Once upon a time in the cinema, about one fifth of all Hollywood releases were cowboy films, and the Western dominated so much that it seemed that every major star would pull on a Stetson, saddle up and - if they were lucky - ride off into the sunset. In this episode of Talking Pictures, Sylvia Syms looks back through the BBC’s archives to tell the story of what is perhaps cinema’s most enduring and most visual genre. It’s a tale covering the golden age of the 1940s and 50s, the European influence of the spaghetti westerns, and the stars that keep the western alive and popular even today, told through classic interviews with some of the biggest names to ever draw a six-shooter, including Gary Cooper, James Stewart, Yul Brynner, Paul Newman and, of course, the two giants of the genre, John Wayne and Clint Eastwood.
Source: BBC 2
Laurence Olivier
Sylvia Syms looks back on the life of Laurence Olivier, perhaps Britain's greatest actor, using rare material from the BBC archives to tell the story of his distinguished career.
09-03-2024
BBC 2
Judi Dench
Sylvia Syms presents rarely seen footage from the BBC archives that explores the life and career of one of Britain's best-loved actors, Dame Judi Dench.
27-01-2024
BBC 2
Dustin Hoffman
When Dustin Hoffman first told his family he wanted to act, the response was: 'You can’t, you’re not good-looking enough.' Despite that initial response, Hoffman wen ...
04-01-2024
BBC 2
Glenda Jackson
Celia Imrie tells the story of Glenda Jackson, one of Britain’s greatest-ever acting talents and a double Oscar winner, who famously turned her back on her hugely successf ...
30-12-2023
BBC 2
Christmas Classics
Celia Imrie unwraps a selection of the very best Christmas movies ever made and looks at why films are such an important part of the festive ritual. From ‘It’s A Won ...
24-12-2023
BBC 2
Marvellous Musicals
Celia Imrie celebrates the cinema’s marvellous musicals, venturing back through the BBC’s archives to look at film’s most joyous and arguably enduring genre.\n ...
09-12-2023
BBC 2
Bette Davis
A look back at television appearances made over the years by Hollywood legend Bette Davis, capturing the milestones of her life and career. Narrated by Sylvia Syms.
19-11-2023
BBC 2
Jane Fonda
As double-Oscar winner Jane Fonda approaches her 80th birthday, Sylvia Syms explores the BBC archives for a look back at the life of one of Hollywood's most successful and contr ...
06-04-2020
BBC 2
Paul Newman
An examination of the life of actor Paul Newman, using rarely seen interviews from the BBC archives to tell the story of a career that made him one of Hollywood's greatest stars.
12-11-2019
BBC 2
Robert Redford
The career of Robert Redford is examined in this exploration of the BBC archives, which includes rarely-seen interviews. Narrated by Sylvia Syms.
16-11-2023
BBC 2
Bette And Joan
Sylvia Syms looks through the BBC archives to tell the story of one of Hollywood's greatest ever feuds - the rivalry between legendary actresses Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. I ...
14-09-2023
BBC 2
Christmas Classics
Celia Imrie unwraps a selection of the very best Christmas movies ever made and looks at why films are such an important part of the festive ritual. From ‘It’s A Won ...
24-12-2023
BBC 2
Series 2: 6. Kenneth More
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by BAFTA-winning actor Kenneth More, with interviews from the archive and classic clips capturing the mileston ...
01-11-2020
BBC 2
War Stories
Celia Imrie takes us on a journey through the BBC’s archives for an in-depth look at the continuing power and importance of war films. It’s an exploration which take ...
03-01-2022
BBC 2
Marvellous Musicals
Celia Imrie celebrates the cinema’s marvellous musicals, venturing back through the BBC’s archives to look at film’s most joyous and arguably enduring genre.\n ...
09-12-2023
BBC 2
18. Alfred Hitchcock
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by iconic Hollywood director Alfred Hitchcock, reflecting on the milestones and highlights of his life and car ...
04-02-2023
BBC 2