History

China's last empire, the Qing, lasted from 1644 to 1912. It began in violence and war as the Manchus swept down from the north, but invaders became emperors, with three generations of one family ruling the country. Among them, Michael Wood argues, was China's greatest emperor - Kangxi. Under the Qing, China doubled in size to include Xinjiang in the far west, as well as Mongolia and Tibet, creating the essential shape of China today. The new dynasty tolerated a diversity of cultures and religions, including Islam. In Kaifeng, Michael visits a women's mosque with a female imam, a delightful scene that ends with laughter and selfies! The Qing also undertook huge cultural enterprises. At a traditional printing house where the wood blocks are hand-carved, we see how the Complete Tang Poems were reproduced - all 48,000 of them. We travel through the wintry countryside to a remote village where a hardy audience watch open-air opera in the snow and visit a painter's studio, and 'storytelling' houses in Yangzhou. In the 18th century, China was arguably the greatest economy in the world, and we get a fabulous sense of the rich culture that came with prosperity. But then came the clash with the British, in the first Opium War, when a British expedition destroyed the Qing navy and extracted territory and trading rights. We leave with a glimpse of the future. 'Every dynasty has risen and declined,' says Michael, 'and has needed new life to regenerate, and this time the catalyst was the British.' Among the ports China ceded was an almost uninhabited island, Hong Kong, one of today's greatest financial centres, and Shanghai, a small town then but now one of the greatest cities in world.

In the fifth episode of the series, as Steven's trial begins, his attorneys argue that law enforcement officials framed him and were negligent in not pursuing other leads in the case.

In the closing episode of the series, the legendary supermodels, Cindy, Linda, Christy, and Naomi, reflect on their enduring careers and personal journeys. As they face various life changes, these remarkable women step into new roles as entrepreneurs, humanitarians, and mothers, showcasing their versatility and resilience. Amid these transitions, they uncover a newfound power in the aging process, demonstrating that growing older can be an enriching experience. Their collective journey serves as a testament to the enduring strength and impact of these iconic figures in the world of fashion and beyond.
Throughout their careers, these supermodels have not only defined an era but also evolved into multifaceted individuals who continue to inspire and make a difference in the world. This final chapter underscores their enduring legacy and the profound influence they've had, emphasizing that age is not a limitation but a source of empowerment and wisdom.

Life of the Buddha is a major new landmark documentary following Buddha on his journey from the lap of luxury to the verge of starvation and final enlightenment. Shot on location in Nepal and India, Life of the Buddha uses dramatic computer-generated images and recent archaeological discoveries to piece together this remarkable story.

The Supermodels Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington will revisit the quartet’s modelling careers and how they disrupted the 90s’ fashion scene, including access to and interviews with all of them. The film show how these four women transformed the modeling industry, maintaining their dignity and respect in an industry that strips women of both much too often. Fighting off the critics, especially when it came to salary, making no excuses for demanding what they were worth, when women were told to shut up and just walk.
In the first episode, we rewind to the year 1983, where four teenagers—Naomi, Cindy, Linda, and Christy—took their initial steps onto the runway and in front of the camera. This pivotal moment ignited a seismic chain of events that would forever change the face of fashion. Get ready to witness these trailblazing women in a captivating journey into the past, sparking curiosity about the extraordinary impact and resilience of these iconic supermodels.

Of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Hanging Garden of Babylon is the most elusive of these constructions of classical antiquity. While traces have been found of the Great Pyramid of Gaza, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, the Colossus of Rhodes and the Lighthouse of Alexandria, centuries of digging have turned up nothing about the lost gardens of Babylon – until now.
Why, in the nearly 3,000 years since the gardens were presumably built, has no archeological evidence ever been found to support their existence? Is the Hanging Garden of Babylon a myth or a mystery to be solved?
Travel with Dr. Stephanie Dalley of Oxford University’s Oriental Institute and author of The Mystery of the Hanging Garden of Babylon, to one of the most dangerous places on earth, as she sets out to answer these questions and prove not only that the gardens did exist, but also identify where they most likely were located, describe what they looked like and explain how they were constructed.