
Did you know that the Victorians invented films? Not only that, but one of the first stars of the moving image was Queen Victoria! Using real footage recently restored by the BFI, this special show takes a Horribly Historical look at the Victorians’ obsession with film. We see some of Queen Vicky’s very first filmic appearances (also featuring an initially reluctant Tsar Nicholas I), and also how the Victorians became obsessed with filming everything, from their holidays abroad to strapping cameramen to the front of a moving train (using only ropes) to make ‘Phantom Ride’ films.\n\nAlong the way we also meet the Lumiere brothers (one of whom looks a lot like First Dates' Fred Sirieix), Kaiser Wilhelm II, notable Victorian actor Herbert Beerbohm Tree, and we see that the Victorians were also early adopters of Fake News. The episode ends with a show-stopping song that traces the evolution of film from the Victorians’ first forays through to the blockbusters we see in the multiplexes today.
Source: CBBC
Series 5 - Episode 10
Historical sketch show. There is a right royal squabble over who should rule medieval England.
14-01-2026
CBBC
Series 5 - Episode 7
Historical sketch show. Roman emperor Caesar Augustus reveals the lazy secret of his success, and TV's most excitable reporter, Bob Hale, explains the very complex history of WW2.
13-01-2026
CBBC
Series 5 - Episode 4
Historical sketch show. Featuring the rather eccentric Georgian philosopher Jeremy Bentham and super-rich Roman politician Crassus, who raps about his blinging lifestyle.
12-01-2026
CBBC
Specials: 'orrible Opera
Henry VIII, Queen Victoria and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart are our hosts for a special live concert as part of the BBC Proms season at London’s Royal Albert Hall, introducing ...
03-01-2026
CBBC
Sport Special
All the top sporting action from the past, including Emperor Nero and Jesse Owens singing the history of the Olympics.
02-11-2025
CBBC
Series 9: 8. Infectious Influencers
From Cleopatra’s hairdo to Elizabeth I’s flushing loo, meet history’s biggest Influencers.
10-11-2025
CBBC
Series 5 - Episode 4
Historical sketch show. Featuring the rather eccentric Georgian philosopher Jeremy Bentham and super-rich Roman politician Crassus, who raps about his blinging lifestyle.
12-01-2026
CBBC
Animated Specials: 1. Gruesome Guide To Growing Up
Life wasn’t always fun for children in the past. Horrible Histories delves into the not-so-easy lives of children throughout history, from the strict parenting of ancient ...
26-09-2025
CBBC
Series 5 - Episode 6
Historical sketch show. Queen Victoria's coronation doesn't go quite as planned, while George IV pulls out all the stops to impress his guests on Historical Come Dine With Me.
17-09-2025
CBBC
Series 9: 15. Big Bbc Birthday Bonanza
Horrible Histories celebrates 100 years of the BBC with this special episode. What was the secret of looking great on a 1930s TV show? How did the BBC try to defeat the Nazis us ...
27-11-2025
CBBC
Series 8: 10. Fierce Females
A show celebrating some of history’s greatest and most formidable females. We begin with ancient tales of the Scythians – incredible warrior women who were part of t ...
28-10-2025
CBBC
Series 11: 5. Twisted Technology
The watch! The mobile phone! The microwave! The vibrating poo platform! Thomas Edison stage diving! It’s all here as Horrible Histories takes a journey through the history ...
10-12-2025
CBBC