American photography: a century of images
The story of the pictures we have taken and where they have taken us. The series traces the profound effect photographs have had on American life-- influencing what we buy, how we dress, how we get the news, and in the matters of life and death, medicine, science, and war.
Civilisation. The complete series
Art historian Sir Kenneth Clark presents an epic examination of Western European culture, defining what he considers to be the crucial phases of its development. This lavish series was hailed as a masterpiece when it was broadcast in 1969.
Frank Lloyd Wright
Uses interiews and archival footage to tell the story of the melodramatic life and stunning architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright.
How art made the world: how humans made art and art made us human
Reveals how the first big artistic discoveries were made and how they have cascaded down the centuries to define the look of the present day. Encompassing everything from cave paints to ceramics and pyramids to palaces, this film explores the global trend for unrealistic depictions of the human body; the secret powers of the feature film; how politicians manage to manipulate people so easily; visions of the afterlife; and why we use imagery at all.
Impressionists
This authoritative and entertaining new series tells the stories of the artists who have captivated and thrilled people around the world for generations. Chronicles the life, times and works of each featured artist and explores their stylistic trademarks
The life and times of Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo was more than a great painter: her life and art reflected the maelstrom of the revolution and culture that defined the first half of the twentieth century. This film combines Kahlo's artwork with photos, archival films and interviews.
The life of Leonardo da Vinci
Biography of the versatile Renaissance artist in the context of his times, describing some of his achievements in painting, architecture, engineering, sculpture, and science.
Michelangelo Revealed
Paints a new picture of brave religious expression, personal vendettas, careful cover-ups, and a most gifted artist desperately trying to reconcile his loyalty to the church with his own belief about salvation.
More treasures from American film archives, 1894-1931
An anthology of films from American film archives. In addition to rare silent-era features, includes cartoons and animation, documentaries and newsreels, earliest American movies, pioneering sound and color experiments, serial episodes, trailers for lost films, advertisements, avant-garde shorts, ethnographic footage, films of ethnic communities, and other film types invented during the first four decades of the motion picture. Contains 50 films followed by six previews for lost features and serials. Also contains newly recorded musical scores and over 500 interactive screens about the films and music.
Program 1. Dickson experimental sound film -- Annie Oakley, Buffalo dance, Bucking broncho -- The suburbanite -- The country doctor -- The wonderful Wizard of Oz -- Admiral Cigarette, Flash Cleaner, Buy an electric refrigerator, The stenographer's friend -- The invaders -- The hazards of Helen -- Gretchen the greenhorn -- The breath of a nation -- De-light: making an electric light bulb -- Skyscraper symphony -- Greetings by George Bernard Shaw.
Program 2. What happened on Twenty-Third Street, At the foot of the Flatiron, New York City "ghetto" fish market -- From Leadville to Aspen -- The "Teddy" bears -- Children who labor -- The flute of Krishna -- Surviving reel of Lotus blossom -- Gus Visser and his singing duck -- Clash of the wolves -- International newsreel -- Now you're talking -- There it is -- A Bronx morning.
Program 3. Rip Van Winkle -- Mr. Edison at work in his chemical laboratory -- Life of an American fireman -- Westinghouse works -- Falling leaves -- Hollywood promotional films -- De Forest Phonofilms -- Inklings -- Lady Windermere's fan -- Cockeyed -- Prologue from The Passaic textile strike -- Tramp, tramp, tramp -- Zora Neale Hurston's fieldwork footage -- Trailers for six lost films.
Thomas Hart Benton
Filmmaker Ken Burns traces the life and turbulent career of one of America's best known and least understood painters. A bittersweet portrait combining rare archival material, commentary by those close to him, and a collection of his stunning paintings.
Through the lens
Profiles nine "adventure" photographers and examines how they are able to capture such difficult subjects as whale sharks, molten volcanoes, Mount Everest, and untouched pre-Inca tombs.