Documentary

Presented by Maxwell Hutchinson, this fourth programme looks at No 57 between 1902 and 1930. Design themes include the Edwardian style and Art Nouveau. The Nash family live in the house for the whole of this time, including a grown up daughter who is a seamstress and uses one of the rooms as her workspace.

Presented by Maxwell Hutchinson, this fifth programme looks at No 57 between 1930 and 1965 when the house is at its nadir. The whole area is run down and 'post war'. Interior design is not high on the agenda. But the world outside is changing with the influence of modernism, the space age and the Festival of Britain and tasters of this style creep into the house.

Presented by Maxwell Hutchinson, this last programme in the series looks at No 57 from 1969 to the present day. When John Macey bought the house in the late 1960s it was practically derelict and it was a two year labour of love to turn it back into a family home. Now the house is in one of the most desirable areas in Bristol and this programme examines what influences might affect the design choices of a contemporary family.

The President’s groundbreaking visit to China came at the start of his re-election year, and was almost a disaster for him. For the first time, the Chinese diplomat who interpreted for Nixon on the trip reveals how she and the Chinese premier intervened to save the political fortunes of a Republican president, who sold out his closest political allies to woo Chairman Mao. Nixon arrived home to cheering crowds and won an election landslide – but the Watergate scandal brought him down before he delivered his promises to China.

In 1989, 2000 demonstrators were massacred in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, provoking demands throughout the world for sanctions. However, US President George Bush was concerned about the effect on the already fragile relationship with China’s leaders. This programme for the first time provides detailed accounts of the secret meetings held between Bush’s advisors and the Chinese government to avert a potential disaster, and how the process was undermined by the “Tiananmen Hostage”, Fang Lizhi, an ardent campaigner for human rights, wanted for counter-revolutionary crimes, who was forced to seek asylum in the US embassy.

On the night of 24th March 1944, seventy-six men took part in the world famous Great Escape from Stalag Luft III in Germany.  An escape of this scale was recognised as a grave threat to national security, and Hitler was informed.  An estimated five million people prepared to take part in the largest manhunt of the war – with tragic consequences. Almost one year to the day later, seventy German POWs escaped from the high security camp in Bridgend in Wales and were tracked by a motley collection of armed soldiers, Home Guard, dogs, local children and Girl Guides.  One of the largest manhunts of the whole war was dramatic, serious and comic in turn – but not tragic.

As the Israeli forces evacuated from Southern Lebanon in 2000, after 20 long years of occupation, the battles had left a greater legacy than the emotional impact of war. When the South Lebanon Army retreated hastily, the issue of mines, laid by both sides in the conflict, was largely forgotten. The documentary speaks candidly to victims of landmines, and examines some of the trauma they face as a result. It also traces the international effort to clear these mines, and on a broader note looks at the worldwide problem of mines, the ‘ever alert soldier’ which, once planted, is so difficult to remove. The film vividly brings alive the plight of Southern Lebanon and its attempt to recover from this largely forgotten problem, one that has already taken the lives or injured over 15,000.

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel has stood proudly on the waterfront in the heart of Hong Kong for 40 years. It’s one of the best hotels in the world, but it’s more than just a hotel, it is Hong Kong, the vibrancy of the city is felt the moment you walk through the doors. Best selling author Simon Winchester looks at the part this legendary hotel has played in Hong Kong life, why so many people have an ongoing love affair with this very British Institution, tinged with the romance of China. The programme features those involved in the construction and management of the hotel, celebrities, regular guests and residents of Hong Kong, it’s a fascinating insight into a remarkable hotel.

At the end of the Second World War, ten thousand prisoners of war waited for liberation by the advancing Russian Red Army. The Nazis dashed these hopes and forced the prisoners to march out of Stalag Luft III in the dead of winter toward the centre of the collapsing Third Reich. This is an extraordinary story of endurance through the eyes of Robert Buckham of West Vancouver. Buckham was a bomber pilot and artist who produced countless sketches and watercolours of prison life, and chronicled the march itself.

From the perilous origins of Himalayan mountaineering, and the first expeditions to utilize the unique strengths of the Sherpa tribe, this fascinating film takes the viewer through the arduous training program of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and the extraordinary young women who strive to become a part of the backbone of modern-day high-altitude expeditions. Featuring Mount Everest legend Nawang Gombu, this revealing documentary examines the prestigious Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and its accomplished, although unknown, climbing instructors. The film features exclusive access to the Institute’s training grounds of the Rathong Valley in Sikkim, India.

“She was a femme fatale, she was the Mata Hari, the person we most loved to hate, or hated to love, or something like that... but in most peoples’ eyes she was a horrendous murderess.” So begins the story of Mrs Dick. Evelyn Dick was sentenced to hang for the murder of her streetcar driver husband, John Dick. She was acquitted on appeal that launched the career of Canada’s most famous criminal lawyer J. J. Robinette. Evelyn eventually served 11 years of a life sentence for the murder of her infant son whose body was found encased in cement during the investigation of her husband’s murder. Then with a new identity, she disappeared.

Dhuway is the story about the first land claim in the history of Queensland and it depicts a history of holocaust, diaspora, survival and, at last, a homecoming. Generations ago the Yiidhuwarra people were removed from their native lands. In 1993, the people presented their case to have their lands returned. The hearings were emotional and heartbreaking as three generations of loss, abuse and exploitation was recounted.

Jabe Babe - A Heightened Life explores the personal and medical experiences of 31 year old Jabe Babe, who measures 6ft 2 inches (188cm) and has a life threatening genetic condition called Marfan Syndrome. Jabe works and lives on the margins, defying society's expectations of the "normal" feminine body and sexuality.

Talking Pictures consist of two half hour portraits of two of the world's leading film directors, Sir Richard Attenborough and the controversial Ken Loach. The programmes are both searching and compelling and succeed in giving the audience a greater insight into what inspires these directors.

Talking Pictures consist of two half hour portraits of two of the world's leading film directors, Sir Richard Attenborough and the controversial Ken Loach. The programmes are both searching and compelling and succeed in giving the audience a greater insight into what inspires these directors.

This programmes traces the rise of Hungary’s most noted star, from his struggle to reach the top of the Broadway stage, to his success as Count Dracula and finally to the unfortunate typecasting that led to his demise. With Ralph Bellamy and John Carradine.

This star-studded record of the early Hollywood musicals not only traces the development of sound from the original disc, but also features many Hollywood legends, including Al Jolson, James Cagney, Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and Betty Grable.

A winner of several international awards, this programme examines the legacy of Pythagoras and Plato and their impact on the modern world, our thoughts, buildings and hierarchies. Filmed accross North America and Europe, the documentary is shot on location in the home towns of these two great historical figures.

Rollin' Through the Decades encapsulates the positive atmosphere of skateboarding and shows a true picture of its influence on our time. The film features interviews with over 100 inspirational and legendary skateboarders, photographers and film-makers. It blends historic, rare and unseen footage, videos, and photos with nostalgic sounds of the 70’s80's and 90's, and contemporary music made especially for the film.

On Labour Day Weekend, 1960, Massachusetts, State Police troopers swept through the quiet college town of Northampton and hauled 15 men off to the city jail. Three of them were professors at elite Smith College. This is the history of those three professors whose lives and careers were ruined by the hatred and bigotry of a nation, after the police discovered the homo-erotic material hidden in their homes. On the surface, it was the routing out of sexual "criminals"-pornographers. In reality it was a witch-hunt against homosexuals. The programme paints a hunting portrait of America 1960, uncovering the repression and intolerance rampant in a time of believed national prosperity and hope. We gain insight into how far the nation has come, and the distance left to travel on a rough road of equal rights.