Britain's Greatest Codebreaker

Britain's Greatest Codebreaker 2012

6.10

Alan Turing is the genius British mathematician who was instrumental in breaking the German naval Enigma Code during World War II, arguably saving millions of lives. Turing's achievements went unrecognised during his lifetime. Instead he ended up being treated as a common criminal, for being homosexual at a time when homosexual acts were a crime. In 1952, he was convicted of 'gross indecency' with another man and was forced to undergo so-called 'organo-therapy' - chemical castration. Two years later, he killed himself with cyanide, aged just 41. Alan Turing was driven to a terrible despair and early death by the nation he'd done so much to save.

2012

The Secret Life of Chaos

The Secret Life of Chaos 2010

6.70

Chaos theory has a bad name, conjuring up images of unpredictable weather, economic crashes and science gone wrong. But there is a fascinating and hidden side to Chaos, one that scientists are only now beginning to understand. It turns out that chaos theory answers a question that mankind has asked for millennia - how did we get here?

2010

Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams

Mechanical Marvels: Clockwork Dreams 2013

7.33

Documentary presented by Professor Simon Schaffer which charts the amazing and untold story of automata - extraordinary clockwork machines designed hundreds of years ago to mimic and recreate life. The film brings the past to life in vivid detail as we see how and why these masterpieces were built. Travelling around Europe, Simon uncovers the history of these machines and shows us some of the most spectacular examples, from an entire working automaton city to a small boy who can be programmed to write and even a device that can play chess. All the machines Simon visits show a level of technical sophistication and ambition that still amazes today.

2013

Gravity and Me: The Force That Shapes Our Lives

Gravity and Me: The Force That Shapes Our Lives 2017

6.10

Professor Jim Al-Khalili investigates the amazing science of gravity. As well sculpting our universe, gravity also affects our weight, height and even the rate at which we age.

2017

Churchill's Darkest Decision

Churchill's Darkest Decision 2009

7.00

The background to, events of and consequences of the Battle of Mers-El-Kebir on 3 July 1940. In that battle, Royal Navy ships fired on the French Fleet in order to prevent it from falling into German hands. A French battleship was sunk and several other ships damaged. Nearly 1,300 French sailors were killed.

2009

Oak Tree: Nature's Greatest Survivor

Oak Tree: Nature's Greatest Survivor 2015

7.50

Oak Tree: Nature's Greatest Survivor. In this landmark new BBC documentary, entomologist George McGavin takes us on a fascinating journey through a year in the life of a 400-year-old oak tree.

2015

Pop! The Science of Bubbles

Pop! The Science of Bubbles 2013

5.00

Physicist Dr Helen Czerski takes us on a journey into the science of bubbles - not just fun toys, but also powerful tools that push back the boundaries of science.

2013

Surviving Mumbai

Surviving Mumbai 2009

6.00

Survivors of the Mumbai terrorist attacks tell the inside story of the actions and decisions that helped save their lives.

2009