The latest national and international news, exploring the day's events from a global perspective.
The backstreets of Weymouth seem an unlikely spot to explore railway history, but Julia discovers there was once a short railway that ran south from Weymouth and across the unique coastal features of Chesil Beach and Portland. The walk is the ideal platform for learning about the history of Portland Harbour and the tied isle's most famous export, Portland stone.
Documentary about Falklands War veteran and ex-firefighter Jim Armstrong, who is now a farmer in Dorset.
The film follows Jim through 2007 as he helps to raise a herd of traditional Longhorn cattle and his own flock of sheep. Sad echoes of his war experiences 25 years earlier resurface at times, but they never dent his optimistic spirit or his delight in selling meat locally and spending his days in the great Dorset outdoors.
Documentary series about the weather. This episode looks at snow, that most fleeting and beautiful of elements which endlessly fascinates us.
Using rare footage, we journey into the microscopically small world of the snow crystal, finding out how a snowflake forms and why it is always six-sided.
The science of snow tests British Rail's claim that the snow that crippled their rolling stock in 1991 really was the 'wrong type of snow', and explains how, thanks to a scientific discovery, a British company became the world's leading producer of snow.
French crime thriller series. Pierre Clemente finally resolves to have friend Benoit Faye arrested in connection with the Andrescu case, unwittingly putting Benoit's life in danger. Meanwhile, lawyer Josephine Karlsson is called in to defend a young man accused of rape, while blackmailed Gilout is compromised.
French crime thriller series. With Benoit Faye in intensive care following an assassination attempt, the prosecution in the Andrescu case has lost its main witness. The shady events leading up to the double murder of the Andrescu sisters are reconstructed through Benoit's memories - from his relationship with beautiful Elina to the involvement of debauched ministerial advisor Arnaud Laborde.
French drama about the return of a long-disappeared father to the family home, and the discord that arises from his observations of what he finds. With his father entering his world again Jean-Luc, a successful doctor, is forced to face his own life story and also to learn how to forget and forgive.
TUESDAY 21 APRIL 2009
TUE 19:00 World News Today (b00jzjmn)
The latest national and international news, exploring the day's events from a global perspective.
TUE 19:30 Landscape Mysteries (b0074rh5)
In Search of Irish Gold
Undertaking the first of eight quests across the British Isles, Professor Aubrey Manning seeks clues to uncover a lost Irish Eldorado. Spectacular hoards of gold objects show Bronze Age people in Ireland had access to large amounts of the precious metal. But where did these preshistoric metalworkers find it? Could dramatic changes in the landscape over time provide the key to the success of these ancient prospectors?
TUE 20:00 Ian Hislop's Scouting for Boys (b007hfx3)
Robert Baden-Powell's handbook Scouting for Boys, written in 1908, may be largely forgotten today, but it is one of the most influential and best-selling books of all time. In the 20th century, only the Bible, the Koran and the Thoughts of Chairman Mao sold more. But they had fewer jokes, no pictures and were useless at important stuff like tying knots.
In this entertaining and affectionate film, Ian Hislop uncovers the story behind the book which kick-started the Scout Movement - a work which is very eccentric, very Edwardian and very British.
Ian discovers that the book is actually very radical and addresses all sorts of issues that we think of as modern, such as citizenship, disaffected youth and social responsibility. He explores the maverick brilliance of Baden-Powell, a national celebrity after his heroism in the Boer War, and considers the book's candid focus on health and wellbeing - from the importance of what Baden-Powell called a 'daily rear' to his infamous warning on the dangers of masturbation.
Contributors include his grandson Lord Baden-Powell, minister for culture and former cub scout David Lammy, biographer Tim Jeal and Elleke Boehmer, editor of the re-issue of the original Scouting for Boys.
TUE 21:00 Marcus Brigstocke's Trophy People (b0074tbq)
Series 1
Debating
Comedian Marcus Brigstocke attends the World Youth Debating Championship in Cardiff, with the four talented youngsters from Team England the favourites to win. He wants to know if they are normal teenagers and if debating can be fun, especially when done under pressure to win.
TUE 21:30 I've Never Seen Star Wars (b00jwck4)
Series 1
Nigel Havers
Marcus Brigstocke hosts a chat show in which he invites his guest Nigel Havers to step out of his comfort zone and try some new experiences for the first time.
TUE 22:00 Mad Men (b00jzjmq)
Series 2
The Jet Set
Drama series which takes an unflinching look at the world of advertising in 1960s New York.
Don takes a business trip to Los Angeles, where he has some 'Joy'. Peggy's in the mood for an office romance and Duck contemplates the future at Sterling Cooper. Roger looks to make a radical change to his life.
TUE 22:45 The Thick of It (b007rv87)
Special: The Rise of the Nutters
Special double-length episode of the award-winning political comedy. It's the end of the Christmas recess, and peace and goodwill should reign in Westminster. But something goes terribly wrong on Newsnight and everything begins to unravel. Can Malcolm Tucker survive as the PM's enemies in government and the opposition bid for power?
TUE 23:45 Citizen Smith (b008py02)
Hartlepool
Publisher Michael Smith takes on the guise of a contemporary Citizen Smith, scouring England in search of a modern day definition of nationality. Beginning in his home town of Hartlepool, he encounters Andy Capp, the Monkey mascot mayor, Tory developers and the next generation of local voices, combining his skill for a sweet turn of phrase with a disarming conversational style that forgoes the sledgehammer whilst very definitely cracking the nut.
TUE 00:15 Citizen Smith (b008s9l8)
London
Writer Michael Smith takes on the guise of a contemporary Citizen Smith, scouring England in search of a modern day definition of nationality. He hits the working waterways and dark satanic malls of the Thames Estuary, uncovers the shocking existence of 'food deserts' in the shadow of Europe's largest shopping centre and catches the proverbial worm on the early shift at Billingsgate fish market, as English traders grudgingly rub shoulders with an increasingly-powerful immigrant clientele.
TUE 00:45 Citizen Smith (b008vs26)
Members
Writer Michael Smith takes on the guise of a contemporary Citizen Smith, scouring England in search of a modern day definition of nationality. He investigates what it takes to become a member of the nation's rich assortment of private clubs and ends up banging his head on the glass ceiling, voicing the frustrations most have felt when stuck outside somewhere nice. The Colony Rooms, The Athenaeum, the Dangerous Sports Club and the arrival hall at Heathrow all feature.
TUE 01:15 Citizen Smith (b008x3yx)
Religion
Writer Michael Smith takes on the guise of a contemporary Citizen Smith, scouring England in search of a modern day definition of nationality. He weighs up the relative appeal of traditional religions versus a nation in thrall to the gods of Ikea and mass consumerism. Gospel churches, mass evangelical gatherings and even the witches and warlocks of middle England come under his scrutiny, as he witnesses a hilltop stand off between pagans and morris dancers at a sunrise celebration.
TUE 01:45 Citizen Smith (b008yvz2)
Mavericks
Writer Michael Smith takes on the guise of a contemporary Citizen Smith, scouring the country in search of a modern day definition of nationality. He celebrates the quintessentially English mavericks who feel at liberty to buck the system by doing it themselves and doing it their way. Richard Wilson, the Rubbish Men, Colin Pillinger and his Beagle mission to Mars are all considered worthy, as Smith flies the flag for the only country in the world that uses the word eccentric as a compliment.
TUE 02:15 Citizen Smith (b0090b8b)
Corby
Writer Michael Smith takes on the guise of a contemporary Citizen Smith, scouring the country in search of a modern day definition of nationality. In the final part, Smith attacks the English lack of national pride. After viewing a pitiful turnout for St George's Day celebrations at Trafalgar Square, he travels to Corby in Northamptonshire, a town flooded by Scottish steel workers in the 1970s. He compares the Scots who he believes still define themselves by national identity to his English countrymen who do not.
TUE 02:45 I've Never Seen Star Wars (b00jwck4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:30 today]
TUE 03:15 The Thick of It (b007rv87)
[Repeat of broadcast at
22:45 today]
WEDNESDAY 22 APRIL 2009
WED 19:00 World News Today (b00jzjs2)
The latest national and international news, exploring the day's events from a global perspective.
WED 19:30 Wainwright Walks: Coast to Coast (b00jwck2)
The Heart of the Lakes
Julia Bradbury follows in the footsteps of legendary guidebook writer Alfred Wainwright by walking across the whole of northern England from the west to the east coast.
This was Wainwright's last great venture and has become his greatest legacy - a beautifully simple proposition, linking three national parks that lie between the Irish and the North Sea.
36 years after its creation, Julia is off through sunshine, wind and rain, to cross the changing landscape, understand the history and meet the people that make up almost 200 miles of northern England.
Over three mountain ranges and across three valleys, the second stage of Julia's journey is a grand traverse of Wainwright's much-loved Lake District. Having shrugged off the rain, Julia ends with the epic 17-mile final day in the Lakes, including the length of Haweswater and the highest peak on the entire walk.
WED 20:00 Victorian Farm (b00gstnk)
Episode 2
Historical observational documentary series following a team who live the life of Victorian farmers for a year. Wearing period clothes and using only the materials that would have been available in 1885, historian Ruth Goodman and archaeologists Alex Langlands and Peter Ginn are going back in time to relive the day-to-day life of the Victorian farmer.
The project is based on the Acton Scott estate in Shropshire - a world frozen in time, lost in Victorian rural England. Its buildings and grounds are cluttered with antique tools and machinery collected by the Acton family who have lived on the estate since the 12th century.
Working for a full calendar year, Ruth, Alex and Peter rediscover a lost world of skills, crafts and knowledge, assisted by an ever-dwindling band of experts who keep Victorian rural practices alive. Each month and season brings pressing priorities, from tending to livestock and repairing buildings to raising crops, preparing food and crafting furniture and tools. Can they make a success of farming the Victorian way?
As autumn ends, winter-proofing begins in earnest - essential work if the livestock and crops are to make it through the cold and frost. The team stock up on animal feed using a host of Victorian machinery. Peter faces his biggest challenge so far - building pigsties. Ruth tackles the laundry, a gruelling four-day process that Victorians tackled weekly. The ram arrives on the farm - ensuring he gets the ewes pregnant is essential if they are to produce lambs in the spring. The team take delivery of a Shire horse and Alex learns to drive him. And there is a traditional Victorian Christmas to look forward to, including decorations, cookery and church carols. They celebrate Christmas Day with friends they have made over the past four months.
WED 21:00 Mud, Sweat and Tractors: The Story of Agriculture (b00jzjs4)
Fruit and Veg
A look at the changes in the way fruit and veg was grown, picked and sold, told through three of the staples in the British landscape - apples, strawberries and tomatoes.
Home movies and archive footage reveal the extent of the revolution in how the fruit was picked and the impact supermarkets had on the fortunes of the small- and medium-sized growers.
WED 22:00 Wainwright Walks: Coast to Coast (b00jwck2)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:30 today]
WED 22:30 Newswipe (b00jzjs6)
Series 1
Episode 5
Charlie Brooker sets his satirical sights on news and current affairs.
WED 23:00 I've Never Seen Star Wars (b00jwck4)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:30 on Tuesday]
WED 23:30 Pop Britannia (b008ptkd)
Two Tribes
Three-part documentary series telling the story of popular music and its place in British culture since the 1950s. This last part looks at the constant struggle between the forces of art and commerce. In the early 80s, punk-inspired art students such as The Human League and ABC took British pop to the top of the world's charts, but from the late 80s onwards, dynasties of star-makers such as Stock Aitken and Waterman have tried to mould British pop into a highly-profitable production line.
WED 00:30 Pop on Trial (b008ptfj)
1970s
Stuart Maconie puts pop in the dock to decide which has been the most influential musical decade. Pete Shelley of the Buzzcocks, Gaz Coombes of Supergrass and David Quantick make the case for the 1970s, the decade of glam, funk, punk and disco.
WED 01:30 Batman (b008096z)
Series 1
The Joker is Wild
60s superhero series. Batman and Robin are nearly undone by the Joker when he fashions his own fiendish Utility Belt.
WED 01:55 Batman (b008098r)
Series 1
Batman is Riled
Fantasy adventure series. Batman and Robin are nearly undone by the Joker when he fashions a fiendish gas.
WED 02:20 Mad Men (b009wxc0)
Series 1
Red in the Face
Drama series which takes an unflinching look at the world of advertising in 1960s New York. When Roger and Don hit the town together, Roger's behaviour puts a strain on their relationship.
WED 03:10 Mad Men (b00b09hw)
Series 1
The Hobo Code
Drama series set in the world of advertising in 1960s New York. Peggy and Peter get intimate in the office. Salvatore is in demand by both sexes. Don has a flashback to his youth where a hobo comes to his house looking for food and work and reveals the legendary 'hobo code'.
THURSDAY 23 APRIL 2009
THU 19:00 World News Today (b00jzjw2)
The latest national and international news, exploring the day's events from a global perspective.
THU 19:40 The New Avengers (b00k21gl)
Series 2
The Trap
Seventies action drama series. Steed, Purdey and Gambit incur the wrath of a Chinese drug baron when they foil a ten-million-pound exchange. Lured to a deserted airfield, the trio find themselves aboard a pilotless plane.
THU 20:30 Wainwright Walks: Coast to Coast (b00jzjyq)
Eden and the Pennines
Julia Bradbury follows in the footsteps of legendary guidebook writer Alfred Wainwright by walking across the whole of northern England from the west to the east coast.
This was Wainwright's last great venture and has become his greatest legacy - a beautifully simple proposition, linking three national parks that lie between the Irish and the North Sea.
36 years after its creation, Julia is off, through sunshine, wind and rain to cross the changing landscape, understand the history and meet the people that make up almost 200 miles of northern England.
Julia sets off across the Eden Valley, a sparse land today but full of signs of ancient and uncertain human habitation. Kirkby Stephen is the one bustling modern outpost on this section, the launchpad for Julia's climb up and over the Pennines. The spine of England is a landmark on the walk, but during the wettest autumn in memory it is a major, boggy challenge.
THU 21:00 Who Killed the Honey Bee? (b00jzjys)
Bees are dying in their millions. It is an ecological crisis that threatens to bring global agriculture to a standstill. Introduced by Martha Kearney, this documentary explores the reasons behind the decline of bee colonies across the globe, investigating what might be at the root of this devastation.
Honey bees are the number one insect pollinator on the planet, responsible for the production of over 90 crops. Apples, berries, cucumbers, nuts, cabbages and even cotton will struggle to be produced if bee colonies continue to decline at the current rate. Empty hives have been reported from as far afield as Taipei and Tennessee. In England, the matter has caused beekeepers to march on Parliament to call on the government to fund research into what they say is potentially a bigger threat to humanity than the current financial crisis.
Investigating the problem from a global perspective, the programme makers travel from the farm belt of California to the flatlands of East Anglia to the outback of Australia. They talk to the beekeepers whose livelihoods are threatened by colony collapse disorder, the scientists entrusted with solving the problem, and the Australian beekeepers who are making a fortune replacing the planet's dying bees. They also look at some of the possible reasons for the declining numbers - is it down to a bee plague, pesticides, malnutrition? Or is the answer something even more frightening?
THU 22:00 Crooked House (b00gf5sy)
The Knocker
When schoolteacher Ben unearths an old door knocker in the garden of his new home, the curator suggests it may come from the now-demolished house, reputed to be haunted. Ben prompts the curator to tell him two stories about the house's past.
Back in the present day, commitment-shy Ben begins to discover that, though demolished, Geap Manor casts a long shadow. Having recently left his girlfriend Hannah for a life of excitement over cosy domesticity, he is excited by the curator's stories and screws the ancient door knocker to his new front door. However, he soon finds himself getting more excitement than he bargained for as the past begins to intrude rudely with a loud knock at the door in the night and a terrifying journey into Geap Manor's bloody past.
THU 22:30 I've Never Seen Star Wars (b00k21gn)
Series 1
David Davis
Marcus Brigstocke invites his guest, politician David Davis, to try some new cultural experiences for the first time.
THU 23:00 Newswipe (b00jzjs6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
22:30 on Wednesday]
THU 23:30 Who Killed the Honey Bee? (b00jzjys)
[Repeat of broadcast at
21:00 today]
THU 00:30 I've Never Seen Star Wars (b00k21gn)
[Repeat of broadcast at
22:30 today]
THU 01:00 Newswipe (b00jzjs6)
[Repeat of broadcast at
22:30 on Wednesday]
THU 01:30 Crooked House (b00gf5sy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
22:00 today]
THU 02:00 Wainwright Walks: Coast to Coast (b00jzjyq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
20:30 today]
THU 02:30 The New Avengers (b00k2sf2)
Series 2
The Trap
Seventies action drama series. Steed, Purdey and Gambit incur the wrath of a Chinese drug baron when they foil a ten-million-pound exchange. Lured to a deserted airfield, the trio find themselves aboard a pilotless plane.
THU 03:25 Crooked House (b00gf5sy)
[Repeat of broadcast at
22:00 today]
FRIDAY 24 APRIL 2009
FRI 19:00 World News Today (b00jzk86)
The latest national and international news, exploring the day's events from a global perspective.
FRI 19:30 Spartacus (b00jzk88)
The Bolshoi Ballet perform their signature work Spartacus, staged in Paris in January 2008 and featuring the Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta in the title role. This epic work by Khatchaturian tells the story of the gladiator-slave who became the leader of an unsuccessful slave uprising against the Roman Republic.
FRI 21:50 imagine... (b007c3hv)
Summer 2003
Carlos Acosta: The Reluctant Ballet Dancer
Alan Yentob tells the inspirational story of Carlos Acosta, the gifted dancer who made the leap from the backstreets of Havana to become the first black principal dancer at the Royal Ballet.
The film follows Acosta over six months as he embarks on the biggest challenge of his life - producing and choreographing his own show based on his upbringing in Cuba.
FRI 22:30 BBC Four Sessions (b00jzk8b)
Marianne Faithfull
1960's It Girl-turned-arthouse singer, Marianne Faithfull, exudes charm in a performance in front of an intimate audience of friends and fans at LSO St Luke's in east London.
A great band accompany her on an eclectic mix of songs from her critically-acclaimed covers album Easy Come Easy Go, including The Decemberists' The Crane Wife 3, Morrissey's Dear God, Please Help Me, Dolly Parton's Down From Dover and Randy Newman's chilling In Germany Before the War.
There are also dips into the past, with her first ever live performance of the original 1960s arrangement of As Tears Go By, plus the early Jagger-Richards song Sister Morphine.
FRI 23:30 Mad Men (b00jzjmq)
[Repeat of broadcast at
22:00 on Tuesday]
FRI 00:20 The New Avengers (b00k21gl)
[Repeat of broadcast at
19:40 on Thursday]
FRI 01:10 Mark Lawson Talks To... (b00jzj74)
[Repeat of broadcast at
22:20 on Sunday]
FRI 02:10 All About Abigail's Party (b008569h)
[Repeat of broadcast at
23:50 on Sunday]
FRI 03:10 BBC Four Sessions (b00jzk8b)
[Repeat of broadcast at
22:30 today]