Sir David Jason is a bona fide TV legend and one of the finest actors of his generation. As part of Channel 5's latest series of tribute documentaries, we celebrate his life and remarkable career. Narrated by Sue Johnston, we tell the real story behind his greatest TV creations, from Pop Larkin to Granville, Jack Frost to Del Boy and much more. We chronicle the superstar's early-stage career and hear what his fellow thespians really thought of the dashing young actor.
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A moving documentary made to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Penlee Lifeboat Disaster on 19 December 1981. The eight-man crew of the RNLB Solomon Browne, the lifeboat from the Penlee station in Mousehole, Cornwall, put to sea in an exceptionally severe gale to rescue the five-man crew of the MV Union Star, a cargo ship whose engines had failed two miles off the coast and which was in danger of being swept onto the rocks. The Solomon Browne was initially able to rescue the captain's family and one of the crew from Union Star but, as they attempted to rescue the captain and the remaining crewmate, radio contact with the Solomon Browne was lost and both crews perished.
Cruel Sea: The Penlee Lifeboat Disaster
On 28 February 2009 Kaing Guek Eav, alias Duch, appeared in the ECCC courtroom and made a two-hour speech where he asked for forgiveness for the appalling torture and execution of at least 13,000 prisoners at Tuol Sleng and probably more in the security camps of M-13 and M-99. Until this date, with the exception of a handful of judges, lawyers and a priest, he had not been seen or heard of for the last thirty years. How did a man, known to be kind and generous to fellow students, possibly transform himself into Comrade Duch, the Khmer Rouge's infamous executioner? This documentary revisits and searches for clues. (Storyville)
Comrade Duch: The Bookkeeper of Death
American archeologists have found a new tomb in the desert valley. This is the first find of this magnitude since King Tutankhamun's tomb was uncovered in 1922, according to Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities. Called KV 63 - it is the 63rd discovered since the valley was first mapped - the new, intact tomb was found just 16 feet away from King Tut's resting place. A team of archeologists led by Otto Schaden discovered the tomb by accident while conducting "routine digs" on the nearby tomb of King Amenmesses, a 19th Dynasty pharaoh. Explore the wonders of the magnificent lost era.
Egypt's New Tomb Revealed
A mini-series which follows the history of atheism.
Brief History of Disbelief
Contemporary news coverage of the William Hartnell era is examined in this new documentary presented by Mary Tamm.
Tomorrow's Times: The First Doctor
Poignant postwar appeal for Britain’s Jewry to support orphaned Jewish children rescued from Europe.
Chief Rabbi's Emergency Council
Dan Cruickshank returns to his childhood home of Warsaw for the first time in almost 60 years. In a personal and moving film, he recalls his boyhood memories to explore the memories of the city and the memories of its people. No city in Europe suffered so much destruction in the Second World War, no city rose up so heroically from the ashes. The Nazis had razed Warsaw to the ground, but after the war the people fought hard to bring their city back from the dead in one of the greatest reconstruction jobs in history. As a boy, Cruickshank lived in the rebuilt old town and it inspired his love of architecture and made him the man he is today.
Dan Cruickshank: Resurrecting History: Warsaw
Philosopher and heart transplant recipient Jean-Luc Nancy meditates on the history and integrity of bodies in a number of visual and literary passages exploring his onscreen presence, a surgical organ in search of a body and an unaccounted for, displaced invertebrate at sea. Outlandish is a journey between shores and environments, the touching of and proximity between bodies, the vanishing and appearance of crew, dimensions of form and, above all, our relations with strange foreign bodies.
Outlandish: Strange Foreign Bodies
Berlin is a place that is indispensable to the imagination, a city where history ticks all the boxes. The longest of all the helter-skelter rides that Berliners have taken through the playground of history ended in 1989 when the Berlin Wall shattered into a million souvenirs. Hundreds of people, mainly young, were killed there trying to escape to the West. The people who built the Wall thought they were building a brave new socialist world. But their dream turned into a nightmare as over time the Wall poisoned, corrupted and brutalized the little world it encircled. In The Secret Life of the Berlin Wall, the dreams and nightmares come dramatically back to life as the spies, informers, double agents and interrogators of Cold War Berlin weave their nervy spells of double lives and double dealing.
The Secret Life of the Berlin Wall
Most movie fans know that the first filmmakers liked to shoot trains entering stations. This example by Sussex film pioneer George Albert Smith illustrates why. The train's rush towards the audience brings movement and visual drama. The flurry of human activity offers plenty for the audience to engage with - who are these people and where are they going? And the time pressure exerted by the fact that the train must soon depart adds narrative tension - will everyone get on and off in time?
Train Entering Hove Station
This documentary explores the lesser known people of the UK skate scene - not pros, not celebs, just skaters. Shining a light on the skate community and the relationship that comes with skating, this film has one goal in mind - to inspire people to SEND IT!
Send It
Kirsty Young hosts coverage of beacons being lit around the UK and Commonwealth to celebrate the platinum jubilee of Britain’s longest serving monarch. Carol Kirkwood, Gethin Jones and Holly Hamilton report from events taking place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and Jermaine Jenas is outside Buckingham Palace, where senior members of the royal family will light the principal beacon. Celebrity guests join Kirsty to share their memories of meeting the Queen. The programme also reflects on the celebrations that took place earlier in the day, including an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at EastEnders and the pomp and ceremony of Trooping the Colour with its extended flypast.
Platinum Beacons: Lighting up the Jubilee
A look at the arguments for and against building bypasses, and their effects on small towns and villages.
Look at Life: The Village Sleeps Again
In this intensely personal documentary, Georgie Wileman shares with us the challenges of her years-long struggle with endometriosis, a most nebulous chronic illness. As part of her healing, Georgie turns her camera on fellow sufferers, finding beauty in their collective experience.
This Is Endometriosis
Comedian, actor and national treasure, Billy Connolly, travels to the wilds of Arctic Canada to spend quality time by himself, with just his thoughts and camera for company.
Billy Connolly: A Scot in the Arctic
The Invisible Subtitler is an independent documentary about the use of subtitles in cinema and the life of subtitlers themselves, focusing on the economic issues faced by the subtitlers and how they are currently invisible in the globalized business of the film industry.
The Invisible Subtitler
A Forest
This humorous and thought-provoking film documents the residents of a South Asian home for the elderly in Britain. Director Gurinder Chadha assists the residents in directing their own video. The result is an examination of politics, ageism, and cross-cultural communication in contemporary British society. Interview subjects range from people on the street to Members of Parliament.
Acting Our Age
The year is 2020 and the Amiga computer is 35 years old and going strong. We look at new developments and interview Amigans worldwide in this feature packed documentary.
Amiga: Alive and Kicking
Humankind has always dreamt of the night sky. Of the infinite freedom offered by the black void, and of the strong, shining beacon inviting us to ascend. This is a story, a history of the events that led up to our conquest of space, and the consequences throughout wider humanity. The film is a collage. Of genres, documentary and comedy. Of media, drawing from painting and film. Of films, cannibalising all film history. Of truth, both objective and subjective. Watch the small steps and let your mind take a giant leap.
From the Earth to the Moon
An animated documentary short made by people with autism.
A Is for Autism
A profile of composer Steve Reich, a leading creator of stripped-down, "minimal" music. The program explores how Reich's music eventually became accessible to the musical audience at large. Included are interviews with the composer himself, and contemporaries, and also performances of some of his works.
Steve Reich: A New Musical Language
Bellend Productions'(TM) 1X Nominated Documentary "The Man The Myth The Bellend" Directed by Rhys Walkington is the first ever Bellend Productions(TM) Film and is a documentary about the Life of "The Man The Myth The Bellend."
The Man The Myth The Bellend
An overview of one of the greatest disasters of the first World War WWI - the Dardanelles Campaign at Gallipoli, Turkey.
Gallipoli - The Dardenelles Campaign
Documentary focusing on the Japanese Godzilla, featuring interviews with such people as Director Jun Fukuda, the wide of the late Ishiro Honda and Alex Cox. This documentary incorporates footage from rare shows like "Ultra Q" and films like "King Kong Escapes".
Godzilla, King of the Monsters
Abandoned Goods is an essay film exploring the journey of one of Britain’s major collections of Asylum Art containing about 5,500 objects (paintings, drawings, ceramics, sculptures and works on stone, flint and bone) created between 1946 and 1981, by about 140 people compelled to live in the Netherne psychiatric hospital in South London. Blending archive, reconstruction, animation, 35mm rostrum, and observational photography, the film explores the transformation of these objects from clinical material to revered art objects examining the lives of the creators and the changing contexts in which the objects were produced and displayed.
Abandoned Goods
Documentary looking at Orson Welles and the production of the film CITIZEN KANE fifty years ago, considering the furore that accompanied it and the real life press baron William Randolph Hearst upon whom Kane is based, and his efforts to halt the film, destroy the negative and persecution of people involved with its production and showing. It includes BBC interviews with Welles made in 1960 and 1982, and film historian Robert Carringer looks at the scenes that never made it to the screen. American film critic Pauline Kael also analyses the film's enduring appeal. Extracts from "The RKO Story" (producer: Rosemary Wilton) and "Yesterday's Whitness" (producers: Christopher Cook and Stephen Peet).
The Complete 'Citizen Kane'
A tapestry of colour and movement made from twelve reels of all the oddbits, fragments and diary films compiled between 1972 and 1983 that didn’t quite fit into a finished film.
It Happened by Chance
Documentary about the life and career of Elvis Presley produced for Sky Arts. Includes rarely seen clips and photos from throughout Elvis' career as well as comments from music historians and musicians, songwriters, producers, actors, etc. who worked with him. Narrated by producer/director David Upshal.
The Seven Ages of Elvis
Scotty Moore is joined by some of the world's greatest guitarists in this concert honoring Elvis Presley. Moore, the King's first guitarist, leads this stellar tribute featuring jams by Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Mark Knopfler, Bill Wyman, Ron Wood, Steve Gibbons, Mike Sanchez, Albert Lee and Paul Ansell. Held in 2004 at London's Abbey Road Studios, the concert showcases 27 Elvis classics. Extras include interviews and rehearsal footage.
Scotty Moore & Friends: A Tribute to the King
The courtship rituals of animals and plants are compared to those of contemporary society, with educational and frequently humorous results.
The Mystery of Marriage
Huw Stephens presents an exciting selection of short films from emerging artists and film-makers from across the UK. Topics are fresh, varied and thought-provoking, including a behind-the-scenes look at a zoo closing for the night, an honest account of farming the land, and a powerful love letter from a son to a mother who has cancer. Expect to be moved and challenged by these short dramas, observations and dance, made by a new generation of storytellers. Yew; Echdo; King of the Pit; Two B or Not Two B; Lucky House; Everything Is Fine; The Jacket; Cages; It's Always Been; Mary Lost Her Battle; Between the Dog and the Wolf; From His Perspective
Screengrabbed Too: BBC Introducing Arts
The extraordinary story of how Jürgen Klopp became the savior of Liverpool Football Club and one of the most admired football managers in the world.
Jürgen Klopp: Germany's Greatest Export
A documentary on the making of the film Jinnah (1998), and the trials and tribulations faced by a British production team.
Dare To Dream: The Making of Jinnah
Care to join us for a visit to the most haunted churches in the whole of England? These doomed souls lust for the night when they can bring to fruition their true darkness. Paranormal expert, Christopher Halton, takes us on a journey few will forget.
Church of the Dead
Follows John Cale, a Welsh musician and producer, who founded the legendary 60s and 70s NY rock band - the Velvet Underground, with Lou Reed. Cale delved into other mainstream and experimental music genres as well.
John Cale: An Exploration of His Life & Music
May Whitley throws Charles Cawkell about using jujitsu techniques.
The Weaker Sex! (Sayest Thou!)
Hidden City of the Incas
Le tour du monde en 46 heures
Chef Mark Hix describes the history and importance of salt.
Mark Hix on Salt
A documentary about the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, responsible for creating some of the most memorable television and radio music in British popular culture, including "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" and Doctor Who (1963).
The Alchemists of Sound
Temptation of Influence is a filmic collage and an essay exploring how architectural ideas are passed down, reinterpreted and – inevitably – misread across generations. Centred on Irish architect Shane de Blacam, it begins in his Dublin study, where Palladio’s plates frame Louis Kahn’s sketches. From Inishmaan to Rome, from Veneto to New Haven, the film follows a path of conversations, buildings and landscapes – tracing the uncertain mechanics of architectural inheritance. Contributors include Kenneth Frampton, Níall McLaughlin, Sheila O’Donnell and others.
Temptation of Influence
A look at the merchandising opportunities presented by the popularity of the Daleks.
Daleks! Beyond the Screen
Amateur footage of Delhi and Jaipur, from a military review to an atmospheric torchlit procession - and some armour-plated elephants.
Delhi - Jubilee
American Express
A river symphony and an early example of stereoscopic film made about the River Thames.
The Distant Thames
Miriam Margolyes is one of Britain’s best loved and most provocative actresses. Across her eclectic career, she has played scene-stealing turns in Blackadder, voiced some of our most well-known adverts and found fame internationally as Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films.
imagine... Miriam Margolyes: Up for Grabs
Ben Robinson retraces the dramatic last days of King John, England's most disastrous monarch, and uncovers the legend of his lost treasure. Ten days took King John from ruler of an empire to sudden death, and left the kingdom in ruins. John is famous for the creation of Magna Carta, which inspired our modern democracy. Ben follows in the footsteps of the King's epic last journey, from the treacherous marshes of East Anglia, through Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, to his final resting place in Worcester. He is joined by medieval historian professor Stephen Church. Together they examine the truth behind the legend that has lived on for 800 years. Did the crown jewels really end up in the mud of the Wash? Was the King poisoned? Does he deserve his reputation as our most disastrous monarch? Thanks to unique documents, we can tell this epic tale in the King's own words.
The Last Journey of the Magna Carta King
Documentary detailing the career of The Carpenters from their formative years through to specially shot footage of Richard Carpenter in the recording studio today. The film includes interviews with Richard Carpenter, Burt Bacharach, Herb Alpert, Petula Clark, Damon Gough, Kim Gordon and Dionne Warwick Rare archive includes the wedding footage of Karen walking down the isle. —Anonymous
Close to You: The Story of the Carpenters
Hackney-born Kapadia combines epic aerial images and the voices of Londoners to chart the city's turbulent yet inspiring journey from 2005 to the 2012 Olympics.
The Odyssey
In this revealing documentary, Ken McMullen creates an elegant portrait of artist and filmmaker Derek Jarman, based on an interview conducted by John Cartwright. The questions are unobtrusive, allowing Jarman to reflect on his major films. Despite the debilitating effects of serious illness, we see an artist with his inner vision unimpaired; still humorous, self effacing and disarmingly charming.
There We Are John...
What is the future of the controversial relationship of Jews and Arabs in Israel and the West Bank? How do Israelis see the issues, perceive what is happening to their country and themselves, and view the media which brings them distressing news about the effects of an extended occupation? This film draws particularly on the testimony of Rafik Halabi, an Israeli Arab journalist who has covered this beat for Israel Television, and who is the only Arab working in the Hebrew section of Israeli TV news.
Between the River and the Sea
Oral history project exploring the history of London's holiday campers. From the 1930s to the 1980s London’s workers increasingly visited holiday camps such as Pontins and Butlins, or run by trade unions and other social groups. It became a tradition for generations of families - a highlight of the year for all ages.
Hello Campers!
Grace Brothers shut up shop over thirty years ago but for one night only we are reopening that infamous department store, climbing into the lift and going up to celebrate everything we love about Britain's brashest bawdiest sitcom, Are You Being Served?. Featuring side-splitting clips and behind the scenes footage, prepare to have your ribs well and truly tickled as we pay tribute to the true-blue sitcom phenomenon that is Are You Being Served?
We Love Are You Being Served?
Our bodies store memories. The body does not forget. A childhood in Damascus, OCD, the revolution, falling in love with a woman. My body remembers, it keeps the trauma. And after all the losses, I had to start listening to my body.
Let My Body Speak
Documentary showing the 1966 Le Mans 24 hour endurance race.
This Time Tomorrow
Just 40 years ago it was illegal to be gay in Scotland, now the country is a leader in LGBTQ+ rights – and Glasgow is home to a thriving drag scene. This documentary takes a glimpse behind the make-up, wigs and corsets to find out what it takes to live a life in drag, why people do it and the daily battles drag queens still face, following three queens at different stages in their drag careers. Barbara La Bush, the self-proclaimed ‘oldest queen in Glasgow’, represents traditional end-of-the-pier drag. She must come to terms with ailing health and the insecurity of a working life spent on the clubs and pubs circuit. Lawrence Chaney, part of the Instagram generation of highly looks-focused performers, seeks approval from a mainstream culture that is out of her comfort zone. And new queen Voss must battle the prejudices of a job in the merchant navy as well as gain parental acceptance.
Mother Tuckers: Drag Queens of Glasgow
American television programming dominates around the world at the expense of regional cultural voices.
Distress Signals
British Telecom documentary about the past and future of telephone exchanges and switches.