Melvyn Bragg

Melvyn Bragg

Born: October 6, 1939
in Carlisle, UK
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.

Movies for Melvyn Bragg...

David Hockney: In London
Title: David Hockney: In London
Character: Self
Released: August 29, 2023
Type: Movie
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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David Hockney: In Normandy
Title: David Hockney: In Normandy
Character: self
Released: August 28, 2023
Type: Movie
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: A Celebration
Title: David Hockney: A Celebration
Character: Self
Released: August 28, 2023
Type: Movie
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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Versus: The Life and Films of Ken Loach
Title: Versus: The Life and Films of Ken Loach
Character: Himself
Released: June 30, 2016
Type: Movie
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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Muse of Fire
Title: Muse of Fire
Character: Self
Released: September 26, 2013
Type: Movie
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!
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The Most Dangerous Man in Tudor England
Title: The Most Dangerous Man in Tudor England
Character: Himself - Presenter
Released: June 6, 2013
Type: Movie
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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The Mystery Of Mary Magdalene
Title: The Mystery Of Mary Magdalene
Character: Self
Released: June 5, 2013
Type: Movie
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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John Steinbeck: Voice of America
Title: John Steinbeck: Voice of America
Character: Host/Narrator
Released: November 22, 2011
Type: Movie
Melvyn Bragg travels from Oklahoma to California to examine the enduring legacy of the Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck.
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Title: Reel History of Britain
Released: September 5, 2011
Type: TV
Reel History of Britain is a 20 part series being shown on BBC Two, presented by Melvyn Bragg and about the history of modern Britain; through the eyes of people who were there. It was shown from 5–30 September 2011. The programme is a social history documentary, charting the course of the twentieth century through archive film, plus interviews and recollections of key events that have taken place in the last one-hundred years, since the advent of moving film. In each episode, Bragg goes to a different place in the UK and shows people film in a 1950s Ministry of Technology mobile cinema, then gauges their reactions and captures them on film.
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Title: Melvyn Bragg's Travels In Written Britain
Released: April 6, 2008
Type: TV
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Title: The Alan Titchmarsh Show
Character: Self
Released: September 3, 2007
Type: TV
The Alan Titchmarsh Show is a British daytime chat show presented by Alan Titchmarsh. It was first broadcast on ITV on 3 September 2007 and currently airs on weekday afternoons. The show's main focus is the "Best of British" theme with many of the shows' segments focusing on fashion, health, nature, cookery and animals.
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Life Beyond the Box: Norman Stanley Fletcher
Title: Life Beyond the Box: Norman Stanley Fletcher
Character: Himself
Released: December 29, 2003
Type: Movie
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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Title: The Adventure of English
Released: November 6, 2003
Type: TV
The history of the English language presented by Melvyn Bragg; from its modest beginnings around 500 AD as a minor Germanic dialect to its rise as a global language.
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Title: Believe Nothing
Released: July 14, 2002
Type: TV
Believe Nothing is a British ITV sitcom starring Rik Mayall as Quadruple Professor Adonis Cnut, the cleverest man in Britain, and Oxford's leading moral philosopher. He is paid huge amounts of money for his views consulted by the government but he's bored and wants adventure so he joins the shadowy organization The Council which controls everything going on in the world. Starring alongside Mayall is Michael Maloney as Brian Albumen, Cnut's faithful servant, and Emily Bruni as Dr. Hannah Awkward who becomes professor of pedantics. The series was written by Maurice Gran and Laurence Marks, who give a twist to many of today's global issues. Although much hyped by ITV, who were hoping to repeat the success of Gran and Marks' previous project with Mayall, the successful The New Statesman, the series failed to catch on, and was dropped after one series.
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Cinema of Fire: Iranian Cinema
Title: Cinema of Fire: Iranian Cinema
Character: Himself (Presenter)
Released: June 30, 2002
Type: Movie
A profile of the Iranian film industry
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R.E.M.
Title: R.E.M.
Character: Presenter
Released: May 9, 2002
Type: Movie
A documentary on the band
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Emir Kusturica
Title: Emir Kusturica
Character: Himself (Presenter)
Released: March 12, 2000
Type: Movie
A profile of the controversial Yugoslavian director.
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Countertenors
Title: Countertenors
Character: Presenter
Released: December 19, 1999
Type: Movie
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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Afro-Cuban All-Stars at the Salon of Dreams
Title: Afro-Cuban All-Stars at the Salon of Dreams
Character: Self
Released: July 19, 1998
Type: Movie
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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Title: The Garden Party
Released: July 11, 1998
Type: TV
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Keppel Road: The Life and Music of the Bee Gees
Title: Keppel Road: The Life and Music of the Bee Gees
Character: Self
Released: January 13, 1997
Type: Movie
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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Tennessee Williams: Orpheus of the American Stage
Title: Tennessee Williams: Orpheus of the American Stage
Character: Self
Released: December 19, 1994
Type: Movie
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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An Interview with Dennis Potter
Title: An Interview with Dennis Potter
Character: Interviewer
Released: November 19, 1994
Type: Movie
Dennis Potter a television dramatist talks about his work, politics and his fears for both.
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Portrait or Bust
Title: Portrait or Bust
Character: Himself (uncredited)
Released: April 4, 1994
Type: Movie
Alan Bennett's personal overview of art, filmed in the atmospheric location of a Leeds art gallery.
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The South Bank Show: Ken Loach
Title: The South Bank Show: Ken Loach
Character: Presenter
Released: October 3, 1993
Type: Movie
Television documentary about British film director Ken Loach.
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The Making of Sgt. Pepper
Title: The Making of Sgt. Pepper
Character: Self - Presenter
Released: June 14, 1992
Type: Movie
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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The South Bank Show: Terence Davies
Title: The South Bank Show: Terence Davies
Character: Interviewer
Released: April 5, 1992
Type: Movie
Television documentary about British film director Terence Davies and his film "The Long Day Closes."
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The South Bank Show: Noël Coward
Title: The South Bank Show: Noël Coward
Character: Host
Released: March 1, 1992
Type: Movie
Television documentary on playwright, actor, composer, and film maker Noel Coward.
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Bernard and the Genie
Title: Bernard and the Genie
Character: Himself
Released: November 23, 1991
Type: Movie
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
Title: Roy Lichtenstein
Character: Himself
Released: January 2, 1991
Type: Movie
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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Vivienne Westwood
Title: Vivienne Westwood
Character: Self
Released: April 8, 1990
Type: Movie
Profile of fashion designer, Vivienne Westwood.
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Title: Plunder
Released: March 5, 1990
Type: TV
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Sir Norbert Smith, a Life
Title: Sir Norbert Smith, a Life
Character: Interviewer
Released: November 3, 1989
Type: Movie
a spoof TV documentary film (a "mockumentary") charting the life and career of the fictitious British actor Sir Norbert Smith.
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The Tall Guy
Title: The Tall Guy
Character: Himself
Released: February 1, 1989
Type: Movie
An American actor in England tries to find love and work.
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Hockney at the Tate
Title: Hockney at the Tate
Character: Self
Released: October 30, 1988
Type: Movie
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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In from the Cold? A Portrait of Richard Burton
Title: In from the Cold? A Portrait of Richard Burton
Character: Self
Released: September 20, 1988
Type: Movie
Tony Palmer's award-winning feature-length documentary profile of Richard Burton.
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Bernardo Bertolucci and the Making of 'The Last Emperor'
Title: Bernardo Bertolucci and the Making of 'The Last Emperor'
Character: Presenter
Released: January 17, 1988
Type: Movie
Documentary about the making of the film first presented on the British television series "The South Bank Show".
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Francis Bacon
Title: Francis Bacon
Released: January 1, 1988
Type: Movie
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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The South Bank Show: Michael Powell
Title: The South Bank Show: Michael Powell
Character: Host
Released: October 16, 1986
Type: Movie
Documentary about British film director Michael Powell
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From the West Down to the East: Billy Bragg on The South Bank Show, March 1985
Title: From the West Down to the East: Billy Bragg on The South Bank Show, March 1985
Character: Self - Presenter
Released: March 31, 1985
Type: Movie
London Weekend Television. Hosted by Melvyn Bragg. First screened in the UK on 31st March 1985.
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David Lean: A Life in Film
Title: David Lean: A Life in Film
Character: Narrator
Released: January 1, 1985
Type: Movie
A documentary video that profiles the life of David Lean, the director of Doctor Zhivago and Lawrence of Arabia.
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The South Bank Show: 'Local Hero'
Title: The South Bank Show: 'Local Hero'
Character: Host
Released: February 27, 1983
Type: Movie
A documentary about the making of Bill Forsyth's 1983 film "Local Hero."
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Ermanno Olmi: The Roots of the Tree
Title: Ermanno Olmi: The Roots of the Tree
Character: Presenter
Released: May 3, 1981
Type: Movie
Documentary about Italian film director Ermanno Olmi, with emphasis on "The Tree of Wooden Clogs".
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The South Bank Show: Bob Fosse
Title: The South Bank Show: Bob Fosse
Character: Self
Released: March 8, 1981
Type: Movie
Interview with director/choreographer Bob Fosse, first shown on British television.
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The South Bank Show: The French Lieutenant's Woman
Title: The South Bank Show: The French Lieutenant's Woman
Character: Presenter
Released: January 1, 1981
Type: Movie
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
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The South Bank Show: William Golding
Title: The South Bank Show: William Golding
Character: Host
Released: November 16, 1980
Type: Movie
Interview with the British author, William Golding.
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The South Bank Show: Roman Polanski
Title: The South Bank Show: Roman Polanski
Character: Host
Released: May 25, 1980
Type: Movie
A documentary first presented on the South Bank Show in 1980 about the career of film director Roman Polanski.
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The Kids Are Alright
Title: The Kids Are Alright
Released: June 15, 1979
Type: Movie
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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Ingmar Bergman at 60
Title: Ingmar Bergman at 60
Character: Host
Released: July 8, 1978
Type: Movie
Documentary about the Swedish film director, produced for the UK television program "The South Bank."
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Title: The South Bank Show
Character: Self - Presenter
Released: January 14, 1978
Type: TV
The South Bank Show is a television arts magazine show that was produced by ITV between 1978 and 2010. A new series began on Sky Arts from 27 May 2012. Presented by Melvyn Bragg, the show aims to bring both high art and popular culture to a mass audience.
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Title: An Audience with...
Character: Self
Released: January 8, 1978
Type: TV
An Audience with... is a British entertainment television show produced by London Weekend Television, in which a host, usually a singer or comedian, performs for an invited audience of celebrity guests, interspersed with questions from the audience, in a light hearted revue/tribute style.
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Whose Doctor Who
Title: Whose Doctor Who
Character: Presenter
Released: April 3, 1977
Type: Movie
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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An Artist's Story
Title: An Artist's Story
Character: Himself - Presenter
Released: February 2, 1974
Type: Movie
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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Title: 2nd House
Character: Himself - Host
Released: October 6, 1973
Type: TV
Topical arts magazine introduced by Melvyn Bragg.
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Title: 2nd House
Character: Himself - Presenter
Released: October 6, 1973
Type: TV
Topical arts magazine introduced by Melvyn Bragg.
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Title: Great Performances
Character: Self
Released: January 28, 1971
Type: TV
The best in the performing arts from across America and around the world including a diverse programming portfolio of classical music, opera, popular song, musical theater, dance, drama, and performance documentaries.
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Title: Norbert Smith – a Life
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: TV
Norbert Smith – a Life is a spoof TV documentary film charting the life and career of the fictitious British actor Sir Norbert Smith. It stars Harry Enfield in the title role. It was written by Harry Enfield and Geoffrey Perkins and directed by Geoff Posner. It was made by Hat Trick Productions for Channel 4 and was first broadcast on 3 November 1989. The film is presented as if it were an edition of the ITV arts programme The South Bank Show, and features Melvyn Bragg, the presenter of the real South Bank Show, playing himself as the interviewer visiting Sir Norbert at his home, and encouraging him to reminisce about his past career. The humour arises from the fact that although Sir Norbert is acclaimed as one of Britain’s “Knights of the Theatre”, in the mould of a Laurence Olivier or John Gielgud, actually none of his contemporaries has anything particularly good to say about him, and he appears to have had limited success in landing good film roles. Interviewed now in his old age, he is demented, and has confused memories about his past. The main point of the film, however, is the parodying of various 20th century film genres, through interspersed clips that feature Enfield as Sir Norbert in a variety of film roles.
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Outbreak 1939: When War Broke Out
Title: Outbreak 1939: When War Broke Out
Character: Narrator
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie
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.