Tolkien

Tolkien 2019

7.00

England, early 20th century. The future writer and philologist John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (1892-1973) and three of his schoolmates create a strong bond between them as they share the same passion for literature and art, a true fellowship that strengthens as they grow up, but the outbreak of World War I threatens to shatter it.

2019

Felicia's Journey

Felicia's Journey 1999

6.31

Seventeen and pregnant, Felicia travels to England in search of her lover and is found instead by Joseph Ambrose Hilditch, a helpful catering manager whose kindness masks unsettling secret.

1999

Ray & Liz

Ray & Liz 2018

6.74

On the outskirts of Birmingham and the margins of society the Billingham family perform extreme rituals and break social taboos as they muddle through a life decided by factors beyond their control. At times shocking and laced with an unsettling humor, three episodes unfold as a powerful evocation of the experience of growing up in a Black Country council flat.

2018

Bhaji on the Beach

Bhaji on the Beach 1993

5.30

A group of South Asian women try but cannot escape their problems on a day trip to a British beach resort.

1993

I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle

I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle 1990

5.53

When a motorbike gang kills an occultist, the evil spirit he was summoning inhabits a damaged bike. The bike is then bought and restored, but reveals its true nature when it tries to exact vengance on the gang, and anyone else who gets in its way.

1990

Privilege

Privilege 1967

6.70

Britain's biggest pop singer, Steven Shorter, receives unwavering adulation and possesses total control over his rabid fans, which includes nearly the entire population. Yet Shorter is not an autonomous performer -- he is little more than a puppet for the government, promoting whatever agenda they see fit. When a beautiful artist, Vanessa Ritchie, is commissioned to paint his portrait, she pushes Shorter to question his obedience to his manipulative handlers.

1967

1 Day

1 Day 2009

5.10

This searing British thriller follows Flash (Dylan Duffus), who's safeguarding his buddy Angel's (Yohance Watson) cash until his release from prison. Now Angel is out -- and Flash is 100 pounds short. He turns to a lowlife named Evil (Tobias Duncan) for help, the first in a series of mistakes. Now, Flash has more than just Angel hunting him down. Directed by Penny Woolcock (Mischief Night), the film co-stars Ohran Whyte and Chris Wilson

2009

Odd Squad

Odd Squad 2021

1

This is a story of an entire family that are members of the LGBT+ community, and their individual/unified stories, struggles, and livelihoods.

2021

A Private Enterprise

A Private Enterprise 1975

6.00

An ambitious Indian university graduate has to struggle to live his entrepreneurial dreams against both the British social structure and his own family's stubborn traditional values.

1975

Handsworth Songs

Handsworth Songs 1986

5.50

The Black Audio Film Collective’s acclaimed essay film, 'Handsworth Songs', examines the 1985 race riots in Handsworth and London. Interweaving archival photographs, newsreel clips, and home movie footage, the film is both an exploration of documentary aesthetics and a broad meditation social and cultural oppression through Britain’s intertwined narratives of racism and economic decline.

1986

Fight for the F.A. Cup

Fight for the F.A. Cup 1963

1

The best of the action from over 30 years of FA Cup finals at Wembley Stadium.

1963

Tina Turner: Private Dancer Tour

Tina Turner: Private Dancer Tour 1985

7.00

In January 1985 in California, Tina received two awards at the American Music Awards: one for "best female singer" and the other for "best video actress." A month later, at the Grammy Awards, Tina took the stage three times: as "Best Singer", as "Best Rock Singer" and as Creator of "Best Song." The disc features one of Tina's best concerts at the peak of her popularity

1985

Drinkers Like Me: Adrian Chiles

Drinkers Like Me: Adrian Chiles 2018

10.00

Adrian Chiles takes a long hard look at his own love of boozing. He wants to find out why he and many others don't think they are addicted to alcohol, despite finding it almost impossible to enjoy life without it.

2018

A & E: When Patients Attack

A & E: When Patients Attack 2015

7.00

Hospital staff are reporting more violence and anti-social behaviour than ever before. In 2015, 8 staff were assaulted every hour – a new record high. At The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham – one of the UK’s biggest hospitals – they think they have the answer. Here a private security force of 46 uniformed guards, and a sophisticated CCTV system, keep staff and patients safe. A colourful mixture of characters ranging from ex-soldiers, to bouncers, to former elite sportsmen, it’s the security team’s job to keep the hospital running smoothly. With more than 2 million visitors they have to deal with all aspects of crime and anti-social behaviour. All against a back drop of life changing and life saving procedures.

2015

Philoxenia

Philoxenia 2021

1

Philoxenia is a short documentary highlighting the synergy between the Greek notion of philoxenia ("friend of the stranger") and Southern hospitality, as expressed through Birmingham, Alabama's Greek-owned restaurants. The film features six local favorite restaurants, two historians and, of course, a lot of mouthwatering dishes.

2021

Midland Journey

Midland Journey 1947

1

Tourist promo film extolling the delights of Birmingham and the Midlands, with a sprinkling of arch one-liners.

1947

Jennifer Hale

Jennifer Hale 1937

5.00

A showgirl who is wrongly accused of murdering her manager goes on the run to try to prove her innocence.

1937

Peaky Blinders

Peaky Blinders 2013

8.54

A gangster family epic set in 1919 Birmingham, England and centered on a gang who sew razor blades in the peaks of their caps, and their fierce boss Tommy Shelby, who means to move up in the world.

2013

Crossroads

Crossroads 1964

5.00

Crossroads is a British television soap opera set in a fictional motel near Birmingham, England. Created by Hazel Adair and Peter Ling, the commercial ITV network originally broadcast the series between 1964 and 1988. Produced by ATV and later by Central it became a byword for cheap production values, particularly in the 1970s and early 1980s. The series was revived in a glossier version by Carlton Television in 2001, but was again cancelled in 2003. The original theme tune was composed by Tony Hatch, and notably covered by Paul McCartney & Wings on their 1975 album Venus and Mars. A new version, which was first aired in 1987 when the series was relaunched as Crossroads, Kings Oak, was composed by Raf Ravenscroft and Max Early.

1964

Doctors

Doctors 2000

4.70

Set in the fictional Midlands town of Letherbridge, defined as being close to the city of Birmingham, this soap opera follows the staff and families of a doctor's surgery.

2000

Boon

Boon 1986

5.50

Boon is a British television drama and modern-day western series starring Michael Elphick, David Daker, and later Neil Morrissey. It was created by Jim Hill and Bill Stair and filmed by Central Television for ITV. It revolved around the life of a modern-day Lone Ranger and ex-firefighter, Ken Boon.

1986

The Rotters' Club

The Rotters' Club 2005

1

Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais' adaptation of Jonathon Coe's novel follow a group of Birmingham teenagers, and their families, through the 1970s.

2005

Citizen Khan

Citizen Khan 2012

7.13

Family-based sitcom set in the capital of British Pakistan - Sparkhill, Birmingham. Citizen Khan follows the trials and tribulations of loud-mouthed, tight-fisted, self-appointed community leader Mr Khan and his long suffering family, wife Mrs Khan and daughters Shazia and Alia.

2012

The Real Peaky Blinders

The Real Peaky Blinders 2022

6.80

Exploring the mass gang movement that originated in Birmingham and other industrial cities in the 19th century and evolved into modern gangsterism in the early 20th.

2022