British writer Agatha Christie (1890-1976) published her first novel in 1920, in which the eccentric Belgian private sleuth Hercule Poirot made his debut. Later, in 1927, the first short story starring the gentle spinster Miss Jane Marple appeared. A fascinating journey through popular culture in search of the footprints of two of the most charismatic characters in crime and mystery literature.
During a bizarre chapter of WWII, Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels decided to make a movie based on the sinking of the Titanic. This epic film was so large in scale that the Nazis were forced to divert men, material and ships from the war effort in order to complete it. Titanic was filmed aboard cruise ship SS Cap Arcona in the Baltic Sea. The movie’s director Herbert Selpin was arrested by the Gestapo over comments he made about the ship’s crew and he was questioned by Goebbels. Selpin was found dead the next day in his cell. The Gestapo’s verdict was suicide. Titanic never received the impressive premiere that Goebbels intended, being first shown in Nazi-occupied Paris in 1943. We reveal this little known but fascinating story by looking at the making of the film, as well as the fate of the German ship Cap Arcona.
Unpacking and questioning the evidence used to convict neonatal nurse Lucy Letby.
The true story of Stephanie Slater, a British estate agent who was kidnapped, raped, and held for ransom by Michael Sams, who imprisoned her in a coffin-like box for eight days.
Behind-the-scenes stories from the long-running sci-fi drama. There are tales of stunts that went dangerously wrong and secrets of how the crew brought monsters to life, as well as revelations about how some storylines proved to be so scary the BBC were forced to re-edit episodes.
From glorious wagyu beef to luscious lobster, this special takes viewers to the world's most decadent buffets for heaping plates of luxurious food.
Comedy about a brilliant young brain surgeon set in an unorthodox hospital. A "Naked Gun" type comedy from Britain, this one-off special was made specifically for the launch of Channel 5 in 1997.
Surpassed only by the Bible and Shakespeare, Agatha Christie is the most successful writer of all time. We all know her characters and incredible plot twists, but what do we know about Agatha herself? Combining rare access to Agatha's family, her personal archive and speaking to those who know her work best, discover what made the world's most successful crime writer tick.
Documentary revealing the shocking story of how Richard Spencer was subjected to years of abuse at the hands of his wife Sheree. This is the disturbing tale of the suffering that Richard endured, with compelling footage of the abuse captured on camera and in audio recordings, as well as written testimonials.
Unsettling medical details on the JFK assassination are disclosed by seven doctors who were in the ER during a futile effort to save his life in 1963.
Give them massive numbers, that’ll impress them. The Secret Life of the Long Haul Flight (Channel 5) is one of those documentaries that does that, right from the off: each year, 300 million passengers fly more than 6bn miles on long-haul flights. Some of them on an Airbus A380, which costs £280m, carries 484 passengers, is 73 metres long, 25 metres high ...
An exploration of immigration in Britain over the half century since Conservative MP Enoch Powell made his controversial speech. Issues surrounding race, religion, integration and multiculturalism are examined.
Agatha Christie was born in Torquay on England's south coast. In a career spanning over half a century, the prolific crime writer was inspired by the landscapes and character of her home country, much of which featured in her novels. This heart-warming documentary takes viewers on a literary tour of England - focusing on the most interesting locations featured in some of her best-known books.
A biopic drama-documentary about the 'King of Pop', that mixes real footage and new interviews with people around him (most notably his mother Katherine Jackson) with re-enactments of times of Michael's life until his untimely death on the 25th of June in 2009.
Original interviews, rare archive footage and a lot of music, retelling the story of one of the most successful pop groups of all time.
Thirty years on from the trial that shocked the world, new documents reveals what happened in the courtroom hearing from the lawyers, jurors and witnesses who were there.
Twenty-six-year-old Shani Warren was found drowned in Taplow Lake, Buckinghamshire, with her hands tied and feet bound together in 1987. Revealing how it took a forensic breakthrough to solve the 35-year mystery of the death of The Lady in the Lake.
Documentary examining the unique connections the singer shared with Britain, and what made the UK such a sanctuary for him. The programme features contributions from some of those who were closest to him, from his own children to friend Elvis Costello, as well as celebrity fans including Jools Holland and Freddie Flintoff.
25 years after the verdict in the Jamie Bulger murder trial, we reveal what the jury, public and press never heard, and what his two killers, Thompson and Venables, said during their time in custody from arrest to release.
Biographical documentary about the life and career of the film star. What lies behind the extraordinary success of a man sometimes described as a nice guy who came first.
