Discover Movies

Offers audiences a unique window into a bygone era when a thrilling new invention, the motion picture camera, first captures a nation on film.

Historian Steve Humphries examines failures in policies and legislation put in place to protect youngsters from sexual abuse, and discovers radical new solutions proposed by an increasing number of child-protection experts, which challenge deep-rooted attitudes and emotional reactions to paedophiles. Senior lecturer Sarah Goode believes the most promising way to reduce the number of child-abuse cases is to encourage people to seek treatment before they target victims. Her theory is supported by an interview in this programme in which Humphries meets a man who makes an extraordinary confession on camera.

Made by an English family living in north India during the heyday of the Raj, this amateur film reveals the grandeur in which middle-class English colonials lived.

A star-studded retrospective reunites the lead cast for the first time since 2016 to rampage down memory lane revealing how the show was made, pay tribute to much-missed castmember June Whitfield, and celebrate its ground-breaking influence on female comedy.

The second of two coproductions by the British Broadcasting Corporation and the National Film Board of Canada, People of the Seal, Part 2: Eskimo Winter is compiled from some of the most vivid footage ever filmed of the life of the Netsilik Inuit in the Pelly Bay region of the Canadian Arctic. Together, the two films provide insight and understanding of a culture now almost vanished, as they show the incredible resourcefulness of the Netsilik (People of the Seal) who have adapted to one of the world's harshest environments. Part 2: Eskimo Winter shows how Inuit families gather in communities on the sea ice to harpoon seal as they come up through breating holes in the ice. Also seen is the mid-winter season, a time of intense socializing in the communal igloo, with games, contests and ceremonial activities.

A short film made by the Central Office of Information about how to cook Potatoes, with narration from Max Munden.

Cartoon Carnival tells the story of the pioneering early days of the animated art-form and chronicles one film preservationist's quest to rescue pre-sound cartoons from obscurity and screen them to new, appreciative audiences.

This one hour documentary, presented by former Olympian Jonathan Edwards, dissects the story of St Paul, and aimed to reveal the background to the story of Paul.

A documentary that brings to light the extraordinary story of the Sacred Band of Thebes – an elite military unit composed of 150 pairs of male lovers that became one of the most formidable forces of the ancient world. It delves into the history of this little-known chapter of classical antiquity through forensic archaeology, rare archival material, ancient art, and animation. It explores how the Sacred Band rose to prominence, met its tragic end, and continues to resonate in modern discussions of identity, heroism, and love.

Tells a timeless story based on Irish folklore of good versus evil, & through the media of dance & music it is understood and appreciated by every culture.

Filmed on the road during his 2022 Greatest Hit Tour, director Chris Atkins followed James Blunt across Europe and delves into James Blunt's unique backstory. From witnessing the Kosovo War, recording the biggest selling album of the '00s, enduring the backlash that followed his success, and then tweeting his way back to becoming a national treasure, this is an intimate portrait of James Blunt as never seen before – a brutally honest story of a painfully self-aware, endlessly touring musician, for whom persistence eventually prevails.

A short documentary feature with Marius Goring and Ferdy Mayne.

“My life was wasted. I was 19 when I went in… all my life’s gone. I could have been happy.” Meanwood Park Colony for mental defectives opened 1920. One man, Samuel Wormald, stalked the teenage mill girls, forced them into his car, and took them straight to Meanwood. He rounded up more than 2000 mill girls, factory workers and children in the Leeds area, who were incarcerated. This film was made as the Colony was closing, and men and women who had been incarcerated against their will for more than 40 years were being set free. Now living independent lives in the community in their old age, they tell their dreadful stories.

Rio Ferdinand a year after losing his wife to cancer as he tries to come to terms with the loss and its effects on him and his three children.

What is the most iconic moment from the Fast & Furious franchise? Sky Cinema puts the question to the public, while Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez have their say.

‘Made in Gran Canaria’ features unprecedented access to home video footage from David’s childhood years and interviews with those who influenced his early career including his parents, grandparents, former teammates David Villa, Xavi and Andres Iniesta and City manager Pep Guardiola.

A look-behind-the-scenes at a television development that could be in everyone's home in just a few years' time. Reporter Angela Rippon tells the story of CEEFAX - the BBC's latest form of broadcasting. She visits Kingswood Warren where BBC Research Department 'boffins' developed it; and looks at some of its uses: News, weather, travel, sports results, farm prices and business information.

A look on what it means to be human formatted into a three act structure of physicality, emotionality and, spirituality.

Experimental documentary following the flow of the Thames out of London to the sea.

An up close and personal look into the notorious yet underground Gathering of the Juggalos, an annual festival of music, wrestling, debauchery and kinship hosted by Insane Clown Posse & Psychopathic Records.

The Big One is an investigative documentary from director Michael Moore who goes around the country asking why big American corporations produce their product abroad where labor is cheaper while so many Americans are unemployed, losing their jobs, and would happily be hired by such companies as Nike.

The special examines the legal complaint brought against Justin Baldoni by Blake Lively, alleging he engaged in sexual misconduct on the set of his film, It Ends With Us, and hired a PR firm to engage in an online smear campaign against her to keep her quiet. Baldoni denies the allegations and has responded with a $400m counter-suit, accusing her of defamation. With the trial set for March 2026, the special examines the evidence on both sides and the response to the dispute on social media.

In a pretty English village in the stockbroker belt of Surrey lives the infamous Mr Wallace, whose hoarding habits have spread across a million pounds worth of property that used to belong to his parents. His detached bungalow, four-bedroom semi-detached house and separate double garage are all literally stuffed from floor to ceiling with newspapers and other household items. Cutting Edge is given unique access into his intriguing home, where no one has ever ventured.

Autobiographical documentary in which Ian Dury, fighting a battle with cancer to which he would later succumb, recalls his life and career. With contributions from painter Peter Blake and members of Dury's band, the Blockheads.

A short verbatim documentary that tells the story of how the Isle of Man came to decriminalise homosexual acts in 1992. The film follows the parliamentary debates around changing the law, the febrile atmosphere on the island as activists protested at Tynwald Day, the 1991 general election campaign where gay sex seemed to be on the ballot, and the police raids of public toilets where gay men would meet. The film specially explores ideas around social shame and the media as an extra-judicial mechanism for social control in small communities.

A documentary team investigates the day-to-day operation and lives of the residents at a wet house, a hostel for the homeless which allows those living there to continue drinking.

A landmark portrait of Princess Anne - the hugely popular royal who refused to follow the script. Exclusive access to the Princess and her family reveals a quick-witted mother, grandmother, Olympian and Nobel nominee who shows no sign of slowing down.

2019 is the year of Elton John, with the release of the box office hit 'Rocketman', his autobiography and his final farewell tour all eyes are on the musical genius. We take a glimpse into his incredible journey and uncover the truth behind the turbulent and eccentric life of a superstar. Find out what it took for this shy young man to become 'Rocketman'.

From shell shock in WWI to PTSD today many of those who made it home from war were left mentally scarred and traumatised. Historian Dan Snow explores the on-going mental health crisis in veterans.

The first American space station Skylab is found in pieces scattered in Western Australia. Putting these pieces back together and re-tracing the Skylab program back to its very conception reveals the cornerstone of human space exploration.

The history and development of St Andrews University, Scotland, on the occasion of its 600th anniversary, and the story of how its graduates have shaped the modern world.

Lollipop Tattoo (the sweet sounding name of a mastectomy scar) explores the creator’s surreal odyssey of tackling breast cancer. Twice. Her avatar, Eva, slips into youthful memories of seaside attractions and sunshine, which morph into something dark and corporeal as she juggles family life and illness. Rosebud, her husband, struggles to support Eva emotionally and she relies on her best friend Crystal, while their son Angelo’s needs and moods change. Eva’s mom in the US, Shortie, overcome with grief for her deceased son Dean, can’t cope. A decade later, Eva comes out the other side, having been touched both mentally and physically, but still standing.

In June 2009, a group Britain's leading actors gathered for one night only to perform a celebration of the work of Harold Pinter at the National Theatre, directed by Ian Rickson. The team who made the acclaimed Harold Pinter documentaries for BBC's Arena was there to record this unique performance.

A short film about how builders help contribute to the war effort.

The story of Sid Vicious, by those who really knew him

A year in the life of Snooker's greatest legend - It's Jimmy White as you've never seen him before! A controversial hard hitting look at the People's Champion! Featuring The Rolling Stones Ronnie Wood & Snooker Greats: Steve Davis, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, Hurricane Higgins, Ken Doherty, John Higgins, John Virgo, Cliff Thorburn, Dennis Taylor & many more! Contains Extreme Bad Language !

The story of the making of The Bell Jar, the unique, semi-autobiographical novel written by American writer Sylvia Plath (1932-63), published in February 1963, shortly before her death.

In the documentary 37 Rooz, we have a look at the life of Shapur Bakhtiar, the last prime minister of the Shah of Iran.

A filmmaker sets out to discover the life of Joyce Vincent, who died in her bedsit in North London in 2003. Her body wasn't discovered for three years, and newspaper reports offered few details of her life - not even a photograph.

Biography of Dame Margot Fonteyn.

Every year many new drugs come to market which offer hope to the sick and dying. This documentary film investigates just how far drug companies are prepared to go to get their drugs approved, what they will do to make sure they get the prices they want, and what happens when profits are put before people.

A short film directed by Paul Schrader following the story of a painting from Schrader's collection.

Documentary about one of Manchester United's most flamboyant and controversial players, known to his fans as 'Eric the King'. The French striker relives his career at Britain's biggest football team, explaining his unique style and evaluating his success.

Kirsty Wark celebrates the life and work of Scottish writer Dame Muriel Spark, one of the 20th century's most enigmatic cultural figures, on the 100th anniversary of her birth.

The story of Kurt Weill 's relationship with the American popular theatre. During his years in exile on Broadway, the composer of Mack the Knife and The Alabama Song, who personified decadent Berlin, found a new life in New York, creating such standards as September Song and Speak Low. Director Barrie Gavin describes the film as "the history of an artist ... struggling to write music which could have real meaning for the society he had just joined." Weill is remembered by the conductor Maurice Abravanel and the actor Burgess Meredith and there are extracts from several of his works.

A biopic drama-documentary about the 'King of Pop', that mixes real footage and new interviews with people around him (most notably his mother Katherine Jackson) with re-enactments of times of Michael's life until his untimely death on the 25th of June in 2009.

A creative journey into the unique mind of René Redzepi, chef and co-owner of Noma, voted best restaurant in the world four times.

Striving to build a successful life in London, Reza places an ad in a peculiar newspaper and discovers the Iranian community hidden in plain sight. Winner of the Netflix Documentary Talent Fund.

Choreographer William Forsythe suggested director Mike Figgis should join the Frankfurt Ballet company for five weeks in order to make a documentary. The film follows the creation of a new dancing piece from day one to the premiere.

The 70-minute film follows ambient pioneers The Orb as they work on their 2015 album Moonbuilding 2703 AD

Two otters, a mother and daughter, are inseparable as the cub faces the dangers of her first Scottish winter, and Mum works hard to ensure both survive. Never more than a few feet apart, cub and mum exhibit a very special relationship as the cub grows up, learning how to fish and fend for herself on the idyllic west coast of Scotland.

A behind-the-scenes documentary/tour movie of the Boosh 2006 live tour.

Documentary-drama recounting the Martian War of 1913–1917. Europe was on tenterhooks in the 2nd decade of the 20th century, everyone was expecting a Great War between the major European powers. But then, in 1913, something crashed into the forests of SW Germany. Troops were sent to investigate but were wiped out. Martian fighting machines began making their way across Western Europe and the countries of Europe combined forces to resist them. With aspects taken from ‘The War of the Worlds’ by H.G. Wells and from WWI itself, this dramatisation presents a documentary style look at events as they unfolded and the effect they had of our world today. Lots of references to real events including the mass attacks and defeats as men were thrown against machines on the Western front, the Christmas truce and the Angel of Mons, America's isolationism and late entry into the conflict, the worldwide Spanish flu epidemic that killed more people than the war, and many other things.

This documentary is constructed in two parts. Part one deals with the suppression of other ‘minority’ cultures, part two looks at the ways these cultures are fighting back. The film includes contributions from Prof. Stuart Hall (The Open University), Prof, Bikkhu Parekh (Commission for Racial Equality), Prof. Gwyn Williams (Historian/Author), Benjamin Zephaniah (Poet), teachers and children, with experiences of Gujarati, Caribbean, Creole and Welsh.

Anatomist Alice Roberts embarks on a quest to rebuild her own body from scratch, taking inspiration from the very best designs the natural world has to offer.

Compiled in 1953, this is a scrapbook-style documentary about Britain’s Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. It charts her transition from childhood to womanhood and from Princess to Queen. Footage includes the Coronation of King George VI, Her Majesty’s first broadcast, her engagement to Prince Philip and their wedding, as well as her experiences of the war captured on newsreel. With voice-overs by well known British figures, this is both an insight and a tribute to Britain’s much-loved Monarch.

Celebrate the festive season with the perfect dusting of Mary Berry's very own Christmas magic. In a one-off television treat, Mary opens her kitchen to some of TV's best-loved faces as they join her in cooking delicious party dishes especially for her Christmas party. With varying degrees of nerves, skill and determination, but tons of excitement, Alex Jones, Fearne Cotton, Darcey Bussell and Adil Ray take turns to join Mary beside her stove.

A study of heredity in man, showing how both good and bad characteristics are passed on from one generation to the next.