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 controversial actresses. \n\nInterviews with the star from over the years reveal how the legacy of her father Henry has hung over her entire career, and show the journey that has taken her from 60s sex kitten, to feminist icon and political activist, to queen of the fitness video and award-winning producer. \n\nThe programme also explores how Fonda's opposition to the Vietnam war impacted on her film choices and earned her the nickname she still struggles to shake off, Hanoi Jane.
Source: BBC 2
John Wayne
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by Hollywood legend John Wayne, capturing the milestones and highlights of his life and career.
19-10-2025
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.
09-10-2025
BBC 2
32. Julie Andrews
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by Mary Poppins and Sound of Music star Julie Andrews, with interviews from the archive and classic clips capt ...
02-10-2025
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.
11-09-2025
BBC 2
The Godfather Trilogy
Celia Imrie explores the story behind Francis Ford Coppola’s acclaimed Godfather series. \n\nThrough interviews and insights from leading cast members Al Pacino, Robert De ...
28-08-2025
BBC 2
The Silence Of The Lambs
Celia Imrie takes a trip through the BBC archives on a forensic examination of one of cinema’s most frightening franchises, The Silence of the Lambs. \n\nThrough interview ...
21-08-2025
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.
11-09-2025
BBC 2
32. Julie Andrews
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by Mary Poppins and Sound of Music star Julie Andrews, with interviews from the archive and classic clips capt ...
02-10-2025
BBC 2
Roger Moore
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 90t ...
30-12-2019
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
Alec Guinness
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by Alec Guinness, capturing the milestones and highlights of his life and career.
05-06-2024
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
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
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.
09-10-2025
BBC 2
David Lean
A compilation of rarely seen interviews and archive footage tells the story of movie-master David Lean, one of Britain's greatest film directors.
21-11-2020
BBC 2