BBC four

Writer, broadcaster and Newsnight arts correspondent Stephen Smith explores Renaissance Florence under the reign of Grand Duke Cosimo Medici. Cosimo's fledgling court prized the finer things in life and some of the greatest painters, sculptors and craftsmen in world history came to serve the Grand Duke. But successful courtiers had to have brains as well as brawn. The canniest of them looked to th

The Story of the Highland Games A journey into the history, pageantry and characters that have shaped a Scottish phenomenon. Acclaimed actor Bill Paterson narrates the astonishing story of the Highland Games. From the battling clans to Queen Victoria's infatuation with her Highland subjects. The Games have become a symbol of community and identity in Scotland and all across the world. (Senderinfo)

In April 1955 Ruth Ellis shot her lover David Blakely dead. It's a case that shocked the nation, and it still fascinates today. It has its place in ushering in the defence of diminished responsibility and the eventual abolishment of capital punishment. We all think we know the story, but why, when it was seemingly such an open-and-shut case, does it still divide opinion on whether Ruth Ellis got t

Long-running general knowledge quiz that tests the intellectual powers of the brightest undergraduates in Britain. Launched in 1962 and hosted by Bamber Gascoigne, the show achieved cult status with teams from two different rival colleges pitting their wits against each other each week. The questions are as varied and as tough as they can be, and competitors risk having hard-earned points deducted

British quiz show, presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell, in which teams compete in a tournament of finding connections between seemingly unrelated clues. Each episode features two teams of three people competing in four rounds of gameplay. Each of the four rounds involve connections but they are not obvious or easy. The four rounds are ''What is the Connection?'', ''What Comes Fourth?'', ''Connect

Martin Shaw takes a fresh look at one of the most famous war stories of them all. The actor, himself a pilot, takes to the skies to retrace the route of the 1943 raid by 617 Squadron which used a bouncing bomb to destroy German dams. And he sheds new light on the story as he separates the facts from the myths behind this tale of courage and ingenuity. Using the 1955 movie, The Dam Busters, as a ve

Bernard und Irene Jordan sind ein hochbetagtes englisches Pärchen, das seine letzten Jahre vergnügt in einem noblen Altenheim verbringt. Dumm nur, dass Normandie-Veteran „Bernie“ die Anmeldung zur Feier des 70. Jahrestags des D-Day in Frankreich verpasst hat. Doch daheimbleiben ist keine Option: Kurzerhand büxt Bernie aus und macht sich mit seinem Rollator auf in Richtung Fähre. \n\nWährend Irene

Celia Imrie tells the story of Glenda Jackson, one of Britain's greatest-ever acting talents and a double Oscar winner, who famously turned her back on her hugely successful screen career to pursue a life in politics. With interviews and rarely seen moments from the BBC's archives, this programme explores Jackson's career to gain insight into the choices and aspirations that drove her over the yea

Seit 18 Jahren sitzt Hannibal „der Kannibale“ Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) im Hochsicherheitstrakt einer psychiatrischen Anstalt. Als ein neuer Psychokiller auftaucht, der Frauen tötet und häutet, hofft das FBI auf Lecters Hilfe. Polizeischülerin Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) soll das kranke Genie zur Mitarbeit bewegen. Lecter willigt ein – wenn Starling dem Ex-Psychiater ihre Seele öffnet…\n\nPssss

A look back at the life of the Oscar-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins. In interviews conducted with the BBC over the course of his career we see him discuss his approach to acting, his hell-raising years and the famous films and roles that helped make him a star including Remains of the Day, Shadowlands, Nixon and, of course, The Silence of the Lambs, in which he first portrayed his most celebrat

Celia Imrie tells the story of Glenda Jackson, one of Britain's greatest-ever acting talents and a double Oscar winner, who famously turned her back on her hugely successful screen career to pursue a life in politics. With interviews and rarely seen moments from the BBC's archives, this programme explores Jackson's career to gain insight into the choices and aspirations that drove her over the yea

Writer, broadcaster and Newsnight arts correspondent Stephen Smith explores Renaissance Florence under the reign of Grand Duke Cosimo Medici. Cosimo's fledgling court prized the finer things in life and some of the greatest painters, sculptors and craftsmen in world history came to serve the Grand Duke. But successful courtiers had to have brains as well as brawn. The canniest of them looked to th

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,

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 celebration of the hits of one of the greatest and biggest-selling stars of all time that looks back Whitney Houston's best performances at the BBC. This selection of songs, wrapped up in one of soul music's biggest-ever voices, captures how the world sat up and listened when Whitney burst onto the scene in 1985 with Saving all My Love for You. Taking us on a journey, hit by hit, through the 80s

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,

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 celebration of the hits of one of the greatest and biggest-selling stars of all time that looks back Whitney Houston's best performances at the BBC. This selection of songs, wrapped up in one of soul music's biggest-ever voices, captures how the world sat up and listened when Whitney burst onto the scene in 1985 with Saving all My Love for You. Taking us on a journey, hit by hit, through the 80s

Revisit some of Dusty Springfield's most memorable hits with a compilation of her performances for BBC between 1961 and 1995. Go through her extensive discography, including folk songs with which she debuted on the music scene and her synth-pop collaborations with the Pet Shop Boys. Dance along to the melodies of You Don't Have to Say You Love Me, If You Go Away, What Have I Done to Deserve This?,

As Hetty Wainthropp (Patricia Routledge) reaches retirement age at 60 and faces an uncertain future financially, she decides that the life of a pensioner is not for her and opens a detective agency instead. Armed only with her no-nonsense Lancashire attitude and her notebook, she embarks on a series of criminal investigations. Aided by her teenage sidekick and reformed thief, Geoffrey, and her dev

The story revolves around Hyacinth Bucket, a housewife from a lower class whose only aim in life is to impress others with her etiquette and social skills and climb the social ladder. She is terrified that her background will be revealed one day, and goes above and beyond to hide it. She insists her inharmonious surname is pronounced Bouquet. All her attempts as a rule lead to awkward comic situat

Timothy Lumsden is a 40-something librarian, still living with his parents and under the thumb of his domineering mother Phyllis. Although Timothy has sporadic attempts at standing up for himself and abandoning his home in order to lead an independent life, all his attempts prove futile as his mother always stands in the way. It might be that the only force strong enough to break Timothy's bond wi

A look back at the life of the Oscar-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins. In interviews conducted with the BBC over the course of his career we see him discuss his approach to acting, his hell-raising years and the famous films and roles that helped make him a star including Remains of the Day, Shadowlands, Nixon and, of course, The Silence of the Lambs, in which he first portrayed his most celebrat

Revisit some of Dusty Springfield's most memorable hits with a compilation of her performances for BBC between 1961 and 1995. Go through her extensive discography, including folk songs with which she debuted on the music scene and her synth-pop collaborations with the Pet Shop Boys. Dance along to the melodies of You Don't Have to Say You Love Me, If You Go Away, What Have I Done to Deserve This?,

Historian Bettany Hughes embarks on an expedition to India, Greece and China on the trail of three giants of ancient philosophy: Buddha, Socrates and Confucius. All three physically travelled great distances philosophising as they went and drawing conclusions from their journeys. With Bettany as our guide, she gets under the skin of these three great minds and shines a light on the overlooked sign

As Hetty Wainthropp (Patricia Routledge) reaches retirement age at 60 and faces an uncertain future financially, she decides that the life of a pensioner is not for her and opens a detective agency instead. Armed only with her no-nonsense Lancashire attitude and her notebook, she embarks on a series of criminal investigations. Aided by her teenage sidekick and reformed thief, Geoffrey, and her dev

This special episode brings together highlights from the series. From hidden forests and turbulent coasts to vast unexplored deserts. We begin in the oldest desert on earth – the Namib, in south western Africa. A pair of ostriches raise their family in the searing heat to keep them safe from predators – but time is ticking as the chicks begin to hatch. Outside the egg, the newborns won't survive l

Michael Palin presents a profile of the television career of David Attenborough, from controller of BBC Two to his wildlife programmes such as Life on Earth and The Blue Planet. (Senderinfo).

Celebrated British naturalist Sir David Attenborough examines the diversity and origins of "Life on Earth." The film work is outstanding and the camera teams have employed techniques which remain ground-breaking to this day. The series focuses on the story of how life emerged from simple cells to the plants and animals that are abundant on every continent. Pioneering filming techniques capture bir

Natural World is a series of wildlife programs that are centred around the Animal Kingdom and its habitats, and tell detailed stories about animals. Each episode is informative and brings a whole new perspective on animals in the most extraordinary places in the world. It is the longest-running documentary in its genre on British television, broadcast since its inception in 1983. (Senderinfo).

Dance has almost always moved freely across frontiers. Just as in the 19th century, Italian and French dancers went to Russia to make their names, so in the 20th century, Diaghilev reversed the flow by bringing the Ballets Russes to live and work in Western Europe. All part of the ebb and flow of dance. Margot Fonteyn visits Tchaikovsky's house near Moscow and talks to Marie Rambert about Diaghile

A series of documentaries focusing on art, including all art forms from music and film, to painting, literature and more. The documentaries, which tell interesting and inspiring stories about various important artworks and artists, are regarded as highly original and innovative ever since the first one was aired back in 1967. Some of the most acclaimed and well-known films are dedicated to artists

A short compilation of clips from Fred Astaire's days at the RKO studio, where he formed an unforgettable partnership with Ginger Rogers. (Senderinfo).

Dancers of all kinds take over Swansea's streets, landmarks, parks and beaches to showcase the city, explore what home means and celebrate the life-enhancing joy of dance. There are solos, duets and ensembles. From ballet, Latin and contemporary to ballroom, breaking, traditional clog and Welsh folk dance. Locations range from Mumbles Pier and skateboard park to Swansea Bay and the dunes, beaches

This special episode brings together highlights from the series. From hidden forests and turbulent coasts to vast unexplored deserts. We begin in the oldest desert on earth – the Namib, in south western Africa. A pair of ostriches raise their family in the searing heat to keep them safe from predators – but time is ticking as the chicks begin to hatch. Outside the egg, the newborns won't survive l

Celebrated British naturalist Sir David Attenborough examines the diversity and origins of "Life on Earth." The film work is outstanding and the camera teams have employed techniques which remain ground-breaking to this day. The series focuses on the story of how life emerged from simple cells to the plants and animals that are abundant on every continent. Pioneering filming techniques capture bir

Long-running general knowledge quiz that tests the intellectual powers of the brightest undergraduates in Britain. Launched in 1962 and hosted by Bamber Gascoigne, the show achieved cult status with teams from two different rival colleges pitting their wits against each other each week. The questions are as varied and as tough as they can be, and competitors risk having hard-earned points deducted

British quiz show, presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell, in which teams compete in a tournament of finding connections between seemingly unrelated clues. Each episode features two teams of three people competing in four rounds of gameplay. Each of the four rounds involve connections but they are not obvious or easy. The four rounds are ''What is the Connection?'', ''What Comes Fourth?'', ''Connect

Documentary series which unearths lost civilisations and reveals the wonders of some of the world's ancient cities. More than 3,000 years ago a mysterious and ruthless civilization rose from nothing, created a brutal and unstoppable army and built an empire that rivalled Egypt and Babylon. Yet, just as it was at the height of its powers, the great empire suddenly vanished from history. This is the

Join our host, Andrew Graham-Dixon, as he takes us on an exploratory journey through the history of Scandinavian art. Focusing on a major thme from each region, he delves into the stories behind each to reveal what they tell us about the culture and era of the times they were created in. Starting off in Norway, Andrew looks at the fascinating work of one of the country's most famous dark artistic

First airing in 1957, The Sky at Night is a long-running documentary series that offers an in-depth examination of our majestic night sky. Containing a number astronomical and space-related topics, the series is a highly informative exploration of the night sky, providing viewers with incredibly detailed knowledge on items such as black holes, planets, meteor showers, stellar life cycles, and more

The 19th century saw a decisive shift in power from the countryside to the cities. With the industrial revolution transforming the British Isles, a divide opened up between the urban and the rural, forcing artists to respond to the upheaval to lives and the landscape. Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson reflects on the inspiration of JMW Turner, arguably the first environmental artist, and we encount

In the first of a new series of their city adventures, Janina Ramirez and Alastair Sooke head to Lisbon, rapidly becoming one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations. Winding through the city's cobbled streets, from its steep hills to the picturesque shore line, the cultural riches they encounter reveal the city's fascinating history. From a spectacular monument, to the maritime globetrottin