As Kenneth Branagh prepares to unveil the latest version of Death on the Nile, Celia Imrie looks at how the classic murder mysteries of the great Agatha Christie have been treated by film-makers over the years.\n\nChristie was the queen of crime on the page, but here we discover why that wasn’t always the case on the big screen. Using a selection of BBC interviews and archive material, we piece together a tale of creative highs and lows, featuring Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple and many of the all-star acting heavyweights who helped turn some of the films into box office gold, proving in their own way that in the cinema, crime does pay.
Source: BBC 2
Series 2: 1. Jack Lemmon
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by Some Like It Hot and Days of Wine and Roses star Jack Lemmon, with interviews from the archive and classic ...
06-02-2025
BBC 2
Paul Newman
An examination of the life of actor Paul Newman, using rarely seen interviews from the BBC archives to tell the story of a career that made him one of Hollywood's greatest stars.
23-01-2025
BBC 2
Richard Attenborough
A look at the life and work of Richard Attenborough, with interviews and archive clips illustrating a career that has made him one of British cinema's most popular figures.
02-01-2025
BBC 2
Christmas Classics
Celia Imrie unwraps a selection of the very best Christmas movies ever made and looks at why films are such an important part of the festive ritual. From ‘It’s A Won ...
24-12-2024
BBC 2
John Mills
A look back at television appearances made over the years by the Oscar-winning actor Sir John Mills, capturing the milestones of his life and career.
24-12-2024
BBC 2
Judi Dench
Sylvia Syms presents rarely seen footage from the BBC archives that explores the life and career of one of Britain's best-loved actors, Dame Judi Dench.
15-12-2024
BBC 2
Dames
Celia Imrie takes a look at some of the leading ladies who’ve proved time and again, year after year, that they are amongst the very best of British talent. These are our ...
08-12-2024
BBC 2
Bette Davis
A look back at television appearances made over the years by Hollywood legend Bette Davis, capturing the milestones of her life and career. Narrated by Sylvia Syms.
24-10-2024
BBC 2
Maggie Smith
Sylvia Syms presents rarely seen footage from the BBC archives that explores the life and career of one of Britain's best-loved actresses, Maggie Smith.
28-09-2024
BBC 2
Dustin Hoffman
When Dustin Hoffman first told his family he wanted to act, the response was: 'You can’t, you’re not good-looking enough.' Despite that initial response, Hoffman wen ...
04-01-2024
BBC 2
Marvellous Musicals
Celia Imrie celebrates the cinema’s marvellous musicals, venturing back through the BBC’s archives to look at film’s most joyous and arguably enduring genre.\n ...
09-12-2023
BBC 2
Epics
Sylvia Syms looks through the BBC archive to discover what makes an epic. The programme looks at the history of epics, which featured lavish budgets and huge sets, from the Ten ...
06-02-2021
BBC 2
Film’s Family Favourites
From Harry Potter, Mary Poppins and Paddington to Indiana Jones, E.T. and Back to the Future – join Celia Imrie as we go bobbing along through the beautiful, briny BBC arc ...
17-07-2022
BBC 2
Series 2: 4. Albert Finney
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by award-winning actor Albert Finney, with interviews from the archive and classic clips capturing the milesto ...
29-08-2021
BBC 2
Roger Moore
Sylvia Syms explores the BBC archives for a look back at the life and career of one of Britain's best-loved actors, Sir Roger Moore, who died in 2017, just months before his 90t ...
30-12-2019
BBC 2
4. Gene Kelly
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by the legendary Hollywood actor and dancer Gene Kelly, capturing the milestones and highlights of his life an ...
29-10-2022
BBC 2
Rom Coms
Celia Imrie takes a moonlit stroll through the BBC archives to explore one of the best-loved movie genres - the romantic comedy. With classic interviews from cinematic couples l ...
26-02-2022
BBC 2
Series 1: 15. Charlton Heston
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by Oscar winning Hollywood actor Charlton Heston, capturing the milestones and highlights of his life and care ...
23-05-2024
BBC 2