First transmitted in 1979, Arena profiles John Hoyland, seen by many as England's finest abstract painter. Show more

First transmitted in 1981, this documentary looks at the New York's Chelsea Hotel - a haven for some of the 20th Century's greatest talents, from Mark Twain to Dylan Thomas. Show more

First transmitted in 1982, Arena celebrates Roy Plomley's classic radio favourite, with the help of celebrity castaways, including Frankie Howerd, Arthur Askey and Paul McCartney. Show more

1983 reunion concert by the Everly Brothers following their ten-year split. They chose the Royal Albert Hall as they had treasured memories of playing there with their father Ike. Show more

1984 film about the Everly Brothers, among the most successful and revered of the early rock 'n' roll giants, who influenced the Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel and the Beach Boys. Show more

First transmitted in 1985, Blues Night presents rare footage of the harmonica blues player Sonny Boy Williamson. Show more

First transmitted in 1985, John Walters talks to B.B. King about his extraordinary life, from a childhood picking cotton in Mississippi to worldwide stardom. Show more

First transmitted in 1985, performances by Muddy Waters, Junior Wells and Buddy Guy showcase the tough urban music of Chicago. Show more

First transmitted in 1985, journalist Studs Terkel and pianist Blind John Davis meet in a Chicago bar to discuss and play the blues. Show more

First transmitted in 1985, this medley of the blues features Fred McDowell, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Lead Belly and Billie Holiday. Show more

First transmitted in 1985, Big Bill Broonzy sings and plays the blues in a Belgian nightclub. Show more

Profile celebrating the centenary of the famous author Agatha Christie’s birth. Looking at her life, her character and the key moments in her childhood that influenced her writing.

Following his release from prison, Nelson Mandela opens up about his life and the turbulent times he's faced in this rare and momentous interview with Arthur Miller. (1991) Show more

When pop artist Peter Blake confessed that his fantasy was to be the mysterious masked wrestler Kendo Nagasaki, little did he know what the consequences would be. (1992) Show more

Nelson Mandela and his fellow ex-prisoners recall their incarceration on Robben Island, South Africa's Alcatraz. (1994) Show more

Fried peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are on the menu as Arena documents the life and cuisine of Elvis Presley - whose talent was matched by his appetite. (1996) Show more

First transmitted in 2004, Jim White takes a road trip into the heart of the poor white American South through a gritty terrain of churches, prisons, truckstops and coalmines. Show more

Meet the musicians who perform at Crewe's Limelight Club, where the spirit of rock is alive in the form of tribute acts to the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain. (2007) Show more

Contemporary artist Gillian Wearing celebrates the legacy of Victorian novelist George Eliot in an experimental film made up of a diverse cast of people. Show more

How a US lifer survived long-term solitary confinement through a remarkable pen-pal friendship and the making of beautiful little paintings from M&M's. Show more