20th Century Drama and Fiction

An Inspector Calls

An Inspector Calls (2015)

2015 | 1'26'26''

The mysterious 'Inspector Goole' interrupts a wealthy family's family party to tell them a young woman died of suicide that night.

Inspector Gooles arrival at the Birling home | An Inspector Calls

BBC One | 2015 | 4'53''

In a film adaption of 'An Inspector Calls', Inspector Goole arrives as the Birling household.

Inspector Gooles speech | An Inspector Calls

BBC One | 2015 | 2'25''

In a film adaption of 'An Inspector Calls', Inspector Goole's speech.

Mr Birling sacks Eva Smith | An Inspector Calls

BBC One | 2015 | 3'38''

Mr Birling's interactions with Eva Smith are shown through flashbacks.

The interrogation of Eric | An Inspector Calls

BBC One | 2015 | 4'32''

Inspector Goole interrogates Eric about his interactions with Eva Smith.

The interrogation of Gerald | An Inspector Calls

BBC One | 2015 | 3'17''

Inspector Goole interrogates Gerald about his interactions with Eva Smith.

The interrogation of Mrs Birling | An Inspector Calls

BBC One | 2015 | 4'29''

Inspector Goole interrogates Mrs Birling about her interactions with Eva Smith.

The interrogation of Sheila | An Inspector Calls

BBC One | 2015 | 5'36''

Inspector Goole interrogates Sheila about her interactions with Eva Smith.

Inspector Goole refuses to leave | An Inspector Calls

BBC One | 2015 | 1'18''

The scene from 'An Inspector Calls' in which Inspector Goole refuses to leave.

An Inspector Calls' - Social and political context of 1912 | In Context

BBC Two | 2008 | 4'01''

An investigation of the political and social context of 1919, the time in which J. B. Priestly set 'A...

An Inspector Calls' - Social and political context of 1945 | In Context

BBC Two | 2008 | 3'47''

An investigation of the post-war social and political context in which J. B. Priestly wrote 'An Inspe...

The moral of 'An Inspector Calls' | In Context

BBC Two | 2008 | 3'35''

A discussion of the morals that J. B. Priestly leaves for the audience of 'An Inspector Calls'.

Women in 'An Inspector Calls' | In Context

BBC Two | 2008 | 4'12''

An investigation of the social and political context behind the female character in J. B. Priestly's 'An Inspector Calls'.

An Inspector Calls' - historical context (pt 2/3) | In Context

BBC Two | 2008 | 3'04''

A discussion of the historical context and influences behind J B Priestley's 'An Inspector Calls'.

In Context | An Inspector Calls

2008 | 19'18''

The social and cultural background to ''An Inspector Calls'', explored through archive footage, readings and personal accounts.

An Inspector Calls (1984)

1981 | 1'19'21''

This program is a compilation of the three-part play originally transmitted in 1981. With Bernard Hepton, Nigel Davenport and Margaret Tyzack.

Animal Farm

English File | In Context Animal Farm

2002 | 19'20''

A historical background to George Orwell's 'Animal Farm' being studied for English Lit GCSE.

Boxer | Animal Farm

BBC Two | 1954 | 5'13''

From an animated adaptation of George Orwell's 'Animal Farm', Boxer is sent away to the glue factory after an injury leaves him unable to work.

Napoleon takes charge | Animal Farm

BBC Two | 1954 | 4'16''

From an animated adaptation of George Orwell's 'Animal Farm', Napoleon takes charge after Snowball is chased away from Animal Farm.

Old Major calls a meeting | Animal Farm

BBC Two | 1954 | 6'06''

From an animated adaptation of George Orwell's 'Animal Farm', Old Major calls a secret meeting for all the farm animals, to organise ...

The 7 commandments | Animal Farm

BBC Two | 1954 | 1'12''

From an animated adaptation of George Orwell's 'Animal Farm', the farm animals set out the new rules of Animal Farm.

The ending | Animal Farm

BBC Two | 1954 | 4'15''

From an animated adaptation of George Orwell's 'Animal Farm', the pigs learn how to walk and begin to wear human clothes.

The revolution | Animal Farm

BBC Two | 1954 | 4'56''

From an animated adaptation of George Orwell's 'Animal Farm', the farm animals rebel against Mr Jones and claim the farm as their own.

Traitors | Animal Farm

BBC Two | 1954 | 6'29''

From an animated adaptation of George Orwell's 'Animal Farm', the hens rebel against Napoleon after being forced to give up their eggs.

Animal Farm' and the Russian Revolution | English File

BBC Two | 2002 | 3'35''

An exploration of the historical context of the Russian Revolution and how it influenced George Orwell's 'Animal Farm'.

Soviet purges | English File

BBC Two | 2002 | 3'12''

An exploration of Soviet terror and the purges that also appear in George Orwell's 'Animal Farm'.

Stalin's 5 year plan | English File

BBC Two | 2002 | 3'11''

An explanation of Stalin's 5 year plan, as context to the plot of George Orwell's 'Animal Farm'.

The ending of 'Animal Farm' | English File

BBC Two | 2002 | 1'16''

An exploration of the ending of George Orwell's 'Animal Farm'.

'Animal Farm' historical context | In Context

BBC Two | 2008 | 3'30''

A discussion of the historical context of George Orwell's 'Animal Farm', including the influence of the British attitude to Sta...

To Kill a Mockingbird

Setting for 'To Kill a Mockingbird' | In Context

BBC Two | 2008 | 3'59''

An discussion of Southern America, the setting for Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.

To Kill a Mockingbird' - Segregation and Martin Luther King | In Context

BBC Two | 2008 | 3'09''

The historical context of Martin Luther King and segregation in Southern America.

To Kill a Mockingbird' - Southern American race violence | In Context

BBC Two | 2008 | 3'58''

An introduction to the history of white violence against black people in Southern America.

To Kill a Mockingbird' - The court case | In Context

BBC Two | 2008 | 2'53''

A discussion of the historical background and influences to the character of Tom Robinson and his alleged crime.

Atticus kills a dog | To Kill a Mockingbird

BBC Four | 1960 | 2'48''

From the Oscar winning adaptation of 'To Kill a Mockingbird', Atticus shocks Scout and Jem by shooting a mad dog.

Atticus takes up Tom Robinson's case | To Kill a Mockingbird

BBC Four | 1960 | 3'18''

From the Oscar winning adaptation of 'To Kill a Mockingbird', Atticus takes up Tom Robinson's case.

Atticus's closing speech | To Kill a Mockingbird

BBC Four | 1960 | 5'52''

From the Oscar winning adaptation of 'To Kill a Mockingbird', Atticus pleads with the jury to find Tom Robinson innocent.

Boo Radley | To Kill a Mockingbird

BBC Four | 1960 | 2'07''

From the Oscar winning adaptation of 'To Kill a Mockingbird', Scout and Jem tell Dill stories about Boo Radley.

Boo Radley saves Scout and Jem | To Kill a Mockingbird

BBC Four | 1960 | 8'20''

From the Oscar winning adaptation of 'To Kill a Mockingbird', Jem and Scout are saved by Boo Radley when Bob Ewell att...

Mayella Ewell testifies in court | To Kill a Mockingbird

BBC Four | 1960 | 6'11''

From the Oscar winning adaptation of 'To Kill a Mockingbird', Mayella Ewell testifies in court and is interrogated b...

Scout's first day at school | To Kill a Mockingbird

BBC Four | 1960 | 7'54''

From the Oscar winning adaptation of 'To Kill a Mockingbird', Scout does not take well to her first day of school.

The hole in the tree | To Kill a Mockingbird

BBC Four | 1960 | 4'18''

From the Oscar winning adaptation of 'To Kill a Mockingbird', Scout and Jem find gifts in a hole in the tree outside Boo Radley'...

The lynch mob | To Kill a Mockingbird

BBC Four | 1960 | 6'19''

From the Oscar winning adaptation of 'To Kill a Mockingbird', Atticus sits outside Tom Robinson's jail cell to save him from a lynch mob.

The sheriff and Bob Ewell testify | To Kill a Mockingbird

BBC Four | 1960 | 6'10''

From the Oscar winning adaptation of 'To Kill a Mockingbird', the court case begins with witness testimonies from t...

Tom Robinson testifies | To Kill a Mockingbird

BBC Four | 1960 | 6'46''

From the Oscar winning adaptation of 'To Kill a Mockingbird', Tom Robinson tells the story of his interactions with Mayella Ew...

Maycomb/ Monroeville | To Kill a Mockingbird at 50

BBC Four | 2010 | 3'17''

Andrew Smith does a tour of Monroeville, a town that was the influence for Maycomb in 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.

The Civil Rights Movement | To Kill a Mockingbird at 50

BBC Four | 2010 | 2'39''

Andrew Smith explores the Civil Rights Movement in the sixties in relation to 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.

The reception of To Kill a Mockingbird | To Kill a Mockingbird at 50

BBC Four | 2010 | 2'40''

Andrew Smith investigates the reception and legacy of Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.

The Trial | To Kill a Mockingbird at 50

BBC Four | 2010 | 3'49''

Andrew Smith investigates a trial that could have inspired Harper Lee when she was writing 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.

To Kill a Mockingbird introduction | To Kill a Mockingbird at 50

BBC Four | 2010 | 1'27''

An introduction to the plot and themes of Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.

The Handmaid’s Tale

The Handmaid's Tale | Novels That Shaped Our World

BBC Two | 2019 | 4'21''

An introduction to the plot and context of Margaret Atwood's 'The Handmaid's Tale', including readings from the book.

Introduction to the Handmaids Tale | imagine…

BBC One | 2018 | 3'54''

An introduction to the Margaret Atwood's 'The Handmaid's Tale'.

Gilead and totalitarianism | Front Row Late

BBC Two | 2019 | 1'50''

Mary Beard and Margaret Atwood debate totalitarianism within Gilead and whether its demise is inevitable.

Atwoods upbringing in Canada | imagine…

BBC One | 2018 | 5'25''

Margaret Atwood discusses her upbringing in Canada and how it has shaped her writing.

Atwood on politics | Front Row Late

BBC Two | 2019 | 2'39''

Mary and Margaret discuss politics, the glass ceiling and Aunt Lydia's powerful position in this respect compared to the handmaid's.

Canadian literature | imagine…

BBC One | 2018 | 3'54''

An introduction to Canadian literature and how Margaret Atwood's writing fits in.

Feminism and #MeToo | Front Row Late

BBC Two | 2019 | 7'21''

Margaret and Mary discuss the differing strands of feminism and what happens after #MeToo.

Margaret Atwood | imagine…

BBC One | 2018 | 4'21''

An introduction to the life and work of Margaret Atwood.

Atwood on ''The Handmaid's Tale'' | Talking Books

BBC News | 2013 | 4'56''

Margaret Atwood discusses the reality of The Handmaid's Tale in modern life, the influences she drew from and why it has be...

The handmaid's clothing | imagine…

BBC One | 2018 | 1'12''

Margaret Atwood explains the influences for the handmaid's clothing.

The Handmaids Tale and womens rights | imagine…

BBC One | 2018 | 2'32''

Margaret Atwood discusses the impact that 'The Handmaid's Tale' has had on the fight for women's rights.

Aunt Lydia in ''The Testaments'' | Front Row Late

BBC Two | 2019 | 1'45''

Margaret Atwood discusses the role of Aunty Lydia in ''The Handmaid's Tale'' and the sequel ''The Testaments''.

Reading in Gilead | Front Row Late

BBC Two | 2019 | 1'26''

Margaret Atwood ponders on the powerful tool that is reading and books, in relation to breaking the power of totalitarianism.

Lord of the Flies

Lord of the Flies (1963)

1963 | 1'26'53''

Compelling film adaptation of William Golding's disturbing tale of a group of stranded schoolchildren who revert to primitive savagery following a p...

Civilisation and savagery | Arena

BBC Four | 2012 | 3'50''

Exploring the themes of civilisation and savagery in 'Lord of the Flies'.

Introduction to William Golding | Arena

BBC Four | 2012 | 3'35''

An introduction to the character of William Golding and his work as a school teacher.

In Context | Lord of the Flies

2008 | 19'01''

The social and cultural background to ''Lord of the Flies'', explored through archive footage, readings and personal accounts.

Lord of the Flies - Characters | GCSE Bitesize Revision

BBC Two | 2009 | 3'16''

A summary of the characters in William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies'.

Lord of the Flies - Plot Summary | GCSE Bitesize Revision

BBC Two | 2009 | 6'14''

A plot summary of William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies'.

Lord of the Flies - Themes | GCSE Bitesize Revision

BBC Two | 2009 | 3'50''

A summary of the themes of William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies'.

Civilisation in 'Lord of the Flies' | In Context

BBC Two | 2008 | 6'16''

An exploration of the theme of civilisation and how William Golding was influenced by the second world war.

Lord of the Flies' - Plot and influences | In Context

BBC Two | 2008 | 4'42''

An exploration of the plot and influences for William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies'.

Lord of the Flies' - The theme of fear | In Context

BBC Two | 2008 | 4'58''

An exploration of the theme of fear in William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies'.

'Kill the pig'' | Lord of the Flies

BBC Two | 1963 | 4'28''

From the 1963 adaptation of William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies': the fire goes out when Jack and his group prioritise hunting, and they...

Fire and shelter | Lord of the Flies

BBC Two | 1963 | 6'17''

From the 1963 adaptation of William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies', Ralph organises the boys and they begin to make fire and shelters.

Piggy's death | Lord of the Flies

BBC Two | 1963 | 6'19''

From the 1963 adaptation of William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies', Piggy is hit by a boulder and falls to his death.

Ralph is elected chief | Lord of the Flies

BBC Two | 1963 | 4'26''

From the 1963 adaptation of William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies', the boys find each other and elect Ralph as their chief.

Stranded on the island | Lord of the Flies

BBC Two | 1963 | 4'29''

In the opening scene to the 1963 adaptation of William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies', Ralph and Piggy attempt to find the others a...

The Beast | Lord of the Flies

BBC Two | 1963 | 7'16''

From the 1963 adaptation of William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies', fear for the Beast grows and Simon is killed by the others.

The ending | Lord of the Flies

BBC Two | 1963 | 4'36''

From the 1963 adaptation of William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies', Ralph is chased by the other boys until adults arrive at the island.

The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby | Novels That Shaped Our World

BBC Two | 2019 | 3'49''

A class analysis of Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby'.

Autobiographical influence in 'The Great Gatsby' | The Culture Show

BBC Two | 2013 | 4'43''

Jay Mclnerney explains how F Scott Fitzgerald's relationship with his wife Zelda Fitzgerald influenced th...

Initial reception to 'The Great Gatsby' | The Culture Show

BBC Two | 2013 | 2'05''

Jay Mclnerney discusses the underwhelming initial reception of 'The Great Gatsby'.

Jay Gatsby | The Culture Show

BBC Two | 2013 | 3'19''

An introduction to the character of Gatsby told through captions from the novel and letters written by F Scott Fitzgerald.

Daisy and Gatsby meet again | The Great Gatsby

BBC Two | 2013 | 5'22''

From Baz Luhrmann's 2013 adaptation of 'The Great Gatsby', Daisy and Gatsby meet again in Nick's cottage.

Dinner at Tom and Daisy's | The Great Gatsby

BBC Two | 2013 | 6'35''

From Baz Luhrmann's 2013 adaptation of 'The Great Gatsby', Nick Carraway goes for dinner at Tom and Daisy Buchanan's house.

Gatsby and Daisy's past | The Great Gatsby

BBC Two | 2013 | 3'00''

From Baz Luhrmann's 2013 adaptation of 'The Great Gatsby', the history of Gatsby and Daisy's relationship.

Gatsby's party | The Great Gatsby

BBC Two | 2013 | 5'47''

From Baz Luhrmann's 2013 adaptation of 'The Great Gatsby', Nick Carraway goes to Gatsby's party for the first time.

Myrtle and the valley of ashes | The Great Gatsby

BBC Two | 2013 | 4'10''

From Baz Luhrmann's 2013 adaptation of 'The Great Gatsby', Tom Buchanan takes Nick Carraway to visit his mistress Myrtle in...

Setting | The Great Gatsby

BBC Two | 2013 | 1'56''

From Baz Luhrmann's 2013 adaptation of 'The Great Gatsby', setting the scene of Long Island in 1942.

Tom confronts Gatsby | The Great Gatsby

BBC Two | 2013 | 7'47''

From Baz Luhrmann's 2013 adaptation of 'The Great Gatsby', on a hot day in New York, Tom confronts Gatsby.

Anita and Me

Anita's mother leaves home | Anita and Me

BBC Two | 2002 | 3'12''

Anita is invited for dinner at Meena's house after her mum abandons her.

Diwali | Anita and Me

BBC Two | 2002 | 4'49''

Meena celebrates Diwali with her family.

Nanima | Anita and Me

BBC Two | 2002 | 3'42''

Meena's grandmother comes to visit from India.

Opening | Anita and Me

BBC Two | 2002 | 5'02''

The opening scene of 'Anita and Me', introducing the setting and characters.

The charity box | Anita and Me

BBC Two | 2002 | 3'36''

Meena steals the charity box for Anita and blames it on her cousins.

The fete | Anita and Me

BBC Two | 2002 | 3'54''

There is a racist incident at the Tollington fete and Meena is in an accident.

Free Thinking | Meera Syal

2015 | 43'44''

Meera Syal and Tanika Gupta talk to Rana Mitter about turning Anita and Me into a play.

Mrs Dalloway

Mrs Dalloway' - Plot and themes | Icons

BBC Two | 2019 | 3'22''

Lily Cole discusses the plot, themes and narrative structure of Virginia Woolf's novel 'Mrs Dalloway'.

Woolf's use of language in 'Mrs Dalloway' | In Their Own Words: British Novelists

BBC Four | 2010 | 4'03''

Discussions of Virginia Woolf's use of language in 'Mrs Dalloway', including an extract of ...

Clarissa Dalloway | The Secret Life of Books

BBC Four | 2018 | 3'14''

Alexandra Harris discusses the autobiographical influences behind Virginia Woolf's character Clarissa Dalloway.

Clarissa Dalloway's party | The Secret Life of Books

BBC Four | 2018 | 3'16''

Alexandra Harris explores the party at the end of Virginia Woolf's 'Mrs Dalloway'.

Context and form of Mrs Dalloway | The Secret Life of Books

BBC Four | 2018 | 4'12''

Alexandra Harris discusses the historical context for 'Mrs Dalloway' and how this influenced the form of the novel.

Introduction to Mrs Dalloway | The Secret Life of Books

BBC Four | 2018 | 2'14''

Alexandra Harris introduces Virginia Woolf's text 'Mrs Dalloway' and provides a summary of the plot.

Original manuscript of Mrs Dalloway | The Secret Life of Books

BBC Four | 2018 | 4'08''

Alexandra Harris investigates Virginia's writing process by looking through an original manuscript of 'Mrs Dal...

The Grapes of Wrath

Background and reception of The Grapes of Wrath | John Steinbeck: Voice of America

BBC Four | 2011 | 4'22''

Melvyn Bragg discusses the background and reception of John Steinbeck's 'The Grapes of Wra...

Introduction to The Grapes of Wrath | John Steinbeck: Voice of America

BBC Four | 2011 | 1'54''

An introduction to John Steinbeck's novel 'The Grapes of Wrath'.

Mass migration in The Grapes of Wrath | John Steinbeck: Voice of America

BBC Four | 2011 | 4'08''

Melvyn Bragg discusses the main characters in 'The Grapes of Wrath' and why they were forced to migr...

Steinbeck's upbringing | John Steinbeck: Voice of America

BBC Four | 2011 | 1'32''

Melvyn Bragg discusses John Steinbeck's upbringing and how it influenced his writing.

The Great Depression | John Steinbeck: Voice of America

BBC Four | 2011 | 3'12''

Melvyn Bragg investigates the Great Depression, which became the backdrop to John Steinbeck's 'The Grapes of Wrath'.

Weedpatch | John Steinbeck: Voice of America

BBC Four | 2011 | 3'19''

Melvyn Bragg the camp that was the model for Weedpatch in 'The Grapes of Wrath', the democratic government camp.

Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men' - Dust Bowl | In Context

BBC Two | 2008 | 2'41''

An exploration of the Dust Bowl in America and how it influenced 'Of Mice and Men'.

Of Mice and Men' - John Steinbeck | In Context

BBC Two | 2008 | 3'45''

An introduction to John Steinbeck and the setting in which he wrote 'Of Mice and Men'.

Of Mice and Men' - The American Dream | In Context

BBC Two | 2008 | 5'55''

An exploration of the American Dream and how it influenced 'Of Mice and Men'.

Of Mice and Men - The Wall Street Crash | In Context