Arena
Arena is a documentary on BBC2. The gold standard for arts documentaries, from 1975 to the present day. A cultural map of the world’s greatest artists and musicians, as captured by exceptional film-makers. The program has been available since 2023. A total of 23 episodes have been broadcast, most recently in August 2024.
Last episode
Arena
Profile celebrating the centenary of the famous author Agatha Christie’s birth. Looking at her life, her character and the key moments in her childhood that influenced her writing.
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Through the words of James Baldwin, this film touches on the lives and assassinations of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr and Medgar Evers.
Alan Yentob interviews TV dramatist Dennis Potter about his work through the years, touching on subjects such as why and how he started writing and his attempt to enter politics.
Documentary about Casa Verdi, a rambling mansion in the city of Milan that once belonged to the composer Guiseppe Verdi but is now a home for retired musicians.
Adrian Thrills investigates 2 Tone, the exhilarating musical blend of reggae, rock, soul, ska, blue beat and punk, which took the country by storm in the late 70s and early 80s.
Documentary about the life of Frankie Howerd, with help from friends and colleagues and including highlights from his TV and film career.
Documentary looking at the short but brilliant career of legendary rock 'n' roll star Buddy Holly. Features interviews with contemporaries and fans including Paul McCartney.
Peggy Sue Gerron Rackham, the inspiration behind two Buddy Holly songs, tells how they both came to be written and provides some fresh insights into Holly's tragically short career.
Painter and author John Byrne's diverse and inventive autobiography, in which he travels from his youth, through his art school years, his stage and TV plays and on to his death.
Profile of Orson Welles, looking at films including The Trial, Chimes at Midnight, The Immortal Story and F for Fake and discussing his unfinished projects, including Don Quixote.
Profile of Orson Welles, looking at his life and career in theatre, radio and particularly film. This part deals with his work up to Touch of Evil.
Episodes 2023
An investigation of the appeal and power of the popular song My Way, which was written by Paul Anka and was recorded by many artists, including Frank Sinatra.
Once dubbed the 'king of cool', a look at the man behind the silky voice as Tony Bennett - civil rights activist, jazz enthusiast, painter and New Yorker - takes a tour around his native city.
Director Billy Wilder discusses his career with German film-maker Volker Schlondorff.
Dame Beryl Bainbridge takes an idiosyncratic tour of the last 20 years of writer and poet Samuel Johnson's turbulent life, focusing on his relationship with Hester Thrale.
Second of three in-depth conversations with the film director and writer Billy Wilder. He recalls his memories of the great Hollywood stars, including Mae West and Humphrey Bogart.
Film exploring the life of one of the most celebrated icons of early cinema. Louise Brooks talks about her days in Paris and Berlin and the harsh retribution exacted by Hollywood.
Writer Peter Shaffer talks about his plays, his life and the theatre. With an extract from the 1976 stage production of Equus, starring Colin Blakely and Gerry Sundquist.
Director Billy Wilder discusses his career with German film-maker Volker Schlondorff, reminiscing about his early years in Hollywood and his emotional return to postwar Berlin.
Writer Armistead Maupin tells the story behind his Tales of the City novels and introduces some of the San Franciscans who provided the inspiration for his characters