Catch up TV
Series 8: 1. Queen Vic's Home Vids
Did you know that the Victorians invented films? Not only that, but one of the first stars of the moving image was Queen Victoria! Using real footage recently restored by the BFI, this special show takes a Horribly Historical look at the Victorians’ obsession with film. We see some of Queen Vicky’s very first filmic appearances (also featuring an initially reluctant Tsar Nicholas I), and also how the Victorians became obsessed with filming everything, from their holidays abroad to strapping cameramen to the front of a moving train (using only ropes) to make ‘Phantom Ride’ films.\n\nAlong the way we also meet the Lumiere brothers (one of whom looks a lot like First Dates' Fred Sirieix), Kaiser Wilhelm II, notable Victorian actor Herbert Beerbohm Tree, and we see that the Victorians were also early adopters of Fake News. The episode ends with a show-stopping song that traces the evolution of film from the Victorians’ first forays through to the blockbusters we see in the multiplexes today.
Source: CBBC
Most recent episodes of Horrible Histories
Horrible Histories
Series 9: 4. Precious Planet
Charles Darwin presents a special show, as Horrible Histories takes a timely look at our planet and how we’ve behaved towards it throughout history.\n\nWe look at how we&r ...
22-04-2025
CBBC
Horrible Histories
Series 8: 2. Fashion Faux Pas
From the ancient Egyptians pioneering smelling good (a heady mix of fat and perfume plonked on your head, so that it would gradually melt throughout the day and make you smell a ...
20-04-2025
CBBC
Horrible Histories
Series 9: 11. Monstrous Myths
Count Rattula guides us through some of history’s greatest myths and monsters, including Henry VIII’s Robin Hood obsession and ancient ghostbusters.
20-04-2025
CBBC
Horrible Histories
Series 7: 15. Terrible Tudor Special
Chop, chop, it's the Horrible Histories' Terrible Tudors Special, with everything you need to know about history's most famous family. Featuring a never-before-seen sketch with ...
13-04-2025
CBBC
Most popular episodes of Horrible Histories
Horrible Histories
Series 11: 6. Enormous Empires
With everything from mid-battle diarrhoea to a warlord taking over a geography class, take a journey charting the rise and fall of some of history’s biggest empires.
15-03-2025
CBBC
Horrible Histories
Series 5: Episode 1
The Saxon gods form an unlikely team of superheroes, famous astronaut Neil Armstrong reveals his new weight-loss programme, we meet Georgian London's crime-fighting genius and R ...
05-04-2025
CBBC
Horrible Histories
Series 5 - Frightful First World War
Bob Hale and Rattus Rattus guide viewers through the horrible history of 1914-18. Featuring the soldiers, civilians, suffragettes and even kings who were caught up in the fighting.
12-11-2023
CBBC
Horrible Histories
Series 10: 5. Hideous Homes
From how Henry VIII had the most comfortable poo possible, to finding out which bit of his house Charles Dickens called The Demon - take a tour of horrible homes through history.
21-03-2025
CBBC
Horrible Histories
Animated Specials: 1. Gruesome Guide To Growing Up
Life wasn’t always fun for children in the past. Horrible Histories delves into the not-so-easy lives of children throughout history, from the strict parenting of ancient ...
31-05-2024
CBBC
Horrible Histories
Series 5 - Song Special
Historical sketch show. Some of history's greatest characters serenade us with tales of their lives. Featuring the all-conquering Alexander the Great.
03-04-2025
CBBC
Horrible Histories
Series 10: 8. Gory Greek Myths
From the Trojan Horse, to Jason and his Argonauts going to find the Golden Fleece, and Zeus going on historical first dates as an ant, Horrible Histories presents mythical mayhe ...
26-03-2025
CBBC