BBC four

The life of the most glamorous plane ever built, told by the people whose lives she touched. We uncover rare footage telling the forgotten row between the French and British governments over the name of Concorde that threatened to derail the whole project. On the eve of the opening of Bristol's multi-million-pound aerospace museum, a cast of engineers, flight technicians and frequent fliers tell t

Sharks are among the most misunderstood predators on the planet, but an international team of scientists is trying to change that. Their research is revealing that sharks can be sociable and intelligent, and they could even help solve some of the toughest medical challenges of the 21st century. However, their breakthroughs come just as many sharks face extinction. Science may now be the only way t

Volcanoes have long helped shape the Earth. But what is less well known is that there are volcanoes on other planets and moons that are even more extraordinary than those on our own home planet. This week Horizon follows an international team of volcanologists in Iceland as they draw fascinating parallels with the volcanoes on Earth and those elsewhere in the solar system. Through the team's resea

Ein anonymer Brief führt Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) auf die schottische Insel Summerisle. Dort ist angeblich die 12-jährige Rowan verschwunden. Doch niemand will das Mädchen kennen. Howie lässt sich nicht irritieren, dafür erwecken einige freizügige Bräuche das Misstrauen des gläubigen Christen: Vor dem Dorfpub feiern die Insulaner Orgien. \n\nIn der Apotheke verkauft man Rattenhirn und Hund

Professor Jeremy Black examines one of the most extraordinary and revolutionary periods in British history; the industrial revolution. He explains the unique economic, social and political conditions that by the 19th century, led to Britain becoming the richest, most powerful nation on earth. It was a time that transformed the way people think, work and play forever.He traces the unprecedented exp

Were the ancient Scottish tribes too much for the Roman Empire? Or was Scotland simply not worth conquering? Archaeologist Dr Fraser Hunter looks back on three centuries of contact and conflict with the Roman invaders. The first Tay Bridge, the first depiction of tartan and forgotten Roman camps that once held thirty-five thousand men. A story of a superpower pitted against tribesmen and warlords.

Sharks are among the most misunderstood predators on the planet, but an international team of scientists is trying to change that. Their research is revealing that sharks can be sociable and intelligent, and they could even help solve some of the toughest medical challenges of the 21st century. However, their breakthroughs come just as many sharks face extinction. Science may now be the only way t

Travel back in time with a compilation of legendary performances of classic acts straight from the archive of one of the most popular music chart shows in history. Top of the Pops was broadcast weekly from 1964 until 2006, welcoming the greatest stars who performed their biggest hits. This special brings you unforgettable musical moments of pop and rock icons like The Rolling Stones, The Beatles,

Travel back in time with a compilation of legendary performances of classic acts straight from the archive of one of the most popular music chart shows in history. Top of the Pops was broadcast weekly from 1964 until 2006, welcoming the greatest stars who performed their biggest hits. This special brings you unforgettable musical moments of pop and rock icons like The Rolling Stones, The Beatles,

A deep-dive into the BBC's archives to celebrate the great Roy Orbison – full-time rock 'n' roll legend, part-time Traveling Wilbury and the man Elvis famously described as 'the best singer in the world'. The Big O's story was in many ways a tragic one, full of family tragedies and heartbreak, and his extraordinary voice captured all those emotions and more, bringing a new dimension to popular mus

Rock star Roy Orbison and his all-star group of friends gather to play some of Roy's most memorable hits. Orbison is joined by his fellow colleagues, the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Tom Waits, for a live performance of Roy's legendary bangers, including Pretty Woman, Only Be Lonely, Blue Bayou, and many others. The TCB band accompanying the singers used to back Elvis Presley up until 1977, when

Travel back in time with a compilation of legendary performances of classic acts straight from the archive of one of the most popular music chart shows in history. Top of the Pops was broadcast weekly from 1964 until 2006, welcoming the greatest stars who performed their biggest hits. This special brings you unforgettable musical moments of pop and rock icons like The Rolling Stones, The Beatles,

Travel back in time with a compilation of legendary performances of classic acts straight from the archive of one of the most popular music chart shows in history. Top of the Pops was broadcast weekly from 1964 until 2006, welcoming the greatest stars who performed their biggest hits. This special brings you unforgettable musical moments of pop and rock icons like The Rolling Stones, The Beatles,

A deep-dive into the BBC's archives to celebrate the great Roy Orbison – full-time rock 'n' roll legend, part-time Traveling Wilbury and the man Elvis famously described as 'the best singer in the world'. The Big O's story was in many ways a tragic one, full of family tragedies and heartbreak, and his extraordinary voice captured all those emotions and more, bringing a new dimension to popular mus

One man transfixed television viewers during snooker's golden age – his name was Alex "Hurricane" Higgins. This poignant documentary charts the life of the snooker genius, from his early days growing up in Belfast to his climb to the top of the sport as two-time world champion and finally, his last days spent battling a terminal illness. Contributors include Jimmy White, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Dennis

April 9, 1940. The German war machine occupies Norway. One of their primary objectives is to seize the nation's entire gold reserves. But thanks to a few courageous individuals, the gold is smuggled out – just as the Germans come.​​ ​​This is the incredible true story of how 55 tonnes of gold was transported through rough winter landscapes on trucks, trains and boats​ by a group of unlikely resist

"Timewatch" is a series of first-class documentaries on historical subjects, spanning all human history. The series tackles events ranging from the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, to the origin of skeletal remains recovered in a garden in Roman York, to the break-up of possibly the World's most famous pop band; The Beatles. Every programme contains in-depth analysis of the topic and seeks to ans

Professor Jeremy Black examines one of the most extraordinary and revolutionary periods in British history; the industrial revolution. He explains the unique economic, social and political conditions that by the 19th century, led to Britain becoming the richest, most powerful nation on earth. It was a time that transformed the way people think, work and play forever.He traces the unprecedented exp

One man transfixed television viewers during snooker's golden age – his name was Alex "Hurricane" Higgins. This poignant documentary charts the life of the snooker genius, from his early days growing up in Belfast to his climb to the top of the sport as two-time world champion and finally, his last days spent battling a terminal illness. Contributors include Jimmy White, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Dennis

Richard E Grant explores how modern art and the Riviera grew up together when France's Cote D'Azur became the hedonistic playground and experimental studio for the great masters of 20th-century painting. With Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso resident on the coast, other artists from Jean Cocteau to Henri Lartigue, Raoul Dufy to Fernand Leger and Francis Picabia to Sergei Diaghilev were drawn to the

An investigation into the extraordinary life of Gershwin's classic composition, Summertime. One of the most covered songs in the world, it has been recorded in almost every style of music – from jazz to opera, rock to reggae, soul to samba. Its musical adaptability is breathtaking, but Summertime also resonates on a deep emotional level too. This visually and sonically engaging film explores the c