Wonders of Life

A look back at television appearances by legends of the silver screen, using archive footage to tell the story of their lives and careers.

Michael revisit his TV travels, and fans reflect on his achievement.

Gordon Buchanan explores wild lands found near the equator to see the effects of extensive human encroaching.

Writer and comedian Sara Pascoe is learning how to do the world's most endangered jobs, from ice-carving in Finland to climbing trees to making sweets in Cuba.

It was the world's last Islamic empire - a super-power of a million square miles. From its capital in Istanbul it matched the glories of Ancient Rome. And after six centuries in power it collapsed less than a hundred years ago. Rageh Omaar, who has reported from across this former empire, sets out to discover why the Ottomans have vanished from our understanding of the history of Europe. Why so few realise the importance of Ottoman history in today's Middle East. And why you have to know the Ottoman story to understand the roots of many of today's trouble spots from Palestine, Iraq and Israel to Libya, Syria, Egypt, Bosnia and Kosovo.

Michael Portillo travels the length and breadth of Australia by train.