Melvyn Bragg
Also Known As: not available
Biography: Melvyn Bragg, Baron Bragg, CH, HonFRS, FRSL, FBA (born 6 October 1939), is an English broadcaster, author and parliamentarian. He is best known for his work with ITV as editor and presenter of The South Bank Show (1978–2010), and for the BBC Radio 4 documentary series In Our Time. Earlier in his career, Bragg worked for the BBC in various roles including presenter, a connection that resumed in 1988 when he began to host Start the Week on Radio 4. After his ennoblement in 1998, he switched to presenting the new In Our Time, an academic discussion radio programme, which has run to over 900 broadcast editions and is a popular podcast. He was Chancellor of the University of Leeds from 1999 until 2017. Description above from the Wikipedia article Melvyn Bragg, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Department: Acting
Place of Birth: Carlisle, UK
Adult: No
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Hockney at the Tate
Overview: 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.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1988-10-30
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From the West Down to the East: Billy Bragg on The South Bank Show, March 1985
Overview: London Weekend Television. Hosted by Melvyn Bragg. First screened in the UK on 31st March 1985.
Genres: Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1985-03-31
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Sir Norbert Smith: A Life
Overview: A mockumentary charting the life and career of the fictitious British actor Sir Norbert Smith.
Genres: Comedy TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1989-11-03
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David Hockney: A Celebration
Overview: 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.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2023-08-28
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David Hockney: In Normandy
Overview: 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.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2023-08-28
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David Hockney: In London
Overview: 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.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2023-08-29
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Francis Bacon
Overview: 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.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1988-01-01
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The Mystery Of Mary Magdalene
Overview: Melvyn Bragg sets out to unravel the many questions surrounding one of the Bible's most enigmatic and controversial figures: Mary Magdalene.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2013-06-05
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Vivienne Westwood
Overview: Profile of fashion designer, Vivienne Westwood.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1990-04-08
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The South Bank Show: Noël Coward
Overview: Television documentary on playwright, actor, composer, and film maker Noel Coward.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1992-03-01
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Life Beyond the Box: Norman Stanley Fletcher
Overview: 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.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2003-12-29
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Bernard and the Genie
Overview: 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.
Genres: Comedy Fantasy TV Movie
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1991-11-23
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J.M.W. Turner: Turner at the Tate
Overview: 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.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1987-01-01
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Versus: The Life and Films of Ken Loach
Overview: 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.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2016-06-30
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The South Bank Show: John Cleese
Overview: John Cleese is interviewed by Melvyn Bragg in this 1986 episode of The South Bank Show (1978). Cleese speaks of his comedy background, writing for That Was the Week That Was, At Last the 1948 Show and The Frost Report, all which led to Monty Python's Flying Circus, and of Fawlty Towers, which was co-written with his then wife, Connie Booth.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1986-01-12
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The South Bank Show: Terry Gilliam
Overview: Terry Gilliam is interviewed by Melvyn Bragg in this 1991 episode of The South Bank Show (1978). Gilliam speaks of his history with the British comedy group Monty Python and is joined by Michael Palin in discussing his films including Jabberwocky, Time Bandits, Brazil, The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen and The Fisher King.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1991-10-06
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The South Bank Show: Spamalot
Overview: Eric Idle is interviewed by Melvyn Bragg in this 2006 episode of The South Bank Show (1978). The surviving members of Monty Python discuss the huge success of Spamalot on Broadway and Eric Idle discusses the history of the musical.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2006-10-15
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Art Matters
Overview: 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.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2024-07-24
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The Making of Sgt. Pepper
Overview: 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.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1992-06-14
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Muse of Fire
Overview: Funny, passionate, exciting, and smart: ‘Muse Of Fire’ will change the way you feel about Shakespeare forever. 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? Denmark with Jude Law, Baz Luhrmann in Hollywood, Prison in Berlin, and on the street with Mark Rylance. Think Shakespeare is boring? Think again!
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2013-09-26
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Outbreak 1939: When War Broke Out
Overview: In a programme broadcast 70 years to the day after the outbreak of WWII, people who were alive at the time speak of their memories.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
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Afro-Cuban All-Stars at the Salon of Dreams
Overview: 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.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1998-07-19
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The South Bank Show: Terence Davies
Overview: Television documentary about British film director Terence Davies and his film "The Long Day Closes."
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1992-04-05
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Ermanno Olmi: The Roots of the Tree
Overview: Documentary about Italian film director Ermanno Olmi, with emphasis on "The Tree of Wooden Clogs".
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1981-05-03
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Bernardo Bertolucci and the Making of 'The Last Emperor'
Overview: Documentary about the making of the film first presented on the British television series "The South Bank Show".
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1988-01-17
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The South Bank Show: Ken Loach
Overview: Television documentary about British film director Ken Loach.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1993-10-03
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John Steinbeck: Voice of America
Overview: Melvyn Bragg travels from Oklahoma to California to examine the enduring legacy of the Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2011-11-22
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The South Bank Show: The French Lieutenant's Woman
Overview: 1981 episode of London Weekend Television's The South Bank Show examines the film and features interviews with novelist John Fowles, screenwriter Harold Pinter, and director Karel Reisz
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1981-01-01
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An Interview with Dennis Potter
Overview: Dennis Potter a television dramatist talks about his work, politics and his fears for both.
Genres: TV Movie Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1994-11-19
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The Tall Guy
Overview: An American actor in England tries to find love and work.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1989-02-01
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The South Bank Show: Bob Fosse
Overview: Interview with director/choreographer Bob Fosse, first shown on British television.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1981-03-08
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The South Bank Show: William Golding
Overview: Interview with the British author, William Golding.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1980-11-16
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Portrait or Bust
Overview: Alan Bennett's personal overview of art, filmed in the atmospheric location of a Leeds art gallery.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1994-04-04
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The South Bank Show: Michael Powell
Overview: Documentary about British film director Michael Powell
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1986-10-16
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An Artist's Story
Overview: 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.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1974-02-02
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David Lean: A Life in Film
Overview: A documentary video that profiles the life of David Lean, the director of Doctor Zhivago and Lawrence of Arabia.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1985-01-01
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Tennessee Williams: Orpheus of the American Stage
Overview: 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.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1994-12-19
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Ingmar Bergman at 60
Overview: Documentary about the Swedish film director, produced for the UK television program "The South Bank."
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1978-07-08
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Countertenors
Overview: 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.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1999-12-19
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R.E.M.
Overview: A documentary on the band
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2002-05-09
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The South Bank Show: Roman Polanski
Overview: A documentary first presented on the South Bank Show in 1980 about the career of film director Roman Polanski.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1980-05-25
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The South Bank Show: 'Local Hero'
Overview: A documentary about the making of Bill Forsyth's 1983 film "Local Hero."
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1983-02-27
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Whose Doctor Who
Overview: 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.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1977-04-03
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Keppel Road: The Life and Music of the Bee Gees
Overview: 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.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1997-01-13
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Roy Lichtenstein
Overview: 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.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1991-01-02
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Cinema of Fire: Iranian Cinema
Overview: A profile of the Iranian film industry
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2002-06-30
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Emir Kusturica
Overview: A profile of the controversial Yugoslavian director.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2000-03-12
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The Most Dangerous Man in Tudor England
Overview: 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.
Genres: Documentary History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 2013-06-06
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In from the Cold? A Portrait of Richard Burton
Overview: Tony Palmer's award-winning feature-length documentary profile of Richard Burton.
Genres: Documentary
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1988-09-20
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The Who: The Kids Are Alright
Overview: 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.
Genres: Documentary Music
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1979-06-15
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