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 went on to become one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, and here we look back on a career that started with the huge 1967 hit The Graduate and saw him winning Oscars for Kramer vs Kramer and Rain Man. \n\nMoments from interviews conducted on a range of BBC shows over the years help to tell the story of Dustin Hoffman and his films and to build a picture of the man who a director once described as 'one of a kind and he's not one character. There is no Dustin Hoffman. He is many, many people'.
Source: 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
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.
03-10-2024
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
Sophia Loren
An examination of the life and career of one of cinema's most glamorous stars, Sophia Loren, with rarely seen archive material telling the story of her hugely successful career.
19-09-2024
BBC 2
Lauren Bacall
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by Hollywood icon Lauren Bacall, following the changes and highlights of her life and career.
16-09-2024
BBC 2
33. Michael Caine
A look at the life of acting legend Michael Caine, using rarely seen television interviews and classic archive clips to tell the story of one Britain's most successful actors. N ...
08-09-2024
BBC 2
18. Alfred Hitchcock
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by iconic Hollywood director Alfred Hitchcock, reflecting on the milestones and highlights of his life and car ...
15-08-2024
BBC 2
Robert Redford
The career of Robert Redford is examined in this exploration of the BBC archives, which includes rarely-seen interviews. Narrated by Sylvia Syms.
16-11-2023
BBC 2
Series 2: 2. Shelley Winters
A look at television appearances made over the years by Oscar-winning actress Shelley Winters, with interviews from the archive and classic clips capturing the milestones and hi ...
06-02-2020
BBC 2
Perfect Partners
A look back at some of cinema’s best-loved partnerships, from Fred and Ginger, Doris Day and Rock Hudson, to Newman and Redford, and even Nick Frost and Simon Pegg. With i ...
29-06-2024
BBC 2
Jane Fonda
As double-Oscar winner Jane Fonda approaches her 80th birthday, Sylvia Syms explores the BBC archives for a look back at the life of one of Hollywood's most successful and contr ...
06-04-2020
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 ...
14-05-2023
BBC 2
Alec Guinness
A retrospective look at television appearances made over the years by Alec Guinness, capturing the milestones and highlights of his life and career.
05-06-2024
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
Sophia Loren
An examination of the life and career of one of cinema's most glamorous stars, Sophia Loren, with rarely seen archive material telling the story of her hugely successful career.
19-09-2024
BBC 2