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Andrew Marr's History of the World

Documentaries

Factual: History

Andrew Marr goes on an epic journey through 70,000 years of human history.

Andrew Marr goes on an epic journey through 70,000 years of human history, telling the story of how great forces of nature and individual genius shaped the world we live in today.

Simulcast of network BBC One in high definition. From 03/11/2010

BBC One HD

Simulcast of BBC One Northern Ireland in high definition. From 24/10/2012

BBC One Northern Ireland HD

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BBC One South West

The BBC South region started on 5th January 1961 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One South.

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The BBC East region started on 1st May 1959 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One East.

BBC One East

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BBC Northern Ireland region started on 19th April 1955 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One Northern Ireland.

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BBC Four HD

Andrew Marr's History of the World: Original Series

Andrew Marr

Chris Granlund

Kathryn Taylor

Guy Smith

Andrew Marr's History of the World: Original Series: Episode 8: Age of Extremes

Age of Extremes

Episode 8

Episode 8: Age of Extremes

Original Series

BBC One - Andrew Marr's History of the World, Original Series, Age of Extremes

Andrew Marr brings the story of human civilisation up to date with the twentieth century.

Documentary series charting the story of human civilisation. In this episode, Andrew Marr brings the story right up to date with the twentieth century.

In the final episode of this landmark series charting the history of human civilisation, Andrew Marr brings the story right up to date with the twentieth century. 

Marr suggests that humanity found itself propelled forward by our technological brilliance but limited by the consequences of our political idiocy. Democracy confronted communism and fascism, and two world wars would underscore our political failures more than ever before. 

But our achievements were also astonishing, especially in the fields of science and technology. We invented machines of awesome speed and power, and reached beyond the limits of our planet. Now, more of us live longer, healthier and wealthier lives than our ancestors could ever have imagined. 

But Marr argues that with seven billion of us on the planet, and rising fast, either we manage the earth's natural resources better or we risk global catastrophe. The decisions we make in the next 50 years, he argues, may well decide our fate. For Marr, the most interesting part of human history lies just ahead.

BBC One

An epic journey through of 70,000 years of human history.

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Andrew Marr's History of the World

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Episode 8: Age of Extremes

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