BBC Four

BBC 4

Adam Nicolson

Gillian Bancroft

Jean-Claude Bragard

When God Spoke English: The Making of the King James Bible

Documentaries

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Factual: History

Religion & Ethics

21/02/2011

BBC Four - When God Spoke English: The Making of the King James Bible

Adam Nicolson tells the unexpected story of how the King James Bible came into being.

Adam Nicolson uses newly found 17th-century manuscripts to tell the story of how arguably the greatest work of English prose ever written, the King James Bible, came into being.

Documentary telling the unexpected story of how arguably the greatest work of English prose ever written, the King James Bible, came into being.

Author Adam Nicolson reveals why the making of this powerful book shares much in common with his experience of a very different national project - the Millennium Dome. The programme also delves into recently discovered 17th-century manuscripts, from the actual translation process itself, to show in rich detail what makes this Bible so good. 

In a turbulent and often violent age, the king hoped this Bible would unite a country torn by religious factions. Today it is dismissed by some as old-fashioned and impenetrable, but the film shows why, in the 21st century, the King James Bible remains so great.

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

When God Spoke English: The Making of the King James Bible

Contributors

Genres

Formats

BBC Four

About BBC Four