire, where the movement began. And among those joining him in his playful celebration of the Dadaists and their impact are Armando Iannucci, Terry Gilliam, designer Neville Brody and artists Michael Landy and Cornelia Parker. - Obesity The Post Mortem
E261Obesity The Post MortemWe all know what fat looks like from the outside, but do we have any idea of the damage obesity is doing under our skin? In a unique TV first Obesity: The Post Mortem reveals just how dangerous too much fat is to our most vital internal organs. The programme follows a specialist pathology team as they conduct a post mortem on the body of a 17 stone woman whose body was donated to medical science. Their findings, as they dissect the body and its organs are startling, exposing the devastating impact of obesity with stunning visuals and fascinating medical fact. Morbid obesity reduces life expectancy by an average of nine years and is blamed for over 30,000 deaths in the UK every year. With 65% of us already overweight or obese, this extraordinary film is a powerful contribution to the debate about fat, food, lifestyle and how our health service will cope with our growing obesity crisis. The film was made with the backing and cooperation of some of the countries most important medical organisations and reveals in remarkable detail how a post mortem is conducted, the internal workings of the human body and the harmful effects fat can have on how our bodies function. - Brexit: A Very British Coup?
E262Brexit: A Very British Coup?On 20 February 2016, then-Prime Minister David Cameron officially set the date for the British public’s vote on whether to remain a member of the European Union. What followed was months of campaigning, debate, claims, and a political drama fought out in the press which resulted in the resignation of David Cameron and the subsequent Conservative leadership contest. But what did the British public not witness? During this historic political event BBC Two had exclusive behind-the-scenes access to document every twist and turn of the Leave campaign and the race for the Conservative leadership that followed. Filmed from the early days until the extraordinary events after the vote the unseen footage lays bare the ambition, passion, strategy and animosity that existed and propelled the Leave campaign. This is the real story of the campaign for Brexit as told by a host of key people as they lived and breathed it. The programme features a range of senior politicians and campaigners including Boris Johnson, Iain Duncan Smith, Nigel Farage and Matthew Elliott, as well as Remain campaigners Lord Heseltine, Alan Duncan and Will Straw. - The Man Who Squeezes Muscles: Searching for Purple Aki
E263The Man Who Squeezes Muscles: Searching for Purple AkiAcross Merseyside, there is a name which has been whispered by kids for decades - "Purple Aki". Part bogeyman; part urban legend - his real name is Akinwale Arobieke. What's his story? Why has he been feared for nearly 30 years? Is he, in some senses, a victim himself? Local lad, Benjamin Zand, goes in search of the truth behind one of the UK's strangest stories. - British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves
E264British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at OurselvesDocumentary celebrating the British sitcom and taking a look at the social and political context from which our favourite sitcoms grew. We enjoy a trip through the comedy archive in the company of the people who made some of the very best British sitcoms. From The Likely Lads to I'm Alan Partridge, we find out the inspiration behind some of the most-loved characters and how they reflect the times they were living in. Narrated by Rebecca Front, with commentary and insider knowledge from Steve Coogan, Richard Curtis, Beryl Vertue, James Corden, Jack Dee and top writing team Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais. - Great Welsh Writers: Roald DahlE265
Great Welsh Writers: Roald DahlRoald Dahl is thought by many to be the greatest children's writer of all time. His books have sold hundreds of millions of copies the world over and are still being made into Hollywood movies and West End musicals. But few people know that Roald Dahl was Welsh: born and raised in and around Cardiff in the 1910s and 20s. These early years were crucial for the man and the writer, helping to shape the course of Roald Dahl's entire life. This programme tells the untold story of the Roald Dahl's Welsh childhood, full of mischief and magic, but also sadness. We discover how books like Matilda and James and the Giant Peach were influenced by their author's school days. We delve into the tale of the Great Mouse Plot and get a taste of a family home described by friends as a madhouse. And we look at the darker side of Roald Dahl's young life - the loss of a sister and a father, and being sent away from the mother he loved. With contributions from Roald Dahl's wife Felicity 'Liccy' Dahl, Horrid Henry author Francesca Simon and biographer Donald Sturrock. - Capability Brown's Unfinished Garden
E266Capability Brown's Unfinished GardenCapability Brown is known as the founder of landscape design. Three hundred years ago he created some of the most magnificent landscapes in England. He travelled the length and breadth of the country, improving more than 200 of the greatest estates in the land, for some of the most influential people in the eighteenth century. But there is one plan that never got off the drawing board. His own garden. The only land he ever owned was in Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire. But he died before he could carry out any plans for his own garden. Today it is a piece of flat land, bisected by the A14 dual carriageway. Landscape designer and Gardeners' Question Time regular Bunny Guinness travels across England to some of Capability's finest landscapes - Blenheim, Burghley, Milton Abbey and Castle Ashby - to understand what he might have created. Rediscovering plans and letters, and using the latest technology, Capability Brown's unfinished garden is brought to life. - The Search for Life: The Drake EquationE268
The Search for Life: The Drake EquationFor many years our place in the universe was the subject of theologians and philosophers, not scientists, but in 1960 one man changed all that. Dr Frank Drake was one of the leading lights in the new science of radio astronomy when he did something that was not only revolutionary, but could have cost him his career. Working at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Greenback in Virginia, he pointed one of their new 25-metre radio telescopes at a star called Tau Ceti twelve light years from earth, hoping for signs of extraterrestrial intelligence. Although project Ozma resulted in silence, it did result in one of the most seminal equations in the history of science - the Drake Equation - which examined seven key elements necessary for extraterrestrial intelligence to exist, from the formation of stars to the likely length a given intelligent civilisation may survive. When Frank and his colleagues entered the figures, the equation suggested there were a staggering 50,000 civilisations capable of communicating across the galaxy. However, in the 50 years of listening that has followed, not one single bleep has been heard from extraterrestrials. So were Drake and his followers wrong and is there no life form out there capable of communicating? Drake's own calculations suggest that we would have to scan the entire radio spectrum of ten million stars to be sure of contact. The answers to those questions suggest that, far from being a one off, life may not only be common in the universe but once started will lead inevitably towards intelligent life. To find out about the equation's influence, Dallas Campbell goes on a worldwide journey to meet the scientists who have dedicated their lives to focusing on its different aspects. - Reggie Yates: Touchdown USA
E269Reggie Yates: Touchdown USAReggie Yates presents a look at America as seen through the eyes of the NFL. Reggie travels to Green Bay, Wisconsin, to meet the Green Bay Packers, visit a cheese factory and meet the superfans. The Packers are the only NFL team owned by their fans, and Reggie meets key local characters who epitomise the city's passion for the game. Travelling through the small town of Green Bay and the broader Wisconsin area, Reggie soon realises why they are considered to be the most hardcore supporters in the whole of the US. - New Town (Edinburgh)
E270New Town (Edinburgh)250 years ago, Edinburgh launched a competition to design a 'New Town' for the Scottish capital. The city desperately needed an upgrade - it was overcrowded, filthy and crumbling. With Scotland a partner in the new United Kingdom, it needed a capital to be proud of. At the same time, Edinburgh was seen as the intellectual capital of Europe - with Adam Smith, David Hume and other figures of the 'Scottish Enlightenment' creating an explosion of creative ideas that would change the world. The winning plan by James Craig was a masterpiece of Georgian city planning that reflected these Enlightenment ideas. This film tells the story of how the plan was made real - becoming the most ambitious building project in Britain, and transforming Edinburgh into the most perfect Georgian city on Earth. - Alex Jones - Fertility & MeE271
Alex Jones - Fertility & MeDocumentary. One Show presenter Alex Jones and her husband Charlie got married in 2015 and started trying for a baby. Alex was always reading headlines urging women not to delay motherhood and, at 38, she was worried she might be one of the 3.5 million people in the UK who struggle to conceive. She decided to find out more about the fertility issues so many people face, and this is her story. She investigates what pioneering science is doing to help people struggling to become pregnant, and she travels the world to see the cutting-edge techniques that could revolutionise fertility treatment in the future and give people new hope of having children. - The Trouble With My Dad
E272The Trouble With My DadTwenty one year-old Kyle Tucker was a teenager when during a family argument he found out the man that had brought him up was not his biological father. This revelation hit Kyle hard and left him feeling confused about his own identity. A number of years ago he managed to trace his father and was disappointed to discover he had been living down the road and has at least twelve other children. But Kyle became curious about the rest of his unknown family. In this programme Kyle is determined to learn about his heritage and himself. BBC Three follows his journey around the UK and beyond to track down his siblings and other extended family. So much is unknown about his blood-relations and Kyle is determined to find out why his father’s immediate family separated to move to different parts of the world. We follow Kyle as he goes on this journey of discovery and revelations. What will Kyle learn about himself by finding out about his family, and will new relatives embrace or reject him as they uncover secrets from the family’s past? - Bricks!
E273Bricks!In 1976 Carl Andre's sculpture Equivalent VIII, better known as 'The Tate Bricks', caused a national outcry. 'What a Load of Rubbish' screamed the papers, 'it's not even art'. Worse still, in the midst of a severe economic depression, the Bricks were paid for with taxpayers' money. One man was so outraged he went to the Tate Gallery and threw blue food dye all over at them. BBC Four marks the 40th anniversary with award-winning director Clare Beavan's entertaining and revealing documentary looking back at the creation of the sculpture - which consists of 120 fire bricks - and the frenzied outcry that followed. With contributions from some of the key players involved at the time, as well as contemporary artists, historians and critics, Bricks! tells the tale of what happened when modern art and public opinion came up against a brick wall. Did Carl Andre's artwork pave the way for a greater appetite for conceptual art in Britain? - Autumn: Earth's Seasonal Secrets
E274Autumn: Earth's Seasonal SecretsEvery year, spectacular seasons transform our planet. As they sweep across the world, they drive all life on earth, bringing huge opportunities and great challenges to everything. This special, narrated by Andrew Scott, celebrates the drama of Autumn and how animals and plants deal with the new challenges it brings. This is the time of year that brings the world's most spectacular transformations. With winter fast approaching, life has to get ready and that means feeding up while you can, fighting for the last chance to breed and rushing to grow up before the cold returns. While chipmunks and beavers dash to stash their winter supplies, many animals from musk oxen to beetles have to battle for mates and young gannets must face life's first dangerous challenges. - Lucy Owen: Middle-Aged Me
E275Lucy Owen: Middle-Aged MeForty-five year old Lucy Owen sets out to discover what being middle-aged in the 21st century really means. With many of us working into our seventies, when does 'middle age' really start and what's the best way to approach it? Lucy fears that it's all downhill from now on, with grey hair, wrinkles and health problems to worry about. On her journey she meets the members of Tonyrefail ladies choir, who share their secrets of surviving the menopause, and tries on a special suit that replicates the effects of ageing. She's persuaded that it's time to take her physical health seriously, and discusses the pros and cons of cosmetic procedures with Dr Maria Gonzales. There's also a shock in store when she finds out she needs to act now to protect herself from the effects of old age. - Kew's Forgotten Queen
E276Kew's Forgotten QueenEmilia Fox tells the story of how Victorian rebel Marianne North changed the face of botanical research, propelling her to the top of a male-dominated world of science and exploration. With exclusive access to Kew Gardens and Marianne's wealth of personal memoirs, letters and paintings, this is a tale of a visionary who rejected marriage and social convention for a pioneering life of conservation and adventure. - Being Black, Going Crazy?
E277Being Black, Going Crazy?Documentary exploring mental health among black people in the UK, looking into why black people are more likely to be diagnosed with a mental health condition which results in them being sectioned. Blogger and radio presenter Keith Dube, who is motivated by a personal experience of depression, wants to find out just why the black community is facing a mental health crisis. By spending time in a secure mental health unit, tapping into the thoughts and experiences of his 25,000 followers on Twitter and speaking to mental health experts and community leaders, Keith explores what might be behind the statistics. From racism to religion and social deprivation to stigma within the community, why do so many black people seem to be affected by mental health issues? - Britain's Star Men: Heroes of Astronomy
E278Britain's Star Men: Heroes of AstronomyFour British astronomers in their 70s reunite for a 50th anniversary trek in this deceptive documentary. For what begins as a nostalgic and impeccably polite road trip across America’s South West coalesces into something more profound. Each professor has his turn in the starlight – theoretician Donald, instrument maker Roger, visionary Nick and Wallace (Wal) the observer – as the film’s director Alison Rose gets them to open up about their lives, the universe, even faith. There is banter about parochial concerns such as class and career, and on the other hand explanations of quasars and irregular galaxies. It’s a powerful juxtaposition. An elegiac film amid stunning scenery, Star Men makes it easy to appreciate the beauty of our skies, while profiling four great scientific minds that are still active and enthusiastic. “Isn’t it amazing that we get paid to do this?” says Wal. But you get the nagging feeling you’re being led somewhere… and it’s somewhere, temporarily, very sad. Summary Four veteran British stargazers go on a road trip to celebrate 50 years of work and friendship, which represents a highly productive period in astronomy. Now in their 70s, they share their reflections on a life spent looking at the universe as they journey through the south-western United States, revisiting the places where they worked and the landscape they explored together as young men. - Oasis: In Their Own Words
E279Oasis: In Their Own WordsIconic, notorious, heroes, prats, legendary, diabolical: a lot can, and has been said about the Gallagher brothers and Oasis - but the harshest commentary often came from within. ‘Oasis in Their Own Words’ charts the band’s meteoric rise from a bunch of lads from Manchester to the biggest British band of their generation, as they saw it themselves. And all the Britpop hedonism and brotherly punch-ups that came along the way. - Sir Terry Wogan Remembered: Fifty Years at the BBCE280
Sir Terry Wogan Remembered: Fifty Years at the BBCAn affectionate celebration on one of Britain's best-loved broadcasters, Sir Terry Wogan, with classic moments from Blankety Blank to the Eurovision Song Contest. The programme features fond and funny memories from people who knew him well, including Graham Norton, Fearne Cotton, Dermot O'Leary, Len Goodman, Alesha Dixon, Ken Bruce, Rob Brydon and many more. - The Hip Hop World News
E281The Hip Hop World NewsEmbarking on an immersive authored journey, Rodney P reveals a fascinating alternative version of reality as seen from the perspective of a culture which was created in the black and Latino ghettos of 1970s New York, and has since evolved into a world-dominating cultural powerhouse. Whether it's chronicling life on the streets or offering a surprising twist on global events, hip-hop has given a voice to the powerless and dispossessed while also acting as a platform for ideas, opinions and sometimes controversial theories to be shared amongst its millions of followers. Looking at big issues such as power, conspiracy, education and money, Rodney meets iconic figures like Public Enemy's Chuck D, Def Jam's Russell Simmons, who created the template for the hip-hop mogul, and New York rapper Rakim, agreed by many to be the greatest MC of all time. Rodney's journey also gets to grips with contentious issues like police brutality, extreme language and the role of women in a culture some see as misogynistic, to provide a fascinating take on what the world really looks like with a hip-hop state of mind. As Rodney explores the important issues and powerful ideas through the lens of hip-hop, he learns more about the culture he himself has been part of for almost four decades while showing those who have never quite understood (and may even have dismissed it) just how surprising and rich that culture really is. - Rubble Kings
E282Rubble KingsDocumentary that tells the story of how hip-hop was vital to the truce that ended the near-apocalyptic level of gang violence in New York during the 1960s and 70s. Using interviews with hip-hop pioneers like Afrika Bambaataa (an ex-Black Spade gang leader) and Kool Herc, unseen archive footage of street gangs, and filmed over seven years, the film chronicles life during this era of gang rule, tells the story of how a few extraordinary, forgotten people did the impossible, and how their actions saved New York City and gave birth to the biggest musical genre on the planet - hip-hop. - Sir Chris Hoy: 200mph at Le Mans
E283Sir Chris Hoy: 200mph at Le MansAfter London 2012, having become the first British Olympian to win six gold medals, track cyclist Sir Chris Hoy retired. But having spent 20 years at the top of his sport, Chris isn't about to settle for a quiet life. Instead, he swaps two wheels for four to pursue his boyhood dream of competing in the world's toughest endurance motor race, the Le Mans 24 Hours. We follow Chris as he attempts to prove himself on the race track as he has in the velodrome. By early 2016, he is poised to join the highly successful Le Mans race team - Greaves Motorsport. But Chris's hopes of a podium finish are crushed when the team has to withdraw their car. With less than three months until race day, he finds a seat with a rookie team who have never raced at Le Mans before. Chris has to learn a new car, battle with its teething troubles and work with a team whose operation is a world away from British cycling's obsessive attention to detail. As Le Mans 2016 begins in torrential rain, competitors are reminded of the danger - 22 drivers have died since it began in 1923 and cars crash out with frightening regularity. Can Chris's team even make it through the 24 hours? And when technical troubles flare less than an hour into the race, there is a good chance that he won't even get on the track. Will Chris and his team fail the ultimate test of man and machine? - Stacey Dooley: Hate and Pride in OrlandoE284
Stacey Dooley: Hate and Pride in OrlandoStacey Dooley travels to Orlando in the aftermath of the Pulse Bar shootings. She attends vigils, marches and funerals to see how America responds to this latest atrocity and she’ll ask if this could be the one to finally make a difference. Stacey explores the levels of prejudice and homophobia faced daily by the LGBT community in America, levels that are often compounded if you belong to an ethnic or religious minority. With revelations that the shooter may himself have been gay, she will also try to track down and talk with gay Muslims to understand the conflict they face between their religion and their sexuality. - Hunting the Nazi Gold Train
E285Hunting the Nazi Gold TrainIn August 2015 two amateur researchers declared they had found a lost Nazi train buried in a railway cutting near Walbrzych in Silesia, southern Poland. This followed decades of local folklore that a train, loaded with gold, had vanished after leaving Wroclaw in early 1945. Dan Snow follows the treasure hunters as they embark on the hunt, while also investigating this extraordinary story that leads all the way to Adolf Hitler himself and his secret plans for this remote corner of the Third Reich during the closing months of the Second World War. - Iron Maidens: The Female FightersE286
Iron Maidens: The Female FightersFull contact medieval fighting is really a thing, who knew? Angela Scanlon narrates this quirky documentary following a group of trailblazing female fighters as they armour-up, tool-up and step-up into the medieval ring, to compete in the first women's international tournament in this phenomenal new 'sport'. Move over Iron Man, here come the Iron Maidens. - Locked in My BodyE287
Locked in My BodyImagine the terror of being fully awake but not able to communicate with the outside world. This is the living nightmare that Terry Newbury is experiencing - his life hangs in the balance. This short observational documentary tells Terry's story and his fight to communicate again. - Railway Nation - A Journey in VerseE289
Railway Nation - A Journey in VerseFollowing in the footsteps of WH Auden's classic 1936 documentary Night Mail, six of Britain's best poets take the train from London to Glasgow, discovering stories of love, loss and longing among the passengers today, and capturing the journey in verse. Maxine Peake narrates. - Reggie Yates: Life and Death in Chicago
E290Reggie Yates: Life and Death in ChicagoAgainst the backdrop of unprecedented gun violence, Reggie Yates travels to Chicago to investigate gun crime in President Obama's adopted hometown. There were 468 murders in 2015, and this year the murder rate has soared by 72 per cent. With many of the victims being young African-American men, who is to blame? Reggie hears first-hand the accusations of police brutality, but after attending the aftermath of a shooting and funeral of a young black man, he comes to realise an even bigger problem is that the majority of killings are perpetrated by young black men living in Chicago's poorest neighbourhoods. - A World Without Down's Syndrome?
E291A World Without Down's Syndrome?Documentary about Down's syndrome and the ethics of pregnancy screening fronted by Sally Phillips. This film explores the science and thinking around the proposed new screening test for Down's syndrome and its possible availability on the NHS. Driven by the experience of raising her son Olly, who has Down's syndrome, Sally explores some of the ethical implications of our national screening policy. By talking to experts in the Down's syndrome community, the world's top scientists and including people with Down's syndrome in the debate, Sally investigates a thorny subject that begs questions relevant to us all: what sort of world do we want to live in and who do we want in it? - The Incredible Story of Marie Antoinette's Watch
E292The Incredible Story of Marie Antoinette's WatchNicholas Parsons, Just a Minute host, and stalwart of the entertainment world explores his life-long enthusiasm for clocks when he goes in search of the most valuable and famous watch in the world. The so called Marie Antoinette, once the target of one of the biggest museum heists in history, was the masterpiece made by 18th-century genius Nicholas Breguet, for that doomed queen. Tracing the enthralling story of Breguet's rise to fame, Parsons visits Paris and Versailles, and the vaults of today's multimillion-pound Breguet business. Exploring the innovative and dazzling work of the master watch maker, Parsons unravels the mystery behind the creation of his most precious and most brilliant work. Parsons heads to Irsael to discover how in the 1980s the world's most expensive watch was then stolen in a daring heist, and went missing for over 20 years. Revealing a little-known side of one of our favourite TV and radio hosts, the film offers a glimpse into Parsons's own private clock collection, whilst also telling an enthralling tale of scientific invention, doomed decadence and daring robbery. - Boy George's 1970s: Save Me From Suburbia
E293Boy George's 1970s: Save Me From SuburbiaBritish pop star Boy George recalls, revisits and assesses how the 1970s moulded the person and artist he has become. This is his musical, social and sexual coming of age when he discovered the power of his own sexuality before setting about turning that persona into a pop star. Set against a backdrop of social discord, disenfranchisement and sexual repression, the seventies was also conversely the decade that revelled in colour and creative chaos, giving the world glam rock, disco and punk, and the young George O'Dowd was at the birth of them all. The documentary includes contributions from contemporaries like Martin Degville (Sigue Sigue Sputnik), Andy Polaris (Animal Nightlife), DJ Princess Julia and pop star Marilyn. This is, as George said, 'the last ever bonkers decade', and it totally and completely shaped him. - Louis Theroux - SavileE294
Louis Theroux - SavileIn light of the unmasking of Jimmy Savile as a predatory sex offender, and 15 years on from the BBC documentary When Louis Met Jimmy, Louis Theroux sets out to understand how a man who was at the centre of British entertainment and charitable fundraising for decades was able to get away with a long litany of crimes. In this reflective 75-minute film, Louis talks to some of Savile's victims and to people who worked closely with him, and re-examines moments from the original film as well as footage that has never aired before on television. - The Great Butterfly Adventure: Africa to Britain with the Painted Lady
E295The Great Butterfly Adventure: Africa to Britain with the Painted LadyThe migration of the painted lady has long fascinated scientists, artists and nature lovers alike. The longest butterfly migration on earth, it sees millions of these delicate creatures travel from the desert fringes of north Africa, across thousands of miles of land and sea, before settling in the UK. However, the migration has never truly been understood, the mysteries of the painted lady never unravelled - until now. This documentary reveals the secrets of this extraordinary phenomenon. Observed, investigated and analysed by presenter Martha Kearney and entomologist Dr James Logan, it employs groundbreaking techniques to unlock the secrets of the painted ladies. At a time when more than a third of Britain's butterfly species are classed as under threat of extinction or have already vanished, it documents the largest butterfly migration into the UK. Over the course of the butterflies' five-month quest from the Atlas Mountains to Great Britain, Martha and her companion - leading butterfly expert Constanti Stefanescu - follow them along the route, observing and investigating this breathtaking natural phenomenon. Meanwhile, back at the cutting-edge Rothamsted Research Centre in Harpenden, Dr Logan complements their adventures on the road, conducting experiments into butterfly biology and behaviour and, from our communications centre, he is able to follow the butterflies as they make their way from Morocco to Britain. This is a visceral journey with real jeopardy, a real-life detective story. We break away from the central narrative to unravel the mysteries of the painted lady via experiments including how they navigate and move between difference altitudes, and we examine their flight patterns. As well as experiments there are also standalone packages on a variety of subjects including the decline of the British butterfly and how some species are fighting back with the help of conservation groups. Butterfly Conversation's legions of butterfly spotters track - America’s Hate Preachers
E296America’s Hate PreachersDirector Hannah Livingston spends six months tracking two of America’s most radical Christian hate groups - a notorious pastor from Arizona, who has been banned from the UK and a network of preachers, who take their extremist message directly onto the streets. The film shows how American free speech laws allow these groups to spread homophobia and Islamophobia in an increasingly polarised and divided political climate. Drawing on what he claims is a literal interpretation of the bible, the pastor is opening new churches in America and claims to be influencing others by broadcasting his sermons over the internet. - Richard Parks on Everest
E297Richard Parks on EverestWhen endurance athlete Richard Parks' godfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer's it inspired him to embark on one of the most dramatic and emotional adventures of his life. Richard decides to risk his life in one of the most extreme environments on earth to explore the relationship between exercise and dementia. Richard attempts to summit Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen, undertaking a series of experiments with a team of Welsh scientists. - The Story of Skinhead with Don Letts
E298The Story of Skinhead with Don LettsDocumentary in which director and DJ Don Letts looks at a very particular and very provocative British subculture - skinhead. He explores how skinhead has become associated with street fighting, trouble on the football terraces and violent racism in the public consciousness in Britain and around the world, but reveals that its origins lie in a cultural coming together that could not be further from its tarnished image. Don shows in fascinating detail how the roots of skinhead are in a brilliant cultural collision between the young white working-class kids and their Jamaican counterparts in British inner cities, a moment of multicultural harmony. He traces the history of skinhead from the late 60s to the present, looking at the music and styles of skinhead from the reggae-influenced ska to the punk-influenced Oi. Throughout Don meets people who were committed members of various skinhead scenes, and he considers the conflicts and the contradictions that skinhead has attracted over five decades. - The Secret Life of Sue Townsend (Aged 68 3/4)
E300The Secret Life of Sue Townsend (Aged 68 3/4)Sue Townsend left school at 14 with no qualifications and in her early twenties was a single mother struggling to feed her three children. A decade later, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 was a critical and commercial smash and she had become the best-selling author of her era. As part of the BBC's Love to Read campaign, Julie Walters narrates this extraordinary story of a working-class woman who achieved literary stardom through sheer talent and an irrepressible will to write. From Adrian Mole to The Queen & I, Sue Townsend's books combine a brilliantly funny writing style with often biting satire, captivating not just a nation's readers but influencing a generation of writers and performers. A warm and witty celebration of Sue Townsend's life and writing, the story is told with the help of children from Sue's old school, her friends and family, as well as the comedy and literary stars she inspired - including Stephen Mangan, Ian Hislop, David Nicholls, Isy Suttie and Adrian Scarborough. Drawing on Sue Townsend's own archive of letters and notebooks, the film also features unseen photographs, footage and even her appointment diary, which includes poignant entries about her struggles with ill health, written in a humorous style instantly recognisable from her books. - The Greatest Tomb On Earth: Secrets of Ancient China
E301The Greatest Tomb On Earth: Secrets of Ancient ChinaFrom the depths of the greatest tomb on earth comes an epic new story that could rewrite history, revealing for the first time the true origin of one of the world's most powerful nations: China. In this landmark film, historian Dan Snow, physical anthropologist Dr Alice Roberts and scientist and explorer Dr Albert Lin investigate a series of earth-shattering discoveries at the mighty tomb guarded by the Terracotta Warriors, a site two hundred times bigger than Egypt's Valley of the Kings and the final resting place of China's first emperor. Mobilising the latest technology, delving into some of the oldest texts, enlisting world experts and employing forensic science, together the three reveal an explosive secret from the foundations of the Chinese empire. - HyperNormalisation
E302HyperNormalisationWe live in a time of great uncertainty and confusion. Events keep happening that seem inexplicable and out of control. Donald Trump, Brexit, the War in Syria, the endless migrant crisis, random bomb attacks. And those who are supposed to be in power are paralysed - they have no idea what to do. This film is the epic story of how we got to this strange place. It explains not only why these chaotic events are happening - but also why we, and our politicians, cannot understand them. It shows that what has happened is that all of us in the West - not just the politicians and the journalists and the experts, but we ourselves - have retreated into a simplified, and often completely fake version of the world. But because it is all around us we accept it as normal. But there is another world outside. Forces that politicians tried to forget and bury forty years ago - that then festered and mutated - but which are now turning on us with a vengeful fury. Piercing though the wall of our fake world. - Surviving Aberfan
E303Surviving AberfanIt’s the black-and-white photos that punch hardest at the heart. The gappy smiles, the shy freckled faces, the wonky ties, the hair ribbons of children all frozen in time, a generation gone, wiped out 50 years ago by the colliery spoil that engulfed a junior school in a south Wales valley. This admirable Testimony Films documentary talks to survivors and rescuers of the Aberfan disaster that killed 116 children and 28 adults. “My childhood ended that day,” says a man who was pulled from the filthy horror after two hours. He’s suffered depression and terrible nightmares ever since. But Aberfan, we learn, has healed itself, thanks to a community that pulled together while acknowledging its deep wounds. Summary Fifty years ago, on October 21, 1966, 116 children and 28 adults lost their lives after an avalanche of coal waste crashed into a school and the houses nearby in the South Wales mining village of Aberfan. This documentary tells the story of the worst disaster involving children in modern British history. - Aberfan: The Fight for Justice
E304Aberfan: The Fight for JusticeFifty years ago, a coal tip crashed down on a village in south Wales, killing 144 people including 116 children. Now Huw Edwards traces the story of Aberfan's decades-long battle for justice. The Aberfan disaster shocked the world. Immediately, people were demanding to know how and why it had happened. Was it a terrible accident or a preventable man-made tragedy? Within weeks, a tribunal of inquiry began hearing evidence. A cast of actors brings the tribunal to life, the script drawn from the actual evidence presented at the inquiry. Huw Edwards looks back at the testimony given. Should warnings have been heeded? Who was to blame? The publicly owned National Coal Board and the government managed to add insult to injury as they refused the demands of local people to remove the tips from above the village. Finally they gave in, but not without perpetrating another injustice on Aberfan that took decades to remedy. - Who's Spending Britain's Billions?
E305Who's Spending Britain's Billions?As Britain continues to spend less on the public sector, do we really know where our taxes are being spent? Spending on schools, hospitals and foreign aid are well debated. In this one-off documentary, Jacques Peretti looks beyond the well-known budgets to the range of projects the public know less about, from the virtual receptionists at Brent Civic Centre to the night-vision goggles being used to spy on dog walkers in Staffordshire. Peretti uncovers what is happening behind closed doors in cash-strapped Britain and finds that local councils across the UK are signing contracts with management consultancy firms who can take a percentage of any savings they find. Peretti also reveals that hundreds of the millions of taxpayers' pounds spent on these contracts are covered by confidential deals meaning very little detail is known about them. In this revealing insight, Peretti asks if the public deserve to know more about how those charged with managing Britain's billions are spending it. - No Place to Call HomeE306
No Place to Call HomeDocumentary shedding light on the work of housing officers working in the London borough of Barking and Dagenham, where a shortage of affordable homes, rising rent prices and a lack of available council housing have all contributed to an increase in the number of people facing homelessness. Drawing comparisons to the 1966 television play Cathy Come Home, which depicted a young couple's descent into poverty and homelessness, the programme explains how problems first encountered 50 years ago are resurfacing. Recorded over the course of nine months, the film details how a new generation of would-be residents are looking in vain for a place to call their own. - Pink Floyd: Beginnings 1967-1972
E307Pink Floyd: Beginnings 1967-1972Pink Floyd released their first single in 1967, and as their popularity around the world grew, they increasingly travelled outside the UK to perform live shows and make TV appearances. After The Dark Side of the Moon became a global smash, the band concentrated on the creative freedom of live performance, leaving the world of TV behind, but now, after painstaking research, tapes of those early historic appearances have been tracked down and compiled into a fascinating hour of early Pink Floyd. With frontman Syd Barrett, they perform Astronomy Domine and Jugband Blues, and after Syd's departure, Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Richard Wright and Nick Mason can be seen playing a full range of their eclectic material, from out and out pop in It Would Be So Nice, through instrumental improvisations, collaboration with choir and orchestra on Atom Heart Mother and enduring rock material like Wot's...Uh, The Deal. Beginnings 1967-1972 tracks the fascinating gestation of one of the world's most creative and heralded groups in the less well-known period that preceded the triumphs of The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here and The Wall. - Aberfan: The Green Hollow
E308Aberfan: The Green HollowA film poem to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, written by Owen Sheers and performed by a stellar cast of Wales's best-known acting talent, including Michael Sheen, Jonathan Pryce, Sian Phillips, Eve Myles and Iwan Rheon, with some contributions from the local community. - Tulisa: The Price Of Fame - UpdateE311
Tulisa: The Price Of Fame - UpdateUpdated documentary which follows Tulisa Contostavlos's life and the eventual fall from grace of her accuser Mahzer Mahmood, the self-styled Fake Sheikh. Combining self-shot diary footage with actuality, the programme shows what it is really like to be on the receiving end of a tabloid sting and its long term consequences. The film, shot over 3 years charts Tulisa's highs and her lows, her arrest, her charge, state of mind and suicide attempt and her treatment at the hands of the tabloid press as she travels to the brink of disaster before her case collapses and she finally regains her life and her reputation. Hard-hitting and harrowing, the film tells us about the nature of celebrity culture, how it feels to be a major celebrity facing public ruin and asks whether the fall of Mahzer Mahmood signifies the end of this kind of entrapment based undercover journalism. - Scotland and the Klan
E312Scotland and the KlanScotland has exported many great things to the rest of the world, and people like Neil Oliver have often celebrated the disproportionate impact of its ideas and energy on places like America. The role of Scots in shaping the concept of the American Dream is a story often told, but could Scottish settlers have also had a hand in America's racist nightmare? Neil Oliver travels over 2,000 miles to examine links between racism today in the Deep South and the Scottish settlers that first occupied it. Throughout the 18th century, hundreds of thousands of Scots emigrated to America, and some believe that it was their wariness and moral certainty that significantly shaped the south into an isolated, fearful society that easily took to slave-owning when the opportunity came. Walter Scott, the creator of a romantic vision of the 'Old Country' is blamed for reinforcing their fantasy world of Georgian gentility. When that world was threatened, the southern states opted for civil war rather than give it up. After the devastating war, attitudes in the south were hardened by defeat and fear of the now-freed slaves. When six Scottish-American former Confederate officers formed a fraternal society, clan turned to Klan. The oldest and most feared racist hate group in America - the Ku Klux Klan - was born. Now, well over 800 hate groups stalk the United States, and Neil finishes his journey by visiting the Neo-Confederate League of the South. The League advocates a return to a separate southern society run by what they call 'Anglo Celts', and Neil discovers that here Scottish-ness still abides and that attitudes don't seem to have changed much in the last 200-300 years. - Nicky and Wynton: The Making of a ConcertoE313
Nicky and Wynton: The Making of a ConcertoDocumentary exploring a unique musical collaboration between American jazz legend Wynton Marsalis and Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti. The film follows the two musicians as they embark on a journey that culminates in the creation and performance of a violin concerto written by Marsalis especially for Benedetti. The composition, which draws inspiration from the violin concerto's first formation in the Baroque era to the 21st century and African-American spiritual music, explores Nicola and Wynton's own musical heritage in Scottish folk and American jazz music respectively. The programme concludes with the world premiere of the violin concerto with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican in London. - Who Do You Blame Game For The Last Ten Years?E314
Who Do You Blame Game For The Last Ten Years?Tim McGarry looks back at the Blame Game, a BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC Radio Ulster series, over the last ten years. There're contributions from high profile fans of the show including Rory McIlroy, Tommy Bowe, Donna Traynor, Phil Jupitus, as well as featuring the first TV appearances of John Bishop and Kevin Bridges.
