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An Artist's Story (1974)
Character: Himself - Presenter
An Artist's Story concerns the confrontation of ideas between Anton, a young landscape painter, and Lydia, a young aristocratic girl who devotes her life to good works.
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Life Beyond the Box: Norman Stanley Fletcher (2003)
Character: Himself
Spoof documentary looking at the life of Normal Stanley Fletcher, the star of 1970s sitcom Porridge played by Ronnie Barker. Featuring fictional footage and interviews with the character's family, friends and associates, the film documents Fletcher's chequered career.
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Portrait or Bust (1994)
Character: Himself (uncredited)
Alan Bennett's personal overview of art, filmed in the atmospheric location of a Leeds art gallery.
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A British Picture: Portrait of an Enfant Terrible (1989)
Character: N/A
Moving with astonishing assurance through time and space, Russell recreates his life in a series of unconventional interconnected episodes – his thirties childhood in Southampton; his first sexual experience (watching Disney’s Pinocchio); his schooldays at the Nautical College, Pangbourne; early careers in the Merchant Marine and the Royal Air Force; dancing days at the Shepherds Bush Ballet Club; and of course his career as a filmmaker, beginning with an extraordinary interview with Huw Weldon for a job on Monitor.
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Francis Bacon (1985)
Character: N/A
Francis Bacon revolutionised figurative painting in the 20th century. The English painter unmasked his subjects in a provocative and ruthless manner. Deformed bodies, grimacing faces and the materiality of colour make us aware of brutality and sexuality, existential abysses and the fears of existence. Author Melvyn Bragg accompanies the painter throughout his day. This begins in his London atelier, leads us on to his favourite pub and ends up in gambling club in Soho.
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David Hockney: Joiner Photographs (1983)
Character: Narrator
David Hockney is unquestionably one of the most passionate and versatile experimental artists on the contemporary scene. In the late 1970s the British artist developed a pioneering concept which also changed his perspective on painting – his “joiners”. In this film, the artist himself talks about this photographic approach, a kind of Cubism-inspired photocollage which explores the space-time continuum. Hockney allows the viewer to share in the creative “joiner” process and leads us step by step into the universe of his artistic creativity.
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David Lean: A Life in Film (1985)
Character: Narrator
A documentary video that profiles the life of David Lean, the director of Doctor Zhivago and Lawrence of Arabia.
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Tennessee Williams: Orpheus of the American Stage (1994)
Character: Self
A study of Tennessee Williams's life and work as a whole, ranging from his youth in Mississippi and in St. Louis to success and acclaim, followed by the final difficult years. Includes some of the most celebrated scenes from film adaptations of Williams' work, among them extracts of A Streetcar Named Desire (1951),Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), Night of the Iguana, The (1964), and Suddenly, Last Summer (1993) (TV). Contains footage of Williams being interviewed, including conversations with David Frost, 'Edward R. Murrow (I)', and Melvyn Bragg, as well as reminiscences from people who knew and worked with him, among them Edward Albee, Gore Vidal, and his lifelong friend, Lady Maria St. Just. Features readings from Elia Kazan's Notebook by Kim Hunter.
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Ingmar Bergman at 60 (1978)
Character: Host
Documentary about the Swedish film director, produced for the UK television program "The South Bank."
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Countertenors (1999)
Character: Presenter
An LWT South Bank Show, presented by Melvyn Bragg, exploring the phenomenon of countertenor singing. With its unique, soaring beauty, the high male voice is today enjoying a huge resurgence in popularity. Heirs to the celebrated castrati of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, today's countertenors produce their voices by wholly natural means. In this programme international stars Michael Chance, Andreas Scholl and James Bowman, as well as popstar Jimmy Somerville, shed light on the appeal of the male falsetto. Meanwhile, experts such as Michael White place today's countertenors in their historical context. What emerges is a compelling portrayal of an unmistakable vocal style, rooted in church and operatic tradition, yet completely up-to-date, resonating louder today than at any time in the last two hundred years.
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Emir Kusturica (2000)
Character: Himself (Presenter)
A profile of the controversial Yugoslavian director.
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The Mystery Of Mary Magdalene (2013)
Character: Self
Melvyn Bragg sets out to unravel the many questions surrounding one of the Bible's most enigmatic and controversial figures: Mary Magdalene.
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Bogart: Here's Looking at You, Kid (1997)
Character: Self/Narrator
This documentary, originally presented on the television series The South Bank Show, covers actor Humphrey Bogart's life and career, including archival footage and interviews with Lauren Bacall and his son Stephen Bogart.
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Hockney at the Tate (1988)
Character: Self
To mark his fiftieth birthday in 1988, London's Tate Gallery staged a major retrospective of his work. Melvyn Bragg joined David Hockney for an exclusive private view of the exhibition and they were filmed discussing pictures from all stages of Hockney's remarkable career.
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David Hockney: In Normandy (2023)
Character: self
The celebrated British artist discusses his life and work with Melvyn Bragg in his Normandy studio, revealing his influences, inspirations and plans to keep on painting.
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David Hockney: In London (2023)
Character: Self
Filmed in his London studio, David Hockney sits down with Melvyn Bragg to discuss his remarkable life and career, illustrated by a wide range of his vibrant and joyous artworks.
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J.M.W. Turner: Turner at the Tate (1987)
Character: Presenter
The works of Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851), one of the best known English Romantic artists, still play a leading role in the art market to this day. Since 1987 the majority of his pictures have been exhibited at the Clore Gallery, a separate building of Tate Britain. Daniel Wiles visits the gallery to explore the life and works of this eccentric artist, and also talks to countless experts and artists in an attempt to establish what it is about William Turner’s pictures that still fascinates so many people.
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Art Matters (2024)
Character: Self
Join Melvyn Bragg for an insightful journey into why “Art Matters,” With a career spanning over 60 years, Bragg passionately advocates for the importance of the arts as he reflects on his early experiences and engages with influential figures from the artistic world.
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Norbert Smith: A Life (1989)
Character: Interviewer
A mockumentary charting the life and career of the fictitious British actor Sir Norbert Smith.
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Afro-Cuban All-Stars at the Salon of Dreams (1998)
Character: Self
This documentary, shot entirely on location in Havana, includes many band members' insights into this revival, and features performance footage of an All-Stars' concert at the city's Salon of Dreams.
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Keppel Road: The Life and Music of the Bee Gees (1997)
Character: Self
This documentary traces the lives of Gibb brothers and takes a look through their memories, creating some of the greatest hits in the world as the Bee Gees. Including interviews, archive footage, and new versions of classic songs - all recorded in the lead up to the release of their 'Still Waters' album in 1997.
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Versus: The Life and Films of Ken Loach (2016)
Character: Self - Editor and Presenter, South Bank Show
A surprisingly candid behind-the-scenes account of the career of Ken Loach, one of Britain’s most celebrated and controversial filmmakers, as he prepares to release his final major film I, Daniel Blake.
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David Hockney: A Celebration (2023)
Character: Self
An intimate portrait of David Hockney, featuring interviews with the artist - one of Britain's most beloved painters - in London and Normandy, and exclusive new footage of a master at work.
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Whose Doctor Who (1977)
Character: Presenter
Melvyn Bragg presents this 1977 documentary about Doctor Who from BBC2's 'The Lively Arts' strand, featuring extensive behind-the-scenes coverage of the making of The Talons of Weng-Chiang and looking back at the history of the programme and its psychological impact on the viewers, particularly children.
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Muse of Fire (2013)
Character: Self
This unique feature documentary follows two actors, Giles Terera and Dan Poole, as they travel the world to find out everything they can about tackling the greatest writer of them all. Together they have directed and produced an inspiring film that aims to demystify and illuminate Shakespeare’s work for everyone: from actors, directors and students of all disciplines, right through to the "man on the street". Think Shakespeare is boring? Think again!
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The Who: The Kids Are Alright (1979)
Character: Self
Through concert performances and interviews, this film offers us a comprehensive look at the British pioneer rock group, The Who. It captures their zany craziness and outrageous antics from the initial formation of the group in 1964 to 1978. It notably features the band's last performance with long-term drummer Keith Moon, filmed at Shepperton Studios in May 1978, three months before his death.
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The Beatles: The Making of Sgt. Pepper (1992)
Character: Self - Presenter
This was an official documentary shown on television featuring George Martin taking us through the album tracks and Paul, George and Ringo giving us their memories of the sessions. The Making Of Sgt. Pepper was transmitted in the UK on ITV on 14th June 1992 and featured separate interviews with Paul (filmed on 9th April 1992), George (12th April) and Ringo (19th April). The show also features George Martin playing some unreleased Sgt. Pepper's recordings directly off the original studio 4-track master tapes.
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Sweet William (1980)
Character: Self
William is a dashing and eccentric Scotsman whose charms rapidly overwhelm the sweet and naïve Ann, but she nearly as quickly begins to comprehend that her new beau is anything but a one-woman man. In addition to his two ex-wives, with whom he remains remarkably close, William exhibits a disturbing attraction for nearly any female who crosses his path -- Ann's friends among them.
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The Most Dangerous Man in Tudor England (2013)
Character: Himself - Presenter
Melvyn Bragg explores the dramatic story of William Tyndale and his mission to translate the Bible into English, which made him a threat to the authority of the church and state.
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Laurence Olivier: A Life (1982)
Character: Self (Interviewer )
A multi-award winning biography covering the life and career of legendary screen and stage actor/director Laurence Olivier.
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Bernard and the Genie (1991)
Character: Himself
Bernard Bottle, a mild mannered art buyer, is fired by his greedy boss, abandoned by his girlfriend and discovers a genie in an old bottle. The genie immediately embraces the modern world and helps Bernard on the side.
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Roy Lichtenstein (1991)
Character: Himself
In this documentary Roy Lichtenstein is interviewed and discusses his life and art work, what influenced him, where his ideas came from, how his art adapted and how and why it changed over time. He discusses the Pop Art movement, a bit, mostly how he was one of a number of artists making art that was then called Pop Art. Also interesting is Lichtenstein tells what different art critics have said about different phases of his art and he shares his personal reactions to their statements. Additionally some footage of people criticizing and discussing his artwork is included, almost in a “he said, she said” manner which makes the viewer think about how sometimes what others say about an artist’s work may be a bit off or just wrong. Contrary to what non-artists may think, artists do usually have a reason or an inspiration behind what they create. Lucky for us this documentary allows us into the brilliant mind of Roy Lichtenstein.
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The Tall Guy (1989)
Character: Himself
An American actor in England tries to find love and work.
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