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The Jungles

   2006    Nature
Jungles cover roughly three per cent of our planet yet contain 50 per cent of the world's species. High-definition cameras enable unprecedented views of animals living on the dark jungle floor. In the Ngogo forest the largest chimpanzee group in the world defends its territory from neighbouring groups. Other jungle specialists include parasitic fungi which infiltrate an insect host, feed on it, and then burst out of its body.
Series: Planet Earth

The Kick

   2023    History
The series chronicles David Beckham's meteoric rise to the pinnacle of world soccer and his transformation into a cultural icon. Beckham is one of the most well-known names on the planet, but few truly understand the man behind the fame. From his humble beginnings in working-class East London, through his unwavering determination to succeed, to his ongoing struggle to balance ambition, love, and family, David's journey is filled with numerous ups and downs. It is the story of one of the most recognized and scrutinized athletes of all time.
In the first episode of the series, we delve into the early defining moments of David Beckham's life, shaping both his career and personal journey. It starts with a history-making goal in 1996, catapulting David to fame. As he becomes a household name, big spending and brand deals further fuel his popularity. However, a pivotal moment comes when he receives a red card during a match between England and Argentina, ultimately leading to England's loss. Throughout this episode, we also get a glimpse of David's initial encounters with Victoria.
Series: Beckham

The Last Empire

   2016    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.
Series: The Story of China

The Menendez Brothers

   2024    History
In 1996, the Menendez brothers' trial for the brutal murder of their parents shocked the nation and left a lasting mark on America's legal and cultural landscape. Now, decades later, this gripping documentary revisits the case that fascinated millions, providing unprecedented access to those closest to the brothers and the courtroom drama. Through exclusive interviews, newly uncovered details, and firsthand accounts, it sheds light on the motivations, emotions, and complex family dynamics that led to the shocking crime.
Lyle and Erik Menendez, serving life sentences in prison, break their silence to offer their perspective on the harrowing events that forever changed their lives. This documentary explores not only the chilling crime and sensational media coverage but also the brothers’ own reflections and the ongoing debate about justice, privilege, and the true nature of the tragedy. Prepare to witness a story of betrayal, power, and a search for answers that still haunts America to this day.

The Mountains

   2011    Culture
From lush cloud forests to bare summits that take your breath away, the higher you climb the tougher life gets on a mountain. Human Planet explores the extraordinary ways in which people survive at extreme altitudes where nature becomes utterly unforgiving. In the Altai Mountains in Western Mongolia the vast open spaces make hunting for animals almost impossible, so the locals have forged an astonishing partnership with golden eagles which can do the hunting for them. On the precipitous cliffs of the Simien Mountains of Ethiopia we join a young boy locked in a dramatic battle with fearsome gelada monkeys which are hell-bent on raiding his family's meagre grain harvest. In the Himalayan state of Nepal - the roof of the world - we witness a rarely seen ceremony: a sky burial. In a land where there is little wood to burn for cremation, and where burying the dead is virtually impossible, the dead are fed to vultures in the ultimate reverence of nature.
Series: Human Planet

The Rise of Oda Nobunaga

   2021    History
This brilliant docuseries is an exploration of the feudal Japan from 1551 to 1616 , during the final phase of the Sengoku period (The Age of Warring States), when several powerful daimyo (warlords) fought to become absolute ruler. It features reenactments of historical events and commentary by voice-over artist Hiro Kanagawa and outstanding historians.
In the first episode, Oda Nobunaga becomes head of the Oda clan upon the death of his father, but this causes problems with family members who compete for control.
Series: Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan