Sylvia Syms explores the BBC archives for a look back at the life and career of one of Britain's best-loved actors, Sir Roger Moore, who died in 2017, just months before his 90th birthday.\n\nInterviews with the star from over the years reveal how he went from knitwear model to one of the world's most recognisable faces, thanks to TV shows like The Saint and The Persuaders. They also show how Roger always seemed destined to play James Bond, and how the humour he brought to the franchise and his self-deprecating style guaranteed its success throughout the 1970s and 80s - and made him Britain's greatest cinematic export of the era. We also get the tale of his life post-Bond, which included working as an ambassador for Unicef, a role he judged his most important - putting it even above 007.
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
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
Sophia Loren
An examination of the life and career of one of cinema's most glamorous stars, Sophia Loren, with rarely seen archive material telling the story of her hugely successful career.
19-09-2024
BBC 2
70s Legends
A look back at television appearances by legends of the silver screen, using archive footage to tell the story of their lives and careers.
22-06-2023
BBC 2
Robert Mitchum
The life and career of Robert Mitchum is examined using footage of his appearances on the BBC, illustrating why he was a favourite of film fans and an interviewer's nightmare.
14-12-2021
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
Bing Crosby
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by American actor Bing Crosby, with interviews from the archive and classic clips capturing the milestones and ...
01-04-2023
BBC 2
Perfect Partners
A look back at some of cinema’s best-loved partnerships, from Fred and Ginger, Doris Day and Rock Hudson, to Newman and Redford, and even Nick Frost and Simon Pegg. With i ...
29-06-2024
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 ...
31-07-2025
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