Brilliant list - agree with all James's inclusions. One I would add - Ronald Eyre's superb series about religion (or more accurately the meaning of life and why it matters) The Long Search. A few excerpts on YouTube. It is amazing, everyone should watch it - Eyre was a sceptic and a perfect explainer of complex idea - the ideal guide through thousands of years of human thought.
I too learned so much from Civilization, got the book, watch it over and over again. Still wonderful. I am so glad that James included The Shock of the New, which is revelatory, and Robert Hughes such a dry and witty performer - perfect contrast to Kenneth Clark. And Lennie on Music - he introduced me to Mahler as a kid and has opened up so many hours of amazement, shuddering and delight. The Boulez/Chereau Ring blew me away and got my Wagner habit blissfully started.
Love this stuff - I read James in the Times, but these regular ruminations are even better.
The Long Search was a wonderful series, and I lament its apparent unavailability as a whole. Ronald was an open-minded seeker perhaps rather than a skeptic, and his favorite moment, he told me, was after the broadcast of the episode on Catholicism, when he telephoned the Little Brother of Jesus in Leeds, whose cover he had blown (they live the hidden life of Jesus at Nazareth), to apologise, and the Brother simply said, 'Never mind that. I would like to walk like the Buddhist monk! To be seen meditatively walking across the sands of Sri Lanka in the episode on Buddhism. That cross-fertilization was what Ronald had wanted to foster - a common as well as a long search.
I share your dismay that the whole series is not available - have just checked Amazon and though listed it does not seem to be available. Lucky you getting to talk to Ronald - I never met him but he came across as a compassionate and interested seeker - open-minded as you say. The ideal host for such a search. Not surprised your Little Brother in Leeds made the comment he did - that Buddhist walk was one of the most memorable events on TV. It would be wonderful if the BBC would re-show it - or at least re-release the DVDs. 26 parts, wonderful intelligent television, exemplifying public service broadcasting at its best. Those were the days!
it was brilliant wasn't it. I have found a couple of episodes on You Tube and am looking forward to re-watching. Haven't seen it for years, but back in my early 20s I found it amazing, and very moving.
This is incredible- the only thing I’ve used youtube for is Pilates beginners work out. I’m going to explore. Oh and probably start my own channel on there.
Thank you so much for this. That's my Friday nights when my partner is out at Five Rhythm's sorted. If I may, I'd add James Burke's Connections. I don't know if The World at War is there but that would be great, just to listen to Laurence Olivier voice.
JB is a great example of how to teach science well. Rather than just an arid list of facts and formulae he puts each discovery into its historical context, why it was inevitable or a particularly imaginative leap, and shows the impact it had. It was presenters like him and Sagan that made a woolly humanities grad like me realise just how fascinating science really is
Glad I could help. I'd wanted to watch if for ages, thought about buying on DVD and then found this. I'm only four episodes in but what a pleasure to watch a history programme that treats you like a grown up and isn't personality-led. It would be "Lucy Worsley's Second World War" now.
An excellent list. And I completely agree about Magee‘s philosophy series. What an amazing thing to have commissioned! I would add AJP Taylor’s straight to camera talks as well.
Yes it’s his classic series of lectures on the now deeply un fashionable subject of great leaders in history. Some were recently available on iPlayer I think.
Great selection, and great suggestions in the comments. Two additional suggestions: The 1981 BBC Horizon interview with Richard Feynman and Ireland: A Television History with Robert Kee.
I so agree about Civilisation, which changed my life aged 8,, though sadly when I tried to get my kids to watch it in their teens it didn;t "take" (though one became an Eng Lit graduate with a strong interest in Art History,nd the other a Classicist). Maybe there is a small window, Overton or otherwise, in which impressionable minds can take the old-fashioned stuff in? Agree too about the Larkin and Plath, and The Shock of the New.. I'd add The Ascent of Man. I regret that more recent offerings on the Classics have been less inspiring.
What a brilliant list! Thank you so much for this James! I really can't wait to tuck in, not sure what I want to watch first. Probably the Betjeman and Larkin one...but every single one looks appealing to me...
A wonderful list that I will work through again, as it’s been many years since I’ve watched some of these (and shamefully not seen enough of them). The only videos I’d add are the ones of the University of Chicago Larry McEnerney’s simple and engaging lectures on the importance of good writing - not just to communicate, but also to be able to think deeply. Genuine masterclasses.
Along with "The Ascent of Man", which was life-changing for me, I would recommend Carl Sagan's original "Cosmos" series. It demonstrates very well how the gradual understanding of the immensity of the Universe profoundly changed Western culture, as man finally understood not only his lack of centrality in creation, but also his smallness. Sagan's gentle humanism shines in every episode. In particular, the incredible discoveries made by the ancient Greeks, which were tragically lost to the West with the fall of Rome and the destruction of the library of Alexandria, had to be later rediscovered by the Wets, leading to the gradual fall of medieval Christianity as the arbiter of scientific knowledge.
The remake/reboot was so disappointing, and I feel similarly about Brian Cox’s space documentaries - so much more emphasis on visual and musical spectacle. I would have seen Cosmos on a 14” black and white set and it was gripping.
Brilliant list - agree with all James's inclusions. One I would add - Ronald Eyre's superb series about religion (or more accurately the meaning of life and why it matters) The Long Search. A few excerpts on YouTube. It is amazing, everyone should watch it - Eyre was a sceptic and a perfect explainer of complex idea - the ideal guide through thousands of years of human thought.
I too learned so much from Civilization, got the book, watch it over and over again. Still wonderful. I am so glad that James included The Shock of the New, which is revelatory, and Robert Hughes such a dry and witty performer - perfect contrast to Kenneth Clark. And Lennie on Music - he introduced me to Mahler as a kid and has opened up so many hours of amazement, shuddering and delight. The Boulez/Chereau Ring blew me away and got my Wagner habit blissfully started.
Love this stuff - I read James in the Times, but these regular ruminations are even better.
Agreed! I've followed James in the Times since he started there but his substack is my favourite!!
Glad to see the praise for Shock of the New. I've always thought of Robert Hughes as a kind of pugilistic Kenneth Clark with boxing gloves.
well put! Robert Hughes does indeed look like a boxer and writes like someone not afraid of a fight or two. He is brilliant!
The Long Search was a wonderful series, and I lament its apparent unavailability as a whole. Ronald was an open-minded seeker perhaps rather than a skeptic, and his favorite moment, he told me, was after the broadcast of the episode on Catholicism, when he telephoned the Little Brother of Jesus in Leeds, whose cover he had blown (they live the hidden life of Jesus at Nazareth), to apologise, and the Brother simply said, 'Never mind that. I would like to walk like the Buddhist monk! To be seen meditatively walking across the sands of Sri Lanka in the episode on Buddhism. That cross-fertilization was what Ronald had wanted to foster - a common as well as a long search.
I share your dismay that the whole series is not available - have just checked Amazon and though listed it does not seem to be available. Lucky you getting to talk to Ronald - I never met him but he came across as a compassionate and interested seeker - open-minded as you say. The ideal host for such a search. Not surprised your Little Brother in Leeds made the comment he did - that Buddhist walk was one of the most memorable events on TV. It would be wonderful if the BBC would re-show it - or at least re-release the DVDs. 26 parts, wonderful intelligent television, exemplifying public service broadcasting at its best. Those were the days!
Agreed! Jonathan Stedall, one of the producers of the series, was a friend which is how I got to know Ronald.
I agree with you about the Ronald Eyre series. I like the ending, when you are expecting something profound and he simply makes a cup of tea.
it was brilliant wasn't it. I have found a couple of episodes on You Tube and am looking forward to re-watching. Haven't seen it for years, but back in my early 20s I found it amazing, and very moving.
This is incredible- the only thing I’ve used youtube for is Pilates beginners work out. I’m going to explore. Oh and probably start my own channel on there.
Oh your YouTube channel sounds a great idea - v much look forward to that
Yes please do Philippa .
Great list. I've watched all these in recent years, during which time YouTube has long taken over as pretty much the only 'TV' I watch. From similar BBC archives I'd add Jacob Bronowski's The Ascent of Man https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PL9GIUnhOjMkbyJHk9yKRbhSBcug3XIbuv Michael Cockerell's vast back catalogue of documentaries on British Politics and Politicians over the years https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIrgBn1W4cs&list=PLqyrs2FHVEatdBg_xcKLjOkFi3vb2KK0K and John Roberts Triumph of the West https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLtbVxx7FmI&list=PL6iv-7E1twmjOGiWOhr28G63GICw5vx6V
I've tried the Ascent of Man but never got into it. Perhaps I need to persevere...
World at War just for Laurence Olivier's commentary. Worth viewing episode 1 to get a handle on current world events.
Yes, I agree. The Ascent of Man is superb!
The Auschwitz sequence is simply one of the most powerful television sequences there is.
Interesting how many of these are BBC programmes. "Civilisation" is still available on iPlayer, for anyone who wants to watch without adverts ......
Betjeman's Metroland documentary is well worth seeing too.
agreed!
Iain McGilchrist has a poetry series on YouTube, it’s one poem a day for a year with a very brief intro. It’s really good for popping in and out of!
Link here if you want to watch them https://youtu.be/yDKxcEsy05Y?si=xK7OKRb9q43a7tZi
yes - I love those!
I watched the whole of Kenneth Clark’s “Civilisation” during the pandemic. Great use of the lockdown.
the best use!
Thank you so much for this. That's my Friday nights when my partner is out at Five Rhythm's sorted. If I may, I'd add James Burke's Connections. I don't know if The World at War is there but that would be great, just to listen to Laurence Olivier voice.
Who is James Burke and what is Connections? Never heard of it!
Burke was - is! - a brilliant science communicator. Connections (and its recent sequel) and The Day The Universe Changed are outstanding.
... or any Horizon epiosde for the Paul Vaughn commentary.
Here you go.
https://youtu.be/XetplHcM7aQ?si=Ln6JFHrOTUXmW63q
Probably the greatest piece to camera ever delivered in a later episode.
JB is a great example of how to teach science well. Rather than just an arid list of facts and formulae he puts each discovery into its historical context, why it was inevitable or a particularly imaginative leap, and shows the impact it had. It was presenters like him and Sagan that made a woolly humanities grad like me realise just how fascinating science really is
No special effects just perfect craftsmanship.
https://youtu.be/2WoDQBhJCVQ?si=JumDF80EGBsuPFC_
One to flag up for my 5 year old grand daughters moon landing project.
He was a BBC science presenter in the 60s/70s. He anchored the programmes about the NASA space flights.
Apologies I just essentially repeated your comment before reading further down the thread !
The World at War might not be on You Tube but you can find it here
https://archive.org/details/the-world-at-war-1973-thames-television-world-war-two
Sir, you are a gentleman. Friday dance nights sorted for winter.
Glad I could help. I'd wanted to watch if for ages, thought about buying on DVD and then found this. I'm only four episodes in but what a pleasure to watch a history programme that treats you like a grown up and isn't personality-led. It would be "Lucy Worsley's Second World War" now.
Indeed
An excellent list. And I completely agree about Magee‘s philosophy series. What an amazing thing to have commissioned! I would add AJP Taylor’s straight to camera talks as well.
I didn't know about the AJP Taylor - will have a look
Yes it’s his classic series of lectures on the now deeply un fashionable subject of great leaders in history. Some were recently available on iPlayer I think.
This is an outstanding list providing so much food for thought. Thank you for sharing this! 👍👍👍
thanks for reading!
Great selection, and great suggestions in the comments. Two additional suggestions: The 1981 BBC Horizon interview with Richard Feynman and Ireland: A Television History with Robert Kee.
thank you for those recommendations
Such a beautiful list, one to keep and work through.
I so agree about Civilisation, which changed my life aged 8,, though sadly when I tried to get my kids to watch it in their teens it didn;t "take" (though one became an Eng Lit graduate with a strong interest in Art History,nd the other a Classicist). Maybe there is a small window, Overton or otherwise, in which impressionable minds can take the old-fashioned stuff in? Agree too about the Larkin and Plath, and The Shock of the New.. I'd add The Ascent of Man. I regret that more recent offerings on the Classics have been less inspiring.
What a brilliant list! Thank you so much for this James! I really can't wait to tuck in, not sure what I want to watch first. Probably the Betjeman and Larkin one...but every single one looks appealing to me...
Thank you! And yes Betjeman and Larkin a great place to start
A wonderful list that I will work through again, as it’s been many years since I’ve watched some of these (and shamefully not seen enough of them). The only videos I’d add are the ones of the University of Chicago Larry McEnerney’s simple and engaging lectures on the importance of good writing - not just to communicate, but also to be able to think deeply. Genuine masterclasses.
Along with "The Ascent of Man", which was life-changing for me, I would recommend Carl Sagan's original "Cosmos" series. It demonstrates very well how the gradual understanding of the immensity of the Universe profoundly changed Western culture, as man finally understood not only his lack of centrality in creation, but also his smallness. Sagan's gentle humanism shines in every episode. In particular, the incredible discoveries made by the ancient Greeks, which were tragically lost to the West with the fall of Rome and the destruction of the library of Alexandria, had to be later rediscovered by the Wets, leading to the gradual fall of medieval Christianity as the arbiter of scientific knowledge.
The remake/reboot was so disappointing, and I feel similarly about Brian Cox’s space documentaries - so much more emphasis on visual and musical spectacle. I would have seen Cosmos on a 14” black and white set and it was gripping.