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
Series 7: 14. Awesome Ancient Civilisations Special
Horrible Histories presents our guide to Ancient Civilizations, featuring new sketches about Alexander the Great's first kiss, Emperor Nero's greatest hits, and how double parki ...
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CBBC
Series 7: 13. Savage Song Special
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Series 10: 6. Ruinous Rivals
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Series 10: 5. Hideous Homes
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CBBC
Series 10: 3. Foul Football
In honour of the Women’s World Cup, legendary Lioness Jill Scott is joined by Rattus for a journey through the history of the beautiful game.\n\nAlthough football as we kn ...
18-01-2025
CBBC
Series 7: 12. Deadly Dynasties
A look at the deadliest dynasties and how they came to, and then held on to, power. Witness Aggrippina's deadly recipes for success and Napoleon's needy sister, how the Lancastr ...
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CBBC
Series 7: 11. Formidable Florence Nightingale
Horrible Histories pays tribute to Formidable Florence Nightingale, The Lady with the Lamp (just don't let Florence hear you calling her that!) The programme charts how Florence ...
16-01-2025
CBBC
Series 10: 1. Daft Dads
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05-01-2025
CBBC
Series 5 - Episode 11
Historical sketch show. Prime Ministers Neville Chamberlain and Winston Churchill argue online over what to do about Adolf Hitler.
08-03-2024
CBBC
Series 8: 8. Putrid Politics
Rattus has formed ‘The Demoratic Party’, and has enlisted the help of a political advisor - Dani Dyer - to help him rise to political power. Although Dani may be a s ...
29-03-2022
CBBC
Series 8: 7. Moon Mayhem
Comedian and space nerd Dara O Briain joins Rattus as guest host for a special show that marks the anniversary of the 1969 moon landings.\n\nFor generations, we have looked to t ...
13-11-2024
CBBC
Series 7: 11. Formidable Florence Nightingale
Horrible Histories pays tribute to Formidable Florence Nightingale, The Lady with the Lamp (just don't let Florence hear you calling her that!) The programme charts how Florence ...
16-01-2025
CBBC
Specials: 'orrible Opera
Henry VIII, Queen Victoria and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart are our hosts for a special live concert as part of the BBC Proms season at London’s Royal Albert Hall, introducing ...
01-01-2025
CBBC
Series 4 - Episode 11
Historical sketch show. Dr Culpeper invites us all to his highly unhealthy health spa, a Crusader knight competes on Historical MasterChef.
20-12-2023
CBBC
Series 7: 13. Savage Song Special
Horrible Histories presents a collection of some of history's finest songs, as Rattus attempts to put together his own festival (the delightfully named Glastonsmelly). From sing ...
20-01-2025
CBBC