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 takes in the two World Wars, America’s conflict in Vietnam and the ongoing ‘War on Terror’, featuring films ranging from modern-day epics 1917 and Dunkirk to Apocalypse Now and Born on the Fourth of July, and even popular action adventures like The Great Escape, The Dirty Dozen and Where Eagles Dare.\n\nThrough interviews with the directors who made them and the actors who starred in them, Celia explores how cinema helps us to understand the events of the past and how these films ensure that tales of heroism, comradeship and sacrifice are never forgotten.
Source: 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.
03-08-2025
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 ...
31-07-2025
BBC 2
Spartacus
Celia Imrie tells the story of the 1960 epic Spartacus, starring Kirk Douglas, revealing how the film, which was then the most expensive of all time, made it onto the big screen ...
07-06-2025
BBC 2
John Mills
A look back at television appearances made over the years by the Oscar-winning actor Sir John Mills, capturing the milestones of his life and career.
11-05-2025
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 ...
08-04-2025
BBC 2
33. Michael Caine
A look at the life of acting legend Michael Caine, using rarely seen television interviews and classic archive clips to tell the story of one Britain's most successful actors. N ...
15-03-2025
BBC 2
Series 2: 1. Jack Lemmon
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by Some Like It Hot and Days of Wine and Roses star Jack Lemmon, with interviews from the archive and classic ...
06-02-2025
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.
23-01-2025
BBC 2
Orson Welles
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by Orson Welles, capturing the milestones and highlights of his life and career.
02-11-2023
BBC 2
Series 2: 1. Jack Lemmon
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by Some Like It Hot and Days of Wine and Roses star Jack Lemmon, with interviews from the archive and classic ...
06-02-2025
BBC 2
Ingrid Bergman
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by Hollywood icon Ingrid Bergman, capturing the milestones and highlights of her life and career. Narrated by ...
27-05-2023
BBC 2
Joan Collins
Celia Imrie looks back on the life and loves of Dame Joan Collins, star of the big and small screen, sex symbol and all-round national treasure. Through archive interviews and h ...
01-01-2022
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 ...
08-04-2025
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 ...
31-07-2025
BBC 2
Agatha Christie
As Kenneth Branagh prepares to unveil the latest version of Death on the Nile, Celia Imrie looks at how the classic murder mysteries of the great Agatha Christie have been treat ...
04-06-2022
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
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
Richard Attenborough
A look at the life and work of Richard Attenborough, with interviews and archive clips illustrating a career that has made him one of British cinema's most popular figures.
02-01-2025
BBC 2