This uplifting feature documentary follows two friends on a global road trip to meet eight knights and a dame while immersing themselves in the world of William Shakespeare. 

Dan and Giles, former Shakespeare skeptics who became enthusiasts after being captivated by Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes in "Romeo and Juliet," journey to London to pursue acting careers and cultivate a profound appreciation for the Bard. 

Over the course of four years, they encounter a host of Shakespearean luminaries, including Ian McKellen, Judi Dench, and Baz Luhrmann. This heartfelt and entertaining film aims to demystify and illuminate Shakespeare’s work for everyone. Think he’s no great Shakes? Think again!

Two young actors embark on a road trip to get to the heart of the world’s greatest storyteller, William Shakespeare. 

Muse of Fire

This fascinating film tells the story of the greatest rescue in cultural history: how in 1623, two former colleagues of William Shakespeare took on the task of saving The Bard’s work for posterity by collecting his plays into one incredible book.

"First Folio" preserved 18 plays that had never been printed before, including "Macbeth,'""Twelfth Night," and "The Tempest." It was the first book to divide Shakespeare’s plays by genre: comedies, histories, and tragedies. Plus, its engraved portrait is thought to be one of the most authentic likenesses of the playwright in existence.

Shakespearean scholar Emma Smith presents and reveals John Heminges and Henry Condell feared that when their friend died, his words might fade with him. Featuring performances from Mark Rylance, Stephen Fry, Roger Allam, and more.

The extraordinary story of how two of William Shakespeare's friends saved some of his greatest plays from being lost and forgotten.

Will's Book: Shakespeare's First Folio

This critically acclaimed docudrama depicts a monumental night in Gothic history that gave birth to two iconic figures of modern horror: Mary Shelley’s ''Frankenstein'' and John Polidori’s ''Vampyre.''

In 1816, at Villa Diodati on Lake Geneva, the notorious poet Lord Byron—a rock star of his era—sought refuge from scandal. He was joined by the equally infamous Percy Shelley and his teenage lover, Mary. Rumors of free love, drunken revelry, and drug use circulated about their stay at the villa—some of which were true.

On a dark and stormy night, the group challenged one another to write the best ghost story. The literary legends would later recount their life-changing stay at the villa in letters, journals, and diaries, forming the basis of this film. Contemporary authors Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman, and Charlaine Harris explore why this night had such a profound impact on our culture.

A scandalous villa stay sparks the creation of Mary Shelley’s ''Frankenstein'' and John Polidori’s ''The Vampyre.''

Frankenstein and the Vampyre: A Dark and Stormy Night

This definitive documentary explores the life and legacy of legendary jazz saxophonist, bandleader, and composer John Coltrane, both as a man and an artist whose influence continues to resonate today. 

Born in North Carolina in 1926, Coltrane began playing saxophone at the age of 13 and quickly rose to prominence, performing alongside jazz icons Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis before establishing himself as a pioneering solo artist.

Director John Scheinfeld's film is a treasure trove of rare and intimate material, enriched by interviews with those who knew and collaborated with Coltrane, as well as notable admirers like President Bill Clinton. Academy Award winner Denzel Washington poignantly voices Coltrane's own words, offering deep and personal insight into the saxophonist's thoughts and feelings during key moments of his life and career.

Denzel Washington explores the passions that shaped the life and sound of jazz great John Coltrane.

Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary

Explore the rich history of American tap dancing, from its roots in the fusion of African rhythmic traditions and Irish step dancing to its vibrant present-day expression, in this fascinating documentary. 

Let the electric energy of America's tap dancing legacy put a pep in your step and some twinkle in your toes. Uncover the origins of tap dance, tracing its evolution from the streets to the stage, and its enduring impact on American culture. From its intertwined evolution with the syncopated beats of jazz music to the heyday of Vaudeville and Broadway and the postwar resurgence led by trailblazers like Gregory Hines and Savion Glover, this documentary reveals the intricate steps that have woven the tapestry of tap dance throughout the ages.

Explore the rich history of American tap dancing in Mark Wilkinson's documentary. 

American Tap

Ignite your passion for music with conductor Sir Antonio Pappano. In this exclusive Marquee TV series, Pappano explores the history and artistry of three iconic symphonies, revealing the secrets that make them so extraordinary. 

In this episode, Pappano explores the life and work of Gustav Mahler taking a close look at his groundbreaking ''Symphony No.1,''  before a full performance by The London Symphony Orchestra. Mahler's masterwork is a dramatic journey through the serenity of nature, the joys of youth, melancholy, and triumph, and this performance is nothing short of thrilling. ''Pappano wrung every last drop of drama from Mahler’s score'' - Bachtrack

Stepping out into nature, where Mahler drew his inspiration, and back into the rehearsal room, Pappano unpacks the genius of Mahler's work. Learn how Mahler stretched the boundaries of the symphony, capturing the spirit of nature in his music, and how his First Symphony evolved from its disastrous premiere to one of Mahler's most beloved works. Along the way, musicians from The London Symphony Orchestra share their experiences and insights, offering a unique perspective on this heroic symphony. 

Explore Mahler's groundbreaking ''Symphony No.1'' with Sir Antonio Pappano before a full performance of the symphony from the LSO. 

Antonio Pappano: Behind the Symphony & Mahler 1 Concert

18 months in the making, this Omnibus documentary follows Pulitzer-winning author Annie Proulx across the American West as she researches and writes her next book, ''That Old Ace in the Hole.''

Best known for ''The Shipping News'' and ''Brokeback Mountain,'' which accumulated three Academy Awards, the Connecticut-born former journalist heads out from New York on a personal assignment to capture the essence of life "western-style'' which sees her interview a knife maker, a food forager, and a fiddler en route.

A major literary novel's writing process from start to finish has never been documented on film before. Omnibus offers a unique insight.

Join award-winning author Annie Proulx as she journeys through the American West researching her next novel.

Omnibus: Annie Proulx - Way Out West

Discover the fascinating story behind one of literature's most famous families, the Brontës. 

Charlotte gave us "Jane Eyre," Emily "Wuthering Heights," Anne "The Tenant of Wildfell Hall," and Branwell, the only portrait of the three. Few families had as prolific an impact on English literature as the Brontës. 

This two-part dramatized documentary series reveals the layers of myth surrounding the gifted yet ill-fated Brontë family, offering a deeper insight into their lives and works. By challenging long-standing misconceptions, "Searching for the Brontës" sets the record straight, unveiling the complexities of these literary icons' lives 150 years after their untimely deaths, offering a compelling exploration of family bonds, artistic ambition, and the enduring legacy of three extraordinary sisters whose works continue to captivate readers worldwide.

Discover the fascinating story behind one of literature's most famous families, the Brontës. 

In Search of the Brontes

Witness the transformative power of dance as a group of inmates participate in choreographer Angelin Preljocaj's dance workshops behind bars. 

Sylvie, Lili, Sophia, Annie, and Malika are serving long sentences in Marseille's Beaumettes prison. For four months, they are visited by renowned choreographer Angelin Preljocaj whose dance classes are a welcome reprieve from life behind bars. Together they choreograph a new work to be performed "outside the walls" at prestigious venues like the Pavillon Noir in Aix-en-Provence and Montpellier's International Dance Festival.  

This moving documentary chronicles their profound journey as they discover the unyielding spirit that emerges when art meets confinement, revealing a gripping tale of human expression and liberation through dance.

Witness the transformative power of dance as a group of inmates take part in choreographer Angelin Preljocaj's dance workshops behind bars.

Julius Caesar with Brian Cox

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