BBC Four

Citizen Kane

19/01/1998

BBC Four - Citizen Kane

The story of newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane, told in a series of flashbacks.

A landmark in the history of cinema, telling the story of newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane in a series of flashbacks. Starring Orson Welles.

Frequently voted one of the best films ever made, Orson Welles's masterpiece tells the story of newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane in a series of flashbacks. A reporter is intrigued by the dying Kane's last word - rosebud - and sets out to find a new angle on the life of one of the most powerful men in America. Nine Oscar nominations resulted in only one award for the outspoken Welles - Best Screenplay.

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.

Classic drama, produced, directed, co-written by and starring Orson Welles.

After the death of newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane, reporters try to discover the truth about his life. What was he like, and who was Rosebud, the name he spoke just before he died? Five people who knew him give their impressions of the tycoon.
Review p77
(1941, U) (S) (AD)
Barry Norman: page 65

Orson Welles Season From 7.00pm BBC4: Documentary
It's good to know these seasonal treats for movie buffs, traditionally on BBC2, have found a home on BBC4. There's a selection of the cinema giant's classics and oddities, and tonight we go back to 1982 for a magnificent, in-depth Arena. The Orson Welles Story tracked down the still smouldering, almost burnt-out star in Las Vegas to guiz him about his meteoric career. Jeanne Moreau, Robert Wise, John Huston and Chuck Heston also chip in. I think I'll settle back with a smooth sherry and a fat cigar and let out my belt a notch or two. PM

The Orson Welles Story: Arena

Arena

The gold standard for arts documentaries, from 1975 to the present day.

The gold standard for arts documentaries, from 1975 to the present day. A cultural map of the world’s greatest artists and musicians, as captured by exceptional film-makers.

Arena: The Orson Welles Story: Episode 1

Episode 1

The Orson Welles Story

BBC Four - Arena, The Orson Welles Story, Episode 1

First of a two-part film profile of Orson Welles, which goes as far as Touch of Evil.

Profile of Orson Welles, looking at his life and career in theatre, radio and particularly film. This part deals with his work up to Touch of Evil.

First of a two-part film profile of Orson Welles, looking at his life and career in theatre, radio and particularly film. With Jeanne Moreau, John Huston, Peter Bogdanovitch, Robert Wise, Charlton Heston, and a detailed interview with Welles himself. This part deals with his work up to Touch of Evil.

Arena: The Orson Welles Story

Profile of Orson Welles, looking at his life and career in theatre, radio and film

Two-part profile of actor-director Orson Welles, looking at his life and career in theatre, radio and particularly film

Arena: The Orson Welles Story: 1/2

A profile of the legendary director, including an interview in which he reflects on his long career in the film industry, from the success of Citizen Kane up to his work on Touch of Evil.
Featuring contributions by Jeanne Moreau, John Huston, Peter Bogdanovitch, Robert Wise and Charlton Heston.
Part of the Orson Welles season
See panel (S)
Alan Yentob's music and arts round-up: p52

Journey into Fear

21/05/2005

BBC Four - Journey into Fear

An American munitions expert goes on the run from the Gestapo during the Second World War.

A nightmarish tale of espionage and treachery in Istanbul, as an American munitions expert, played by Joseph Cotten, goes on the run from the Gestapo during World War II.

A nightmarish tale of espionage and treachery in Istanbul, as an American munitions expert goes on the run from the Gestapo during the Second World War. Orson Welles, who acts the role of a corrupt chief of the Turkish secret police, wrote the script with co-star Joseph Cotten. Adapted from a novel by Eric Ambler.

Wartime spy drama starring Joseph Cotten and Orson Welles. Munitions expert Howard Graham is enjoying a brief stay in Istanbul. Following an attempt on his life by an enemy agent, he is urged by Colonel Haki, head of the secret police, to escape from Turkey. (1942, U) (S)

Cardigans at Christmas

25/12/1997

BBC Two - Cardigans at Christmas

A look at the rise and demise of the Christmas light-entertainment spectacular.

A feast of old chestnuts from the glory days of Christmases past with this look at the rise and demise of the Christmas light-entertainment spectacular.

A feast of old chestnuts from the glory days of Christmases past with this look at the rise and demise of the Christmas light-entertainment spectacular. From Christmas Night with the Stars to Val Doonican and Christmas Snowtime special, the programme revisits a world of snow made from soapflakes, chorus lines sweating in winter woolies and recycled sleighs.

BBC Two

BBC Two is a TV channel that started broadcasting on the 20th April 1964.

BBC Two is a lively channel of depth and substance, carrying a range of knowledge-building programming complemented by great drama, comedy and arts.

The Secret Life of the Airport

The Secret Life of the Airport: Episode 1: Preparing for Take Off

Episode 1: Preparing for Take Off

Preparing for Take Off

BBC Four - The Secret Life of the Airport, Preparing for Take Off

How rivalry, skulduggery and sheer passion for flight gave birth to Britain's airports.

Using rare archive, this series charting the development of Britain's airports begins with the heady glamour of Britain's first terminal at Croydon.

Travel in time from the heady glamour of Britain's first terminal at Croydon to the signs and squiggles that direct pilots, as well as passengers, in today's airports. This series reveals how rivalry, skulduggery and sheer passion for flight gave birth to our airports, turning muddy airfields into the 24-hour mini-cities we know today. In the process, they've transformed Britain - giving us the freedom to travel anywhere we want and inspiring fear about our borders.

Rare archive, access to airports' hidden corners and contributors ranging from philosopher and author Alain de Botton to the man charged with scaring birds off Manchester's runways, reveal all.

Series charting the development of Britain's airports

Series charting the development of Britain's airports and how they have transformed the country, in the process creating both freedom and fear

The Secret Life of the Airport: Episode 2: Joining the Jet Set

Episode 2

Episode 2: Joining the Jet Set

Joining the Jet Set

BBC Four - The Secret Life of the Airport, Joining the Jet Set

The golden age of jet travel, when 'money, tickets, passport' became the masses' mantra.

Series following the rise of our airports. The jet age sees Heathrow itself become a tourist attraction, and life as an air hostess is as glamorous as can be.

Three-part series charting the development of Britain's airports and how they have transformed the country, in the process creating both freedom and fear. 

Relive the heyday of jet travel, when airports held beauty pageants for air hostesses and information films taught us how to pack for flight. This episode celebrates how 'money, tickets, passport' became the mantra of the moving masses. But while we giddily embarked on our foreign holidays, Britain itself was being shaped by the airport - tourism, business and immigration all felt the impact of these gateways to the globe. 

Glorious colour archive captures the airport's golden age, while contributions from author Sarfraz Manzoor and airline staff to early immigrants explore how airports changed us.

The Secret Life of the Airport: Episode 3: The Final Approach

Episode 3

Episode 3: The Final Approach

The Final Approach

BBC Four - The Secret Life of the Airport, The Final Approach

Going from the open, accessible airport of the 1960s to present-day security procedures.

Series exploring the development of Britain's airports. From Nimbys to climate protesters, hijackers to terrorists: how the airport has come under attack.

Three-part series charting the development of Britain's airports and how they have transformed the country, in the process creating both freedom and fear. 

Once upon a time you could roam freely across airports, but no longer. This final episode reveals how the easily accessible airport of late Sixties turned into one besieged by present-day security procedures and climate protesters. With rare archive and eyewitness accounts, it relates the events that have shaped our contemporary experience of airports - with their x-rays, pat downs and scanners. But although the airport's sheen may be tarnished, we're using them more than ever. Contributors including architect Lord Foster and author Will Self explore why.

High Flyers: How Britain Took to the Air

28/10/2009

BBC Four - High Flyers: How Britain Took to the Air

A celebration of the golden age of air travel when Britain ruled the skies.

Documentary celebrating the golden age of air travel when, in the 1920s and 1930s, Britain ruled the skies, and style and glamour were a passport to adventure.

Documentary which tells the story of the golden age of British aviation and of how the original 'jet set' shaped air travel for generations to come. In Britain in the 1920s and '30s a revolution took place that would change forever our perspective on the world. While the country was in the grip of recession, dashing pilots and daring socialites took to the air, pushed back boundaries and forged new links across the globe. The era of commercial air travel was born.

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