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.\n\nInterviews from the BBC archives with key cast members, including Tony Curtis, Peter Ustinov, Jean Simmons and Kirk Douglas himself, expose the battles behind the scenes that saw the first director getting fired in favour of new talent Stanley Kubrick and demonstrate how it was the gritty determination of leading man Douglas that led to the film defeating Hollywood’s notorious anti-communist blacklist.
Source: 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 ...
05-06-2025
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
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
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 ...
24-12-2024
BBC 2
Series 2: 8. Richard Harris
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by Richard Harris, with interviews from the archive and classic clips capturing the milestones and highlights ...
05-02-2020
BBC 2
Epics
Sylvia Syms looks through the BBC archive to discover what makes an epic. The programme looks at the history of epics, which featured lavish budgets and huge sets, from the Ten ...
06-02-2021
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
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 ...
08-04-2025
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 ...
15-08-2024
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
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