BBC four

Jane Austen is one of the most celebrated writers of all time, but apart from a rough sketch by her sister Cassandra, we have very little idea what she looked like. Biographer Dr Paula Byrne thinks that is about to change. She believes she has come across a possible portrait of the author, lost to the world for nearly two centuries. Can the picture stand up to forensic analysis and scrutiny by art

Coverage of the concerts and special musical events that take place each summer over an eight-week period. The Henry Wood Promenade Concerts – or The Proms as they are now more popularly known – have a rich history. Originally founded at the end of the 19th century, The Proms are now a highlight of Britain's cultural calendar. Boasting internationally renowned conductors and musicians and focussin

Join our host, railway expert and transport historian Tim Dunn, as he takes us on a journey to explore the fascinating architecture that was created along the railway lines of the UK and Europe. From ground-breaking designs, challenging structural engineering and Victorian grandeur to simple single storey brick constructions and from viaducts to stations, bridges, tunnels, hotels, swimming pools a

Michelangelo was not merely a giant of the Renaissance. He was also one of the era's most controversial personalities. Art historian Sona Datta explores six decades of BBC archive to discover how TV has influenced our understanding of him. Sona reveals how TV has tried to reconcile Michelangelo's art with his difficult personality, bringing to life the story of a man who rose from humble beginning

Capturing the beauty of the English Lake District, a documentary which traces the life of writer and artist Alfred Wainwright, the eccentric Lancastrian who created a series of iconic fell-walking books which he hand-wrote, illustrated and published himself in the 1950s. Celebrating the centenary of his birth, the film captures his passionate love affair with the Lakeland landscape and explores ho

Michelangelo was not merely a giant of the Renaissance. He was also one of the era's most controversial personalities. Art historian Sona Datta explores six decades of BBC archive to discover how TV has influenced our understanding of him. Sona reveals how TV has tried to reconcile Michelangelo's art with his difficult personality, bringing to life the story of a man who rose from humble beginning

Join our host, railway expert and transport historian Tim Dunn, as he takes us on a journey to explore the fascinating architecture that was created along the railway lines of the UK and Europe. From ground-breaking designs, challenging structural engineering and Victorian grandeur to simple single storey brick constructions and from viaducts to stations, bridges, tunnels, hotels, swimming pools a

A gentle sitcom set in the fictional village of Grantleigh, and the aristocratic family seat of the fforbes-Hamilitons. The widow of the deceased Lord of the Manor is Audrey, who inherits the Grantleigh Manor, which has been in her family for hundreds of years. But her husband's debts have left the estate bankrupt and Audrey has no option but to sell up. The new Lord of the Manor is Richard DeVere

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

Drawing on the BBC's rich archive, this documentary reveals the working practices, lives and opinions of some of the greatest photographers since the 1950s. From Norman Parkinson to David Bailey, Eve Arnold to Jane Bown, Henri Cartier-Bresson to Martin Parr, for decades the BBC has drawn our attention to the creators of what has become the most ubiquitous, contemporary art form. Pioneering BBC pro

Series in which Eamonn McCabe celebrates Britain's greatest photographers, sees how science allowed their art to develop, and explores how they have captured our changing lives and country. In the first of three programmes, Eamonn goes back to the 19th century to trace the astonishingly rapid rise of the photograph in British life. Eamonn explores the science behind early photography, and shows ho

Gardening expert Chris Beardshaw explores where soil comes from, what it's made of and what makes it so essential to life. For billions of years our planet was devoid of life, but something transformed it into a vibrant, living planet. That something was soil. It's a much-misunderstood substance, often dismissed as 'dirt', something to be avoided. Yet the crops we eat, the animals we rely on, the

Series in which Eamonn McCabe celebrates Britain's greatest photographers, sees how science allowed their art to develop, and explores how they have captured our changing lives and country. In the first of three programmes, Eamonn goes back to the 19th century to trace the astonishingly rapid rise of the photograph in British life. Eamonn explores the science behind early photography, and shows ho

Drawing on the BBC's rich archive, this documentary reveals the working practices, lives and opinions of some of the greatest photographers since the 1950s. From Norman Parkinson to David Bailey, Eve Arnold to Jane Bown, Henri Cartier-Bresson to Martin Parr, for decades the BBC has drawn our attention to the creators of what has become the most ubiquitous, contemporary art form. Pioneering BBC pro

Ben Robinson travels to Cushendall, one of the finest planned Georgian villages in Northern Ireland. It was owned and shaped by a series of owners but most notably its 19th-century merchant landlord Francis Turnly. The forward-thinking man hoped to try out his ideas for a new global order – ideas akin to such organisations as today's UN and the WHO. He also built an intriguing tapered tower, from

Join Robbie Cumming as he embarks on an adventure across the Midlands and North of England from the comfort of his narrowboat, along the Victorian waterways of Britain on a journey of self-discovery. Intersecting various towns and cities, this documentary follows Robbie as he navigates these winding waterways, whilst maintaining his beloved narrowboat the 'Naughty Lass'. Each leg of his journey is

Simon Sebag Montefiore looks at how every event in ancient Rome revolved around religion. From the foundation myth through to the deification of emperors, nothing could happen without calling upon the pantheon of Roman gods. Simon investigates how the Romans worshipped and sacrificed to the gods. He discovers that sacredness defined what was Roman and it was the responsibility of every Roman to pl

In the third episode Mary takes an in-depth look at the question of identity and citizenship within the Roman Empire. What did it mean to be, or to become, Roman, and how did the very different parts of the empire react to Roman rule? In the beautifully preserved cities of Algeria, incomers and locals mixed to create flourishing communities with a distinct 'more Roman than Rome' frontier identity.

Intertribal conflict was a familiar fixture for Australia's First Nations people, but nothing could prepare them for the conflict with the British and European arrivals over land and livelihood. In the first part of this authored series, film-maker Rachel Perkins, who has both European and First Nations ancestry, examines these first encounters following the British arrival in 1788. The British Em

Join Robbie Cumming as he embarks on an adventure across the Midlands and North of England from the comfort of his narrowboat, along the Victorian waterways of Britain on a journey of self-discovery. Intersecting various towns and cities, this documentary follows Robbie as he navigates these winding waterways, whilst maintaining his beloved narrowboat the 'Naughty Lass'. Each leg of his journey is

Simon Sebag Montefiore looks at how every event in ancient Rome revolved around religion. From the foundation myth through to the deification of emperors, nothing could happen without calling upon the pantheon of Roman gods. Simon investigates how the Romans worshipped and sacrificed to the gods. He discovers that sacredness defined what was Roman and it was the responsibility of every Roman to pl

A series exploring some of the most fascinating coastal communities of Britain. Presented by archaeologist Ben Robinson, the series takes the viewer to picturesque locations which are rich in history and culture. These former fishing villages are increasingly attractive to holidaymakers, but looking into the past throws a light on significant events, as these places were medieval ports, important

In the third episode Mary takes an in-depth look at the question of identity and citizenship within the Roman Empire. What did it mean to be, or to become, Roman, and how did the very different parts of the empire react to Roman rule? In the beautifully preserved cities of Algeria, incomers and locals mixed to create flourishing communities with a distinct 'more Roman than Rome' frontier identity.

Ben Robinson makes an amazing discovery at Norfolk's impressive Holkham estate – its lost medieval village, seen for the first time since its disappearance some 200 years ago. The current village was once owned by Thomas William Coke, known as Coke of Norfolk, who was one of the great farming reformers of his time, instrumental in the agricultural revolution. Ben explores its oldest building, the

Join Robbie Cumming as he embarks on an adventure across the Midlands and North of England from the comfort of his narrowboat, along the Victorian waterways of Britain on a journey of self-discovery. Intersecting various towns and cities, this documentary follows Robbie as he navigates these winding waterways, whilst maintaining his beloved narrowboat the 'Naughty Lass'. Each leg of his journey is

A unique amateur film provides the centrepiece of a documentary celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of Scotland's great landmarks, the Forth Road Bridge. The documentary traces the memories of the people who built the bridge,the biggest of its kind in Europe at the time, as well as those who ran the Forth ferries that stopped running when it opened in 1964.Producer Maurice Smith and Sarah Howi

„The French Connection“ nannte man in den 1960er-Jahren die Schmuggelschneise zwischen Marseille und New York. Auf dieser Spur stoßen die US-Drogenfahnder Jimmy „Popeye“ Doyle (Gene Hackman) und Buddy Rosso (Roy Scheider) zufällig auf die verdächtigen Brüder Boca. \n\nAls die Herren Kontakt mit dem Drogenboss Weinstock (Harold Gary) aufnehmen, erwacht bei Doyle der Jagdinstinkt, denn Weinstock lie

Critic Mark Kermode examines the making of classic thriller The French Connection, beginning with the history behind the 1960s drug bust that inspired the film. Interviewees include director William Friedkin, stars Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider, and former New York cop Sonny Grosso, upon whose exploits the film was based. Mark also revisits the original New York locations which the movie made infa

Den Collegeabschluss in der Tasche, kehrt Benjamin (Dustin Hoffman) nachhause zurück. Seine stolzen Eltern ehren ihn mit einer Party. Zu Gast ist auch Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), eine attraktive Mittvierzigerin. Sie lässt sich von Ben heimfahren und versucht, den Grünschnabel zu verführen. \n\nBen wehrt ab, dennoch ist das der Auftakt zu einer Affäre – wenn auch einer leidenschaftslosen, denn B

Join Robbie Cumming as he embarks on an adventure across the Midlands and North of England from the comfort of his narrowboat, along the Victorian waterways of Britain on a journey of self-discovery. Intersecting various towns and cities, this documentary follows Robbie as he navigates these winding waterways, whilst maintaining his beloved narrowboat the 'Naughty Lass'. Each leg of his journey is

Critic Mark Kermode examines the making of classic thriller The French Connection, beginning with the history behind the 1960s drug bust that inspired the film. Interviewees include director William Friedkin, stars Gene Hackman and Roy Scheider, and former New York cop Sonny Grosso, upon whose exploits the film was based. Mark also revisits the original New York locations which the movie made infa

A series exploring some of the most fascinating coastal communities of Britain. Presented by archaeologist Ben Robinson, the series takes the viewer to picturesque locations which are rich in history and culture. These former fishing villages are increasingly attractive to holidaymakers, but looking into the past throws a light on significant events, as these places were medieval ports, important

Coverage of the concerts and special musical events that take place each summer over an eight-week period. The Henry Wood Promenade Concerts – or The Proms as they are now more popularly known – have a rich history. Originally founded at the end of the 19th century, The Proms are now a highlight of Britain's cultural calendar. Boasting internationally renowned conductors and musicians and focussin

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,

First broadcast in 2007. At east London's LSO St Luke's, singer-songwriter Nick Lowe performs a set comprising familiar songs from his long and illustrious career alongside new songs from his album At My Age. He's joined by a specially assembled band, including longtime cohorts Robert Treherne on drums and Geraint Watkins on keys, plus a horns section featuring legendary bandleader and trombonist

Series of unique concerts featuring musicians from around the world at St Luke's in London. Canadian country singer and four-times Grammy Award winner k.d. lang performs together with a 30-strong strings section from the BBC Concert Orchestra. The set features songs from across her 25-year career, including her biggest hit Constant Craving, covers of Neil Young and Leonard Cohen songs, and materia