EARTH: THE POWER OF THE PLANET

20 Nov - 18 Dec 2007 / BBC2.

Director / Producer: Sophie Harris.

Visually impressive documentary series about the geological phenomena that have shaped our planet..

Presented by Dr. Iain Stewart

E = MC2

18 Aug 2005 / Channel 4.

Director / Producer: Gary Johnstone.

Superior drama-documentary exploring the work of the scientists and philosophers whose work contributed in some way to the evolution of Einstein's Theory of relativity. Featuring the lives of chemist Antoine Lavoisier, physicist Michael Faraday and Albert Einstein himself, as well as lesser known figures such as Emilie du Chatelet.

E = MC2 website (Channel 4).

ELIZABETH I

29 Sep - 6 Oct 2005 (2 eps / 250 mins) / Channel 4.

Writer: Nigel Williams / Director: Tom Hooper / Producer: Barney Reisz.

Magnificent historical drama, depicting the political and private intrigues of Court and Government during the latter years of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England (reigned 1558 - 1603). It focuses specifically on the Queen's personal and political relationship with her two suitors - the Earl of Leicester and the Earl of Essex. The attention to historical detail (such as sets and costumes) is outstanding and Helen Mirren gives the performance of a lifetime as Elizabeth.

With: Helen Mirren, Jeremy Irons, Hugh Dancy.

ENGLAND MY ENGLAND

Dec 1995 / Channel 4.

Writer: John Osbourne / Director: Tony Palmer.

Superb drama about the life and works of the 17th century British composer, Henry Purcell.

With Simon Callow, Michael Ball, Lucy Speed.

England,My England Website.

THE FIRST EMPEROR

1 July 2006 / Channel 4.

Director: Nic Young / Producer: Lucy Van Beek.

First-rate drama documentary about Qin Shi Huangdi, the first Emperor of China. His huge burial complex with its life-size terracotta army has become famous around the world.

With: James Pax as the Emporer.

THE FIRST WORLD WAR

2003 ? (10 x 50 mins) / Channel 4.

Commendable documentary series about World War 1 based on a book by Professor Hew Strachan.

Narrated and produced by Jonathan Lewis.

THE FIRST WORLD WAR IN COLOUR

2003 (6 x 50 mins) / Channel 5.

Very watchable history of World War 1 using computer-colorised archive footage.

Narrated by Kenneth Branagh.

FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE

1 June 2008 (60 mins) / BBC1.

Drama about the life of one of Britain's most famous heroines - the 19th century nurse and reformer who came to prominence during the Crimean war. Based on her diaries.

Starring: Laura Fraser, Michael Pennington, Roy Hudd.

Florence Nightingale (BBC).

FOOD FOR RAVENS

15 Nov 1997 (85 mins) / BBC2 (BBC Wales)

Writer/Director: Trevor Griffiths.

Acclaimed, award-winning drama about the life of Labour politician Aneurin "Nye" Bevan who was instrumental in founding the National Health Service.

With: Brian Cox, Sinead Cusack.

FRANKENSTEIN: THE TRUE STORY

6 Feb 2007 (55 mins) / Channel 5.

Exec. producer: Anna Beattie.

Documentary (dramatised but with no dialogue) about the scientific and philosophical background which inspired Mary Shelley's nightmarish gothic novel, Frankenstein.

FRED DIBNAH'S INDUSTRIAL AGE

18 Feb - 1 Apr 1999 / BBC2

Fred Dibnah brings his unique experience and knowledge to a series in which he travels around the country exploring various aspects of our industrial heritage. The focus is on visiting actual sites and seeing the original (vintage) machinery in action. The series covers mills, factories, iron and Steel production, shipbuilding, machine engineering, railways, mining, power production etc. A first rate production fronted by one of the great characters of British TV.

BBC factual - Fred Dibnah's Industrial Age.

FRED DIBNAH'S MADE IN BRITAIN

8 Mar - 24 May 2005 (12 eps) / BBC2

Traveling around Britain in a restored steam traction engine, Fred Dibnah visits the various engineering workshops which made the parts for the engine. A fascinating, and entertaining series.

BBC Fred Dibnah Website

FRED DIBNAH'S MAGNIFICENT MONUMENTS

17 Feb 2000 / BBC2

Documentary series which explores the rich architectural heritage of Britain, revealing the skillful design, engineering and craftsmanship that lies behind some of our most famous and beautiful old buildings. Includes castles, cathedrals, bridges, tunnels etc. A wonderful series buoyed along nicely by Fred Dibnah's knowledge and enthusiasm.

Magnificent Monuments (BBC factual).

THE FRENCH EXPERIENCE - PART 1 AND 2  

18 and 25 Apr 2005 (repeated several times) / BBC2 ("Learning Zone").

Intermediate French language course. Part 1 journeys around France itself, while part 2 explores life in various Francophone regions around the world from Quebec to Senegal. Part travelogue, part documentary, the French Experience documents various aspects of French-speaking life and culture and features many interviews in French with English subtitles. There is a book and CD pack to accompany this course.

BBC website - The French experience.

GALAPAGOS

30 Sep - 14 Oct 2006 (3 x 50 mins) / BBC2.

Producer: Patrick Morris / Exec. Producer: Michael Gunton.

Visually stunning documentary about the discovery, geology and biology of the Galapagos islands.

Narrated by Tilda Swinton.

GALILEO'S DAUGHTER

22 Dec 2003 / Channel 4.

Drama-documentary about the life and work of the great astronomer as revealed by his correspondence with daughter Maria.

With; SIMON CALLOW as Galileo.

GARDENER PROVOCATEUR: TRIBUTE TO CHRISTOPHER LLOYD

22 Dec 2006 / BBC2.

A profile of Garden Designer and Writer Christopher Lloyd, featuring interviews and an extensive tour of the magnificent house and gardens that he helped renovate - Great Dixter.

Presented by Alan Titchmarsh.

Great Dixter.

THE GATHERING STORM

2002 / BBC2 (rpt BBC1).

Director: Richard Loncraine.

Award-winning drama about Winston Churchill's rise from back-bench obscurity in the years leading up to the second World War, a period in which he tried to warn Parliament and the Government of the real danger posed by Hitler's military ambitions. Albert Finney gives a sterling performance.

With: Albert Finney, Vanessa Redgrave, Jim Broadbent, Linus Roache etc.

Review.

GENGHIS KHAN

25 April 2005 / BBC1

Superior Docudrama about the renowned 12-13th century Mongol leader. Shot on location with Mongolian actors and extras, the special effects and battle scenes are outstanding. The siege of Peking, in particular, is beautifully reenacted using a mix of live action and computer graphics.

Starring: Orgil Makhaan.

GEORGIAN UNDERWORLD - THE PETERLOO MASSACRE

7.30 - 9.00 PM 4 May 2003 / Channel 4.

Director: Justin Hardy / Producer: John Toba

Well crafted docudrama about the inquest held into the infamous "Peterloo massacre" of 1819; Unarmed demonstrators had been attacked by Government Dragoons in Manchester, England of whom 11 were killed and hundreds wounded. A local Public House provides the setting for a makeshift courtroom in which a succession of witnesses come forward to give evidence.

Georgian Underworld (Channel 4).

GERMAN INSIDE OUT

2002 / BBC2 (Learning Zone)

Five part series exploring various aspects of modern German life and culture. All dialogue is in German with English subtitles, while the narrative is in English. Entertaining and informative.

GLORIES OF ISLAMIC ART

28 Nov - 12 Dec 2006 (3 parts) / Channel 5.

Director: Roger Thomas / Producer: Howard Anderson.

A tour of the Islamic world taking in the art and architecture of places like Cairo and Instanbul etc.

Presented by Professor Akbar Ahmed.

GREAT BRITISH JOURNEYS

14 Aug - 2 Oct 2007 / BBC2.

Director/Producer: Michael Waterhouse.

Documentary series following in the footsteps of explorers who made journeys throughout Britain, leaving an important record of the state of the nation for posterity:

(1) Thomas Pennant, (2) William Gilpin, (3) Celia Fiennes, (4) William Cobbett, (5) Gerald of Wales (6) Daniel Defoe, (7) John Leland, (8) HV Morton.

Presented by Nicholas Crane.

Great British journeys (BBC)

THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA

1 Oct 2006 (2 hours) / Channel 4.

Excellent drama-doc about the history of the building of the Great Wall of China.

THE GREAT WAR

1964 (26 x 40 mins) / BBC.

Epic and unsurpassed documentary history of the First World War including exhaustive archive film footage and interviews with survivors.

Narrated by Sir Michael Redgrave.

The Great War (BBC).

THE GUINEA PIG CLUB

13 Aug 2005 / BBC2

Producer: Tamara Bodenham / Exec. Producer: Anne Laking.

A film about the work of legendary plastic surgeon Archibald McIndoe, whose pioneering surgery saved the lives of hundreds of severely burned British RAF pilots during World War 2. Guinea Pig Club members recall their wartime experiences and how their lives were transformed by McIndoe's revolutionary new techniques.

Narrated by Geraldine James.

BBC Guinea Pig Club website.

HAWKING

April 2004 (rpt 15 May 2005) / BBC2.

Writer: Peter Moffat / Director: Philip Martin / Producer Jessica Pope.

Cerebral Drama about the early years and work of renowned British Mathematician / Physicist, Professor Stephen Hawking.

Starring Benedict Cumberpatch.

Hawking Website (BBC).

HEAR THE SILENCE

15 Dec 2003 / Channel 4.

Involving and intelligent topical drama about a mother's fight to prove a link between autism and the MMR jab.

With Juliet Stephenson, Hugh Bonneville.

THE HEART OF THOMAS HARDY

7 Sep 2008 / BBC1.

Director / Producer: Harry Hook.

Quality docu-drama about the life and work of Thomas Hardy, one of England's most acclaimed writers and poets ("Tess of the D'Urbevilles", "Far from the Madding Crowd" etc).

Presented by Griff Rhys Jones / Readings by Geoffrey Palmer.

HEROES AND VILLAINS

23 Feb - 5 April 2008 / BBC1 & BBC2.

Impressive, big-budget series of drama-docs about the lives of six leaders who made an impact on world history:

1. Napoleon:

2. Attila the Hun: King who united the "barbarian" tribes and became the scourge of the Roman Empire. Starring Rory McCann.

3. Spartacus: Slave who led a famous armed revolt against the Romans in 79 AD. Starring Anthony Flanagan.

4. Cortes: Spanish Adventurer who, in 1519, vanquished Montezuma's Aztec empire Starring: Brian McCardle, Ramon Tikaram etc.

Hernan Cortes (BBC).

5. Richard The Lionheart: The Story of the Third Crusade against the Saracens and its defining central figure Richard I, who ruled over England for 10 years from 1189-99. His courage in battle earned him the epithet "Lionheart". Starring Steven Waddington, Alan Lucas etc.

Richard I (BBC).

6. Shogun: The story of one of the great military and political leaders of Japanese history, Tokugawa Ieyasu (16th-17th century).

THE HIDDEN STORY OF JESUS

25 Dec 2007 (approx 2 hours) / Channel 4.

Producer: David Batty

Documentary looking at events in the life of Jesus (as told in the New testament) and how these parallel the lives of other spiritual teachers such as Krishna, the Buddha etc. Underlying the apparent diversity of faiths lies some important universal truths.

Written and presented by Dr. Robert Beckford.

HINDENBURG

17 Sep 2007 / Channel 4.

Director: Sean Grundy / Producer: Victoria Matthews.

Impressive drama-documentary about the Hindenburg airship disaster of 1937, drawing on the records of the subsequent inquiry, accounts of surviving witnesses and archive newsreel.

With: Malcolm Tierney.

HISTORY

BBC2 ("BBC Learning Zone").

Outstanding Educational documentary series consisting of several topics including: (1) The First World War (2) Nazi Germany (3) Days that shook the world: Kristalnacht; Hiroshima; The Fall of the Berlin Wall. (4) The Cold War. (5) The Soviets. (6) The First Black Britons etc.

BBC Learning Zone.

HITLER'S CHILDREN

23 July - 20 Aug 2005 (5 eps) / Channel 4.

Series exploring the Nazi's sinister indoctrination of German children, both before and during the Second World War; Featuring interviews with former members of Hitler Youth as well as film footage and other archive material.

HITLER - THE RISE OF EVIL

Oct 20003 / Channel 4.

Absorbing drama focusing on both the political and private life of Adolph Hitler in his ascendancy from political agitator to leader of Nazi Germany. Robert Carlyle gives a brilliant performance in the title role.

With: Robert Carlyle, Mathew Mondine.

HOWARD GOODALL'S TWENTIETH CENTURY GREATS

2004 (4 parts) / Channel 4

A documentary series exploring the musical heritage left by great composers of the 20th century: (1) Leonard Bernstein; (2) John Lennon / Paul McCartney; (3) Cole Porter; (4) Bernard Herrmann.

Presented by Howard Goodall.

Twentieth Century Greats (Howard Goodall).

Twentieth Century Greats (Channel 4).

HOW WE BUILT BRITAIN

2 Jun - 7 July 2007 / BBC1.

Excellent "landscape and heritage" documentary series taking the viewer on a tour of some of the iconic historical buildings of the UK.

Presented by David Dimbleby.

How We Built Britain (BBC).

HOW WE USED TO LIVE

1968 - 1995 (7 series) / ITV (Yorkshire Television) / Channel 4.

Superb, award-winning drama-documentary series for schools which showed how historical events impacted on the life of various fictional Yorkshire families from 1874 to the 1960s. Teacher's notes accompanied the series.

How we used to live (WIKI).