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The Rise of Putin

   2020    History
A definitive account of Putin's power and how it changed the modern world. The series is an exploration of how Vladimir Putin brought his knowledge of spy-craft to bear on his leadership of Russia, how his personal experiences have influenced his politics and how modern Russia has been created through an acute sense of betrayal, pride and anger.
The first episode takes viewers on a journey into the mind of one of the 21st century's most influential leaders, offering a portrait of a politician who modelled himself on the Russian James Bond and whose presidency reads like a spy thriller. We will see how Putin escapes poverty by joining the KGB, his reinvention as a political fixer in the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union and how he gets into position to take over from President Yeltsin.
Series: Putin: A Russian Spy Story

The Rise of the Synths

   2019    Art
What is Synthwave? An irresistible blend of nostalgia and music; of creative processes and cultural references; of re-appropriation and legitimate creation. Is a random revival or an emerging cultural phenomenon? Narrated by iconic director John Carpenter, the film is a journey back and forth in time, from to the roots of this scene to its impact on today's pop culture, from the universe of creating sounds to the Synthwave Music. (Click CC for subtitles)

The Road to Revolution

   2017    History
The years 1825-1918 were bloody and traumatic, a period when four tsars tried - and failed - to deal with the growing pressure for constitutional reform and revolution. In 1861, millions of enslaved serfs were freed by the Tsar-Liberator, Alexander II. But Alexander paid the ultimate penalty for opening the Pandora's box of reform when he was later blown up by terrorists on the streets of St Petersburg. Elsewhere, there was repression, denial, war and - in the case of the last tsar, Nicholas II - a fatalistic belief in the power of God, with Nicholas's faith in the notorious holy man Rasputin being a major part in his undoing. Lucy Worsley also details the chilling murder of Nicholas and his family in 1918, and asks whether all of this horror have been avoided.
Series: Empire of the Tsars

The Robot

   2019    Technology
For most of our history, we humans considered ourselves unique. But now, a new, artificial species might challenge our superiority. Mechanical beings have the potential to change everything. How we got them is a story of astonishing twists and amazing turns to achieve us the machine that may turn out to be the most revolutionary technology ever conceived--the robot.
Learn how robots were first conceptualized in ancient Rome and see how their use has evolved over the centuries, from the calculator to the Mars Lander. Then, take a sneak peek at what future robots will be able to do. Narrated by Patrick Stewart.
Series: Breakthrough: The Ideas That Changed the World

The Roof of the World

   2004    Culture
Leaving Everest base camp to take the high road to Lhasa to see what the Chinese have done to Tibet. He sees that religion is once again tolerated, while the old Tibetan centre of the city is being replaced with modern Chinese shopping malls and nightclubs. Following the pilgrims to the holy Namtso Lake, he gets warm in a hot spring before learning how to milk a yak with a nomad family.
Series: Himalaya with Michael Palin

The Rules of Life

   2023    Science
The series ‘Life on Our Planet’ brought to life by Steven Spielberg and narrated by Morgan Freeman, unfolds the remarkable and epic four-billion-year journey of life on Earth. Its captivating narrative explores the continuous battle of life to conquer and survive, delving into the history of the 20 million species that exist today. However, what we witness is merely a snapshot in time; 99% of Earth's inhabitants are buried in our deep past. This series weaves the tales of these dynasties, chronicling their rise and fall in a story that is as incredible as it is enlightening, sparking a profound interest in the history and resilience of life on Earth.
The first episode traces the evolution of life on our planet and highlights the diversity of life, from ancient sharks to the reign of dinosaurs and the emergence of mammals. The episode showcases the constant struggle for survival and adaptation across different eras, illustrating the dynamic and often brutal nature of Earth's evolution.
Series: Life on Our Planet