8 Days That Made Rome

Award-winning historian and host, Bettany Hughes, travels across the Roman world in this eight-part landmark history of ancient Rome. Across the series we explore eight key days that define the Roman Empire's remarkable success, and the series of events which would ultimately culminate in the end of Rome’s republic.

Diana Interview: Revenge Of A Princess

Twenty-five years ago, a stunned world watched as Diana, Princess of Wales poured her heart out on national television. She revealed a royal marriage in crisis, infidelities on both sides and a degree of personal misery that had made her seriously ill. It was watershed television, affecting public perceptions of the monarchy and prompting a constitutional crisis. But what had led to this remarkable moment? In this two-part series we hear from those who witnessed the marriage descend into tragedy and, through previously unseen documents and footage, as well as eyewitness testimony from inside the interview room, discover how and why this extraordinary interview came about.

Hell Below

HELL BELOW is an event-based series charting the stealth game of subsea warfare from contact to attack of the greatest submarine patrols of World War II. From the rise of the Wolfpack to the drive for victory in the Pacific, meet the masterminds who brought together the strategy, technology and tactics to make every sailor’s worst nightmare to come to life.

The Good Nazi

THE GOOD NAZI tells the story of Major Karl Plagge, a high ranking Nazi officer who risked his own life to save hundreds of human beings. In a story reminiscent of Schindler’s List, Plagge employed some 1,240 Jews - men, women and children - and was able to protect many of them from the near total annihilation of Lithuania’s Jews. This film combines powerful first person testimonies, cinematic drama recreations and a unique present tense narrative to tell this extraordinary story for the very first time.

Saving Places

Saving history - one building at a time. SAVING PLACES documents the hands-on restoration of a threatened but historically meaningful building by a team of artisans who use the materials, designs and craftsmanship of a bygone era.

Bangers And Cash

Set against the backdrop of a beautiful English village, BANGERS & CASH follows the Mathewson family as they discover and auction over 3,000 classic cars a year, as well as all kinds of rare commercial vehicles, vintage motorbikes and auto memorabilia. No vehicle is off limits and the auction sees every kind of motor coming under the hammer - as the term “classic car” is constantly revised.

Canada 1812: Forged In Fire

It may be the most misunderstood war in history. When Americans and Canadians needle each other over a few beers, both sides say the other started it; Canadians say the Americans were trying to take over Canada, Americans say they were trying to fight British oppression. Both sides claim victory. But one thing is certain: no event did more to affect the course of two nations – the fledging United States of America, and the soon-to-be-established Canada – than the War of 1812. Through six central characters, this series explores the events that unfolded in the different arenas and social spheres to shape the true north strong and free.

Queen’s Coronation In Colour

This film takes us behind the scenes of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, arguably the most elaborate ceremony of the 20th century, to celebrate not only the Royal Family and those who masterminded the Coronation but the people from all walks of life who contributed to making it a unique occasion. Presented by British actor Alexander Armstrong.

Taking Venice

It’s 1964, the Cold War is raging, and the US sets its sights on a new front: the art world. At the prestigious Venice Biennale, a covert cultural campaign unfolds. A savvy Washington insider enlists a rising curator to organize America’s entry. Teaming up with a legendary dealer, they launch an audacious plan to make Robert Rauschenberg—an unorthodox artist using pop culture imagery and street junk—the grand prize winner. As the competition heats up, the team’s behind-the-scenes tactics echo a Hollywood thriller. When Rauschenberg wins, the art world erupts—and the artist is left questioning the political agenda behind his triumph.

Man Made Marvels: China - The World's Highest Railway

For fifty years the Chinese dreamed of connecting the Tibetan city of Lhasa to the national rail network. But making this dream a reality would prove to be one of the most difficult engineering projects in history. The 1142 kilometre rail line is not the longest in the world but, contending with permafrost, earthquakes and the dangers of extreme altitude, makes the Qinghai-Tibet line certainly the most challenging to construct. Defying all odds, the Qinghai-Tibet railway is a true Man Made Marvel: a project that has taken on nature’s forces – and won.