We all know that Hollywood is the major player in modern cinema, with American movies dominating box offices across the world. Francine Stock examines this early example of globalisation, discovering exactly when and why it happened.

In the first of two documentaries about the rise and (possible) fall of this American empire, she looks at the genres that have become Hollywood staples - the thriller, the comedy, the epic - and finds their roots in Europe and elsewhere.

If you think the stick-em-up, the rom-com and the sword-and-sandal epic began life in the United States, then think again. The French gave the world a kinetic form of film comedy, and not only did the Danes perfect the art of the thriller, they gave the world its first bona fide movie star, Asta Nielsen, who scandalised cinema-goers everywhere with her erotic dance in 1910's The Abyss (you can still catch a glimpse of it on the internet).

Once a force in the world market, Britain introduced colour to cinema as early as 1910, but its power-base crumbled during World War I.

Francine will investigate the reasons for this sudden collapse and ask if Hollywood beat the rest of the world simply because they made better movies.

Produced by Stephen Hughes. Show less