Documentary series which ranges widely over Britain's social and cultural history, its narrative-led storytelling offering a richly immersive and varied window onto the past.
The Grunwick Strike
Oct 10, 2002
Documentary recalling the industrial dispute at the Grunwick film processing business in North London in 1976. Featuring film archive from the time and interviews with key players.
The Cannabis Years
Oct 12, 2002
An in-depth examination of how the debate surrounding cannabis has evolved over the past 50 years.
The Writer's Trade
Oct 19, 2002
Examining the changing image of the novelist over the last 50 years.
The Sailing Sixties
Nov 9, 2002
In the mid 1960s Britain went boating mad. This documentary tells the story of how an extraordinary maritime revolution that was kick-started by waterproof glues developed for bomber aircraft led to a whole generation of DIY dinghy builders, and ended in tragedy with the suicide of amateur yachtsman Donald Crowhurst.
Attenborough: The Controller Years
Nov 16, 2002
Charting the time of our favorite presenter at the head of the then struggling and controversial BBC2. Packed chock full of interviews, clips and reminiscences both old and new, including the very tasty Joan Bakewell of the 60s... Sir David Attenborough's reign as controller of BBC TWO, from 1965 to 1973, is still thought of as the golden age of television.
he Rise and Fall of the Comedy Straight Man
Nov 30, 2002
Timeshift celebrates the comedy double act's unsung half, with archive footage of Morecambe and Wise, Benny Hill and the Monty Python team. Contributors include Syd Little and Barry Cryer. Narrated by Mark Lamarr.
A Shadow Over Europe
Dec 3, 2002
In 1945, two and a half million ethnic Germans were driven from their homes in Czechoslovakia. Thousands died. Now, as the Czech Republic heads for EU membership, Charles Wheeler reports on how the Czechs made the Sudeten German minority pay for Nazi occupation, and why it became a hot political issue. This is a story about Germans as victims of World War II.
Whatever Happened to the Working Class?
Feb 11, 2003
This programme in the Time Shift strand explores the history of the current conflict over class
Notting Hill Riots
Jan 18, 2003
Examining the west London riots of August 1958, which were the catalyst for black actMsm in Britain and inspired the annual carnival.
What Have the Germans Done for Us?
Feb 16, 2003
From VW Beetles to Blue Nun and Kraftwerk, a look at Germany's conrtibution to British life
Greenham Common Changed My Life
Feb 23, 2003
The story of the women who occupied the Greenham Common Peace Camp from 1981 to 2000 - what brought them to Greenham, their protests, conflicts with authority and the life they led at the camp. Contributors include Fiona Bruce, Fay Weldon and Joan Ruddock, all of whom visited the site to show their support.
Car Crazy
Mar 2, 2003
The story of the British love of the motor car from the earliest days of mass production in the 1920s to today's MPVs and post-modern Minis told through a succession of classic models from the Austin 7 and Morris Minor to the Ford Cortina.
The Magic Roundabout Story
Mar 16, 2003
Created by a French animator, the show was reinterpreted for Britain, with classic characters like Dougal. It transformed the careers of actor Eric Thompson and animator Ivor Wood and has spawned a movie.
Malcolm Muggeridge: Swimming Against the Stream
Mar 24, 2003
The controversial broadcaster is profiled by Time Shift. How did the son of a Croydon clerk become one of TV's geniune originals? Interviewees include Cormac Murphy O'Connor.
Gurus
Mar 30, 2003
Time Shift examines how the philosophy of the Indian guru has travelled into mainstream British society.
A Brief Interlude
Feb 16, 2003
A short film about "The Interludes" - a series of short films made by the BBC in the 1940s and 1950s to fill in during technical breakdowns and gaps in the schedules. The most famous ones showed a potter's wheel, a cat playing with a ball of wool and a horse-drawn plough.
