Much Ado About Shakespeare

MUCH ADO ABOUT SHAKESPEARE follows Steven Wadlow, a window cleaner who believes that a painted portrait that has been hanging above his family’s television set for over half a century may be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Over eleven years, Steven embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about the portrait, visiting some of the world’s top art institutions. The history of the painting suggests it could be a missing portrait of William Shakespeare that had been painted during his lifetime. Facial comparison software shows a striking resemblance to The Bard, more so than any known image. Despite the art world’s skepticism, Steven’s breakthrough comes in Paris, where a renowned expert, who has examined masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, confirms his discovery. This captivating film uncovers the mystery behind a painting that could rewrite history and change Steven’s life forever.

Marilyn Monroe: Auction Of A Lifetime

In November 2016, a Los Angeles auction house hosted an auction like no other: 500 lots of the rarest, most valuable and most sought-after of Marilyn Monroe’s possessions. The auction attracted huge worldwide attention and broke records for a 20th century icon. With exclusive access to the auction, this film reveals the most dazzling and personal of the lots, including many of her personal letters, and the dresses she wore in her defining performances in Some Like It Hot and when singing "Happy Birthday Mr. President”. Through these items we tell the true story of her life, and reveal the real Marilyn as we have never seen her before.

Saving Places

Saving history - one building at a time. SAVING PLACES documents the hands-on restoration of a threatened but historically meaningful building by a team of artisans who use the materials, designs and craftsmanship of a bygone era.

Diana Interview: Revenge Of A Princess

Twenty-five years ago, a stunned world watched as Diana, Princess of Wales poured her heart out on national television. She revealed a royal marriage in crisis, infidelities on both sides and a degree of personal misery that had made her seriously ill. It was watershed television, affecting public perceptions of the monarchy and prompting a constitutional crisis. But what had led to this remarkable moment? In this two-part series we hear from those who witnessed the marriage descend into tragedy and, through previously unseen documents and footage, as well as eyewitness testimony from inside the interview room, discover how and why this extraordinary interview came about.

Pride And Prostitution

From brothels for the working-classes to highly secretive high-society sex clubs, PRIDE AND PROSTITUTION follows the true account of Fanny Murray, the woman who rose from street vendor to darling of the Royal court by working her way up the sex ladder. With expert testimony from Regency sex historians and dramatic reconstruction following Fanny’s life; PRIDE AND PROSTITUTION throws candlelight into the shadows of the Georgian sex industry and discovers that it was anything but a period of high morals and sexual restraint.

8 Days That Made Rome

Award-winning historian and host, Bettany Hughes, travels across the Roman world in this eight-part landmark history of ancient Rome. Across the series we explore eight key days that define the Roman Empire's remarkable success, and the series of events which would ultimately culminate in the end of Rome’s republic.

Ultimate Tutankhamun

Nearly a century after Howard Carter’s momentous discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun, Egyptologist Dr Chris Naunton returns to Carter’s vast excavation files. Hidden amongst thousands of notes he has uncovered clues that point to a mysterious burning of the Boy King’s mummy. But this mystery of the burnt mummy also provides a fresh new clue to the greatest enigma of Ancient Egypt – what caused the young pharaoh’s death. Combined with new, historical evidence of Tutankhamun leading the charge in Egypt’s foreign wars what emerges is a new image of this young ruler – and a tragic death.

The Weapon Hunter

Meet Paul Shull. Rock n’ roll promoter and expert swordsman. Backed by a crack team of experts with years of experience in tracking down the finest military specimens, he’s in pursuit of North America’s most collectible artifacts. Hellbent on finding them, and telling their remarkable stories.

Witches of Salem

WITCHES OF SALEM is a docu-drama that unravels the hysteria that unfolded during the Salem witch trials, and led to the execution of 20 women in an affluent New England community. Stories of possession by the devil led to mass arrests, sensational trials and even public hangings in the town square. WITCHES OF SALEM is a real-life horror story - with young teenage girls tragically accused and convicted by the shadowy adults lurking in the background. The series draws on extensive historical documents and court records to bring this gripping drama to life. Sociologists, psychologists, and cultural historians also illustrate how communities are still susceptible to the same hysteria today. *Nominated, Best History Documentary Program or Series, Canadian Screen Awards

The Real Hunt For Red October

This two part docu-drama reveals, for the first time, the astonishing secret story behind the Russian submarine, Red October. The blockbuster movie The Hunt for Red October tells the story of a rogue Soviet nuclear submarine attempting to defect to the US while being hunted by both the American and Soviet Navies. Based on the best-selling novel by Tom Clancy, it reveals the technology, drama and character of an underwater battle. What few realise is that the book and film were inspired by a classified nuclear confrontation that some believe changed the course of world history.