Arena Season 33 Episodes

Episode 1

The Archers

On 7 November 2006,"The Archers" hit the headlines of every national newspaper when it brought to a climax one of its biggest ever story-lines - the love triangle between David Archer (Tim Bentinck), his wife Ruth Archer (Felicity Finch) and herdsman Sam Batton. In the final seconds of the 15,000th episode of the soap, Ruth decided not to consummate her relationship with Sam, and five million listeners across Britain either heaved a collective sigh of relief, or felt cruelly disappointed. In the days that followed, the official Archers website received 1.2 million page impressions. The Ruth/Sam/David storyline is an important one, but it is only the latest in a long line of stories that stretch back to 1 January 1951, when "The Archers" was first broadcast to the nation. As things start to return to normal at Brookfield, who knows what new stories will unfold for the 60-odd other Ambridge residents on whose lives we eavesdrop every weekday, just after 7pm? In this film, broadcast 56 years to the day since the series began, Arena goes behind the scenes at the Archers production office and tracks the development of that dramatic 15,000th episode, from the script meeting last August where the story was mapped out by the team of writers under editor Vanessa Whitburn, through to the writing of the scripts, the studio recording and the response from listeners. We also catch a glimpse of the team preparing for the New Year's Day episode which will have gone out just before the film is broadcast. With extracts from episodes through the ages and interviews with actors, editors, writers and fans, plus comic moments from spoofs, Arena examines the enduring appeal of "The Archers". How has an agricultural soap opera, based in deepest Borsetshire (allegedly somewhere near Worcestershire) but produced in the urban sprawl of Birmingham become so deeply embedded in the British consciousness? And could it's theme tune be the nation's single most loved and loathed piece of music? Stephen Fry narrates the film, which is directed and produced by Emily Kennedy. Guy Crossman is the film editor and the researcher is Sue Fowler. Anthony Wall is the editor of Arena.

Episode 2

Underground

57 mins

Documentary about the Tube, the world's oldest underground system, with its own unwritten rules of behaviour and protocol, and used by three million passengers every day.

Episode 3

Bob Marley: Exodus 77

The year 1977 was a crucial one in the life of reggae superstar Bob Marley. Forced to leave Jamaica he made an album in London, Exodus, that propelled his music and message of Rastafari across the planet.

Episode 4

Encountering Bergman

A profile of the famous Swedish film director Ingmar Bergman through the eyes of three people who interviewed him.

Episode 5

Bergman and Faro Island

Reclusive film director Ingmar Bergman talks about his career from his home on the desolate and mysterious Baltic island of Faro. He talks about his childhood that shaped him and of how the art of film was often a comfort to him.

Episode 6

Bergman and the Cinema

Documentary. Ingmar Bergman, one of the world's most important and influential filmmakers, pays one final visit to Filmstaden, where many of his films were made.

Episode 7

Flames of Passion: The Other Side of British Cinema

90 mins

A programme making the case for the greatness of British films of the 40s, 50s and 60s.

Episode 8

The Original Archers

A visualisation of the earliest existing episode of the Archers from the BBC archives - 11th March 1952 - using archive footage to recreate the period.

Episode 9

Into the Limelight

80 mins

A documentary looking at the tribute bands who play at and the life that revolves the Limelight Club in a converted Methodist church in Crewe in the north west of England.

Episode 10

Tribute Bands - Live

Live performances by tribute bands such as Limehouse Lizzy, Are You Experienced, The Jamm and ABCD, at Crewe's Limelight Club.

Episode 11

Dylan's Folk: The Pure, the Bad and the Holy

A look at the Newport folk festival and the American folk revival of the 60s, which encompassed old time mountain music, blues and gospel.

Episode 12

The Other Side of the Mirror - Bob Dylan at the Newport Folk Festival

Murray Lerner's documentary features Bob Dylan's performances at the Newport folk festival between 1963 and 1965 - the time when Dylan changed the music of the world.

Episode 13

Ken Dodd's Happiness

58 mins

A tribute to the Liverpudlian comic Ken Dodd. He discusses his 50-year career and the influences of his comedy style.