Discoveries from United Kingdom World Cinema

A woman is held for ransom by a bitter past acquaintance who threatens to disclose a secret that could destroy her.

In Paris a leading theatre impresario is murdered on opening night, shortly after replacing his leading lady. A police Inspector in the audience takes over the investigation. The film was shot at Elstree Studios. It was a close remake of the 1937 Austrian film Premiere and re-used a number of musical scenes from the original which were dubbed into English.

In 1936, Victor H. Green (1892-1960) published The Negro Motorist Green Book, a book that was both a travel guide and a survival manual, to help African-Americans navigate safe those regions of the United States where segregation and Jim Crow laws were disgracefully applied.

Experience a captivating collection of five award-winning gay short films, each celebrated for their brilliance, artistry, and storytelling. These exceptional works represent the very best in gay cinema.

Will he make it home ... or is this the end of the road? One of the most recognisable figures in British comedy, John Cleese's career spans six decades - from his early days with the Cambridge Footlights to co-founding Monty Python, co-creating Fawlty Towers, and writing and starring in the Oscar-nominated “A Fish Called Wanda”. His unique brand of black humour has made him a global icon and intergalactic treasure.

When an over zealous scientist pushes his experiments with string theory too far, his brane explodes. That's "brane", not "brain", meaning someone has to sort out the mess he has created. Corey Harlan is sent in – kicking and screaming – to find the heart of the brane and its creator.

Described by Bono as 'the Noel Coward of our generation’, the singer and songwriter Kirsty MacColl would have turned 65 this year had her life not been tragically cut short in December 2000. Signed at the age of just 19 after being the backing singer for a failed punk band, Kirsty went on to write and record songs that spanned genres, including rockabilly, pop and South American. She had hits like A New England and Days and sang a key part in one of the nation’s favourite Christmas songs, Fairytale of New York. Respected by those who worked alongside her, including Billy Bragg, Johnny Marr, Jools Holland and many others, she has left a legacy that is still valued today. This programme brings together performances that highlight the wit and intelligence of this unique performer

Hornblower and the other officers of the Renown must return to Jamaica to face a court-martial and possible execution for their actions in relieving their unstable captain.

Joining Oscar-winning producer Jeremy Thomas on his annual pilgrimage to the Cannes Film Festival, filmmaker Mark Cousins gives an intimate glimpse into the life of the legendary icon behind some of the most controversial and acclaimed films of all time.

A dramatization of the circumstances surrounding the murder of Carl Bridgewater and the subsequent trial and imprisonment of four men.

A passionate manager is torn apart between loyalty to his son, a dodgy football agent, and his hometown club. This football drama gives you insight to the dark side of the game.

Jefferson Steel, a washed-up Hollywood action star, is desperate to revive his flagging career. When his sleazy agent signs him up for what he believes is a high-profile Royal Shakespeare Company production of King Lear at Stratford upon Avon, Steel thinks he has finally landed the plum role he has been waiting for. However, he soon discovers that he has been tricked into joining an amateur dramatics group for a charity production.

A young man becomes infatuated with the exotic Lady Pitts whose much older husband is not pleased.

At the beginning of the 20th century, a young servant provokes an independent Irish farm community by her relationship with two brothers. Pregnant, she refuses to reveal the name of the father.

When Ravi meets Sukhi, he wants to settle down and have a 'normal' life. But his best mate Jay has other plans and soon he's dragged back to the reality of the streets.

The owner of a dangerous music venue discusses and showcases his work in a news report from a culturally dystopian future.

Murder victims are being found with the hearts cut out. A police detective is assigned to find and stop the killer. Originally an episode of British horror anthology TV series, Hammer House of Horror, that later received a feature release in the United States.

Jailed for his role in a gang heist and ditched by its female leader (Jayne Mansfield), a widower (Anthony Quayle) decides to keep the loot.

A romantic comedy set in the world of battle re-enactments, about an irresponsible guy who has to shape up in order to win back his wife.

When the British government orders the assassination of an Air Ministry official suspected of leaking top secret intel, their top assassin assigned to the job discovers there may be more to the hit than meets the eye.

To fight crime, a new hero is created but there are a few small glitches to iron out.

After precipitating the death of a tenant with whom he has been feuding, Squire Fairfield brings the dead man's young daughter to live in Wyvern Manor. Alice grows up thinking the squire is her kind benefactor, and falls in love with one of his two sons.

An American realtor living in England is dissatisfied with what he believes to be his humdrum life. One weekend while his wife is out of town, he gives a ride to a woman he sees stranded on the road. One thing leads to another, and he soon finds himself enmeshed in a plot involving a diamond robbery, gangsters and murder.

A woman who lives in Spain has trouble convincing anybody that a complete stranger has taken her dead brother's identity.

Set against the backdrop of the infamous Theatre Grand Guignol the story revolves around iconic actress Paula Maxa - the most famous of the Grand Guignol's leading ladies and the titular Most Assassinated Woman, who was graphically slain on stage multiple times a day.

Teenage boy Tom lives with his single mum in a flat in South London. Into the flat below moves Steve, an anti-social former Rock God who faked his death 8 years ago. Tom agrees not to reveal his secret on condition that he teaches him the dark arts of Rock Guitar.

Jean Boucheron the cat burglar is the darling of the Montmartre whores--and catches the eye of slumming socialite Zelia de Chaumont, who decides to "reform" him. A complication is his lovely young ward Odile... murder and a grand courtoom scene ensue.

The incompetent Richard II is deposed by Henry Bolingbroke and undergoes a crisis of identity once he is no longer king.

A BAFTA award nominated drama.

In rural Northern Ireland, following the untimely death of their mother, a young man with Down syndrome and his estranged brother discover her unfulfilled bucket list.

On January 30th, 1972, the British Army shot dead thirteen unarmed civilians taking part in a civil rights march in Derry. At the subsequent Tribunal of Inquiry Lord Chief Justice Widgery exonerated the soldiers and blighted the reputations of those who were killed and wounded by describing them as gunmen and bombers. In 1998, in a move that was widely seen as significant in sealing the Northern Ireland peace process, Prime Minister Tony Blair announced a new Tribunal of Inquiry to be led by Lord Saville of Newdigate. This highly personal documentary, made by Margo Harkin who was witness to the events, follows the 6-year long search for the truth at the second Inquiry until its momentous conclusion on June 15th 2010 when the report was finally published.'

Mercenaries leads from Kruger seize an entire city, and one man sets out to stop them.

An aimless young man, Johnny, is sent prison. He entrusts his beloved dog, Evie, to the care of his former lover and best friend, Frank. When he gets out of prison, he has to face difficulties at home. Added to this, is the fact that he may have to give up Evie to Frank.

Stanley Windrush has to interrupt his university education when he is called up towards the end of the war. He quickly proves himself not to be officer material, but befriends wily Private Percival Cox who knows exactly how all the scams work in the confused world of the British Army. And Stanley's brigadier War Office uncle seems to be up to something more than a bit shady too - and they are both soon working for him, behind the enemy lines.

In the self-proclaimed ‘Pumpkin Capital of the World’, no-nonsense curmudgeonly farmer Dinah Little takes in her estranged niece Charlie, who decides to enter the local pumpkin growing competition where she and the other growers face fierce competition, sabotage, and a genetically engineered rival.

The story of The Beatles' last song featuring exclusive footage and commentary.

Follow the exploits of taciturn hero No Name and his stereotypical Indian side-kick Running Sore as they search for the nefarious villain The Squint.

A supernatural love story focusing on a successful entrepreneur, Peter Brisco, who encounters his true love, Katy, but then loses her in a tragic accident. He seeks solace on Life Line, a mysterious chat line for the bereaved.

When Mr. Whicher, a retired policeman, helps a country lady to find her niece, he is drawn into a disturbing case of murder which brings him up against wealthy and powerful figures and throws him into conflict with his former police colleagues.

A 40-year-old writer returns to his family house where he was raised and that he escaped after half a lifetime - to face his brother who stayed instead, inherited their family bakery and married the woman who they both loved.

When a beautiful young woman suddenly offers inebriated Casey Morrow a lot of money for a quick and easy job, he doesn't ask too many questions. But when the girl's father is found murdered the following day and Morrow's coat is soaked with blood, he must unravel the mystery to clear his name.

An aspiring actress, whose sugar-coated appearance belies her ruthless drive, worms herself into the life of an aging star and schemes to replace her on the stage as the star of a new play.

A seedy London promoter turns a naive, working-class teenager into a pop singing sensation.

A princess is determined to restore her homeland's throne to its rightful heir, a young prince with whom she falls in love.

In a small Russian town at the turn of the century, three sisters (Olga, Irina, and Masha) and their brother Andrei live but dream daily of their return to their former home in Moscow, where life is charming and stimulating meaningful. But for now they exist in a malaise of dissatisfaction. Soldiers from the local military post provide them some companionship and society, but nothing can suffice to replace Moscow in their hopes. Andrei marries a provincial girl, Natasha, and begins to settle into a life of much less meaning than he had hoped. Natasha begins to run the family her way. Masha, though married, yearns for the sophisticated life and begins a dalliance with Vershinin, an army officer with a sick and suicidal wife. Even Irina, the freshest, most optimistic of the sisters, begins to waver in her dreams until, finally, tragedy strikes.

Vince is a writer who suddenly decides to visit his old college friend Matt (who knows more than a bit about map-reading) to join him on an expedition. They both set off to walk the Roman road from Chichester to London, but it doesn't take long for it to become apparent that they're being chased by a mystery man in a fast car. It seems Vince has something in his backpack that someone wants very badly indeed.

Author-explorer Reggie Blake takes an unorthodox approach to his craft, apparently finding inspiration in the adventures suggested by his agent Charles Lunton; it matters little that most of his experiences are wildly embellished or even entirely fictitious...

A rich but disliked elderly man invites his relatives to a family reunion at his home. Once the gathering is complete, he announces enigmatically that he intends to change his will before he dies. Before he can do this, he is murdered. His niece (Gynt), a detective story writer, has to put her theories into practice by solving a real-life murder mystery.

When Fireman Sam performs a super-heroic rescue, he is awarded a special bravery medal and offered a new job in Newtown by visiting Chief Fire Officer Boyce. Meanwhile, a Pontypandy Pioneer Scouts camping trip, results in a forest fire that threatens to engulf Pontypandy, forcing everyone to prepare to evacuate ! Will Fireman Sam leave his beloved town, and will this be the end of Pontypandy ?

Two friends driving in the London to Brighton vintage car rally bet on which of them will be the first to arrive back home.

This BBC historical drama stars James Purefoy as Beau Brummell, the original sharp-dressed dandy of 18th-century London. A socialite responsible for inventing the modern suit, Brummell befriends and restyles Prince Regent of Wales.

A slave, a spy, a city under siege and a choice to be made that will change their world forever.

American scientist Dr. Frank Smith is brought to Britain to help the C.I.A. There is a defecting East block scientist they want him to debrief. The commies are less than amused and set Dr. Smith up for a murder.

Jim is a young man from Essex who moves to Soho with dreams of fame and fortune. When he joins a group of luxury male escorts, he finds himself embarking on a psychedelic journey of decadence.

Mr. Moto goes undercover to find out who has been blowing up oil wells and trying to gain total control of all the oil leases from a petroleum-rich Middle Eastern country.

Men from Scotland Yard and military intelligence build a dossier on a sabotage ring.

Young, handsome and alone in London at the start of a great career. But will Sunil's luck hold out against the seductions of pretty girls, the wiles of con-men and a hundred temptations of the great city?

Simon Bird, star of Friday Night Dinner and The Inbetweeners, makes his stand-up special debut. Recorded during lockdown in an empty theatre, he tackles the UK's response to the coronavirus pandemic.