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The Elephant Man
s06e04 · 2026-11-05 · 20:00
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Classic Movies: The Story of...
Sky Arts Documentary Next s06e05 · 2026-11-12 · 20:00
What it is
Classic Movies: The Story of... goes in search of the cinematically sublime. Those films that have transcended their era to enter the pantheon of greats.With each episode devoted to a single film, their story will be told with detail, affection, looking for the truth behind the myth, all the trials and triumphs that went into forging a classic. But this isn't simply history, the standard making of, it's about identifying those ingredients immortal scenes, performances, themes, luxuriant cinematography, art direction, special effects, music, even the power of a single line – that elevate a film to a new level.Hosted by Ian Nathan, guide us through the story from inception to legacy, supplemented with regular input along with special guest, with unique insight, historians who have devoted entire books, and visit to special location, where they shot or that served as a key inspiration, bringing each of these films to life with a dynamic presentation. We are on a journey to find out not what makes a film good, but what makes it classic.
Episode highlights
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The Blue Angel
s06e05 · 2026-11-12 · 20:00
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Episode guide
6 this season · 34 totals01e01 The Third Man 2023-08-31 19:00
The Third Man
A look at cinematic masterpieces, beginning with film critic Ian Nathan examining the qualities of director Carol Reed's 1949 film noir The Third Man, which starred Orson Welles and Joseph Cotten.
s01e02 The Ladykillers 2023-09-07 19:00
The Ladykillers
A look at Alexander Mackendrick's Ealing black comedy starring Alec Guinness and Katie Johnson, in which a criminal and his gang meet their match in the form of elderly landlady.
s01e03 Brighton Rock 2023-09-14 19:00
Brighton Rock
A look at John Boulting's 1944 film noir, which was adapted from Graham Greene's novel and starred Richard Attenborough as psychopathic gangster Pinkie Brown.
s01e04 The Graduate 2023-09-21 19:00
The Graduate
Movie critic Ian Nathan examines the qualities of Mike Nichols' 1967 romantic comedy drama, which starred Dustin Hoffman as a young man having an affair with a married woman.
s01e05 Ran 2023-09-28 19:00
Ran
Movie critic Ian Nathan examines the qualities that made 1985 epic action drama Ran, directed and co-written by Akira Kurosawa, an enduring classic.
s01e06 Terminator 2: Judgment Day 2023-10-05 19:00
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Movie critic Ian Nathan examines what made James Cameron's Terminator 2: Judgment Day, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, a sci-fi classic.