Timewatch

Timewatch (1982-2017)

EndedDocumentary showMystery, History

A series of historical documentaries originally broadcast on BBC Two, but more recently airing on BBC Four.

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Scheduleevery Tuesday at 21:00 (60 min)

Last Episode

Explorers: Conquest and Calamity
Year 2017Episode 560 min

Explorers: Conquest and Calamity

For centuries the story of exploration has been packed with incredible tales of adventure, but the last fifty years has seen a dramatic shift in our attitude towards explorers.

To find out how television has reflected this, Prof Fara Dabhoiwala delves into the BBC television archives, revealing that the pace of this change was faster than you would imagine. In the 1960s the BBC was still making programmes showing Christopher Columbus as an uncomplicated conquering hero. Barely a decade later, it made a documentary that delved into museum storerooms packed with artifacts brought back to Britain by Captain Cook, focusing on the perspective of the explored rather than the explorer.

As the story of exploration became as much about social calamity as conquest, television has been forced to find new ways to portray explorers. By the 21st century this included everything from focusing on adventurers like Ernest Shackleton, famous not for conquest but for saving the lives of his men, to using new technology to demystify exploration by making programmes from material shot by the explorers themselves.

Aug. 1, 2017

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
2017-08-01Explorers: Conquest and CalamityAug. 1, 2017
2017-07-25Dictators and DespotsJuli 25, 2017
2017-07-18The Vikings: Foe or Friend?Juli 18, 2017
2017-07-13Decoding DisasterJuli 13, 2017
2017-02-01British Empire: Heroes and VillainsFeb. 1, 2017
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did Timewatch premiere?

Timewatch premiered on October 1, 1982.

Who created Timewatch?

Timewatch was created by Jeremy Bennett.

What genre is Timewatch classified as?

Timewatch is classified as a documentary series.

How many episodes were in the first season of Timewatch?

The first season of Timewatch consisted of five episodes.

Which channel aired Timewatch during its original run?

Timewatch originally aired on BBC Two.

What were some of the historical events covered in Timewatch?

Timewatch covered historical events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and the trial of Adolf Eichmann.

Was Timewatch a British television show?

Yes, Timewatch was a British television show.

Who narrated Timewatch during its original run?

Michael Wood narrated Timewatch during its original run.

Did Timewatch ever feature reenactments?

Yes, Timewatch occasionally featured reenactments of historical events.

Who were some of the experts featured in Timewatch?

Experts featured in Timewatch included historians, journalists, and people who were directly involved in the events being covered.

What was the main focus of Timewatch?

The main focus of Timewatch was to take a deep dive into historical events and provide a comprehensive examination of what really happened.

Was Timewatch well-received during its original run?

Yes, Timewatch was generally well-received by audiences and critics during its original run.

Did Timewatch ever receive any awards or nominations?

Yes, Timewatch won a BAFTA award for Best Documentary Series in 1983.

Did Timewatch ever feature interviews with people who were directly involved in the historical events being covered?

Yes, Timewatch often featured interviews with people who were directly involved in the historical events being covered.

Also known as

  • A Timewatch Guide (United Kingdom)

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