BBC Arena Movie Trailers
Most Popular BBC Arena Trailers
Total trailers found: 84
The Private Life of the Ford Cortina Trailer (1982)
19 January 1982
A ski run in Italy, a supermarket manager in Luton, a sandwich bar in London EC2, Arena opens the bonnet of the Ford Cortina, Britain's most popular, most stolen, and most misunderstood car.
The GPO Story Trailer (1983)
14 December 1983
Documentary which examines the work of the GPO Film Unit in its fiftieth year. Co-produced by The Post Office and Arena.
Harold Pinter: A Celebration Trailer (2010)
24 January 2010
In June 2009, a group Britain's leading actors gathered for one night only to perform a celebration of the work of Harold Pinter at the National Theatre, directed by Ian Rickson.
The Very Strange Story of the Legendary Joe Meek Trailer (1991)
08 February 1991
Documentary about the influential pop composer and record producer Joe Meek, who died in dramatic circumstances in 1967 after a bizarre childhood and a career, often controversial, which spanned the period from the mid-50s to the rise of the Beatles in the 60s.
The Many Lives of Richard Attenborough Trailer (2003)
24 August 2003
Two-part Arena special celebrating the life and distinguished career of one of Britain's best-loved public figures.
The Orson Welles Story Trailer (1982)
18 May 1982
Profile of Orson Welles, looking at his life and career in theatre, radio and particularly film.
The 50 Year Argument Trailer (2014)
07 June 2014
Follows the waves of literary, political, and cultural history as charted by the The New York Review of Books, America’s leading journal of ideas for over 50 years.
The Agony and Ecstasy of Phil Spector Trailer (2008)
25 October 2008
Phil Spector is a pioneer of American music, a legendary producer to John Lennon and Tina Turner, and, as of April 13th 2009, a convicted murderer.
The Real Buddy Holly Story Trailer (1985)
12 September 1985
This is the definitive video biography of rock 'n roll legend Buddy Holly. Produced and hosted by former Beatle, Paul McCartney, includes interviews with Keith Richards, Phil and Don Everly, Sonny Curtis, Jerry Allison, Holly's family, and McCartney himself, among others.
Stonewall Trailer (1995)
26 December 1995
A group of gay friends try to live with dignity and self-respect while events build to the opening battle in the major gay rights movement.
Upon Westminster Bridge Trailer (1982)
23 November 1982
Considered one of the best ‘dub’ poets of his time, Mikey Smith is internationally renown for the socially engaged form and content of his work.
The Rolling Stones: 25x5 - The Continuing Adventures of The Rolling Stones Trailer (1993)
03 December 1993
The Rolling Stones emerged in the summer of 1963 as the so-called "bad boys" antidote to the Beatles, a characterization that became one of the foundations of modern rock 'n' roll.
Nicolas Roeg: It's About Time... Trailer (2015)
28 June 2015
The first major profile of the great British film director Nicolas Roeg, examining his very personal vision of cinema as in such films as Don't Look Now, Performance, Walkabout and The Man Who Fell to Earth.
Have You Seen The Mona Lisa...? Trailer (1981)
03 November 1981
Arena looks behind the Gioconda smile. The Mona Lisa hangs in the Louvre behind plate glass - an unsigned, undated portrait of a smiling woman.
I Shot Andy Warhol Trailer (1996)
01 May 1996
The story of Valerie Solanas, a '60s radical who preached misandry in her "SCUM" manifesto. She wrote a screenplay for a film that she wanted Andy Warhol to produce, but he repeatedly ignored her.
Wisconsin Death Trip Trailer (1999)
05 September 1999
Inspired by the book of the same name, film-maker James Marsh relays a tale of tragedy, murder and mayhem that erupted behind the respectable facade of Black River Falls, Wisconsin in the 19th century.
Sandra Bernhard: Confessions of a Pretty Lady Trailer (1994)
24 April 1994
Bernhard, an actress-comedienne whose brassy humor attracts a cult-like following, here offers a semiconfessional view of her life's landscape.
Desert Island Discs Trailer (1982)
23 February 1982
Arena celebrates Roy Plomley's Desert Island Discs with the help of many celebrity castaways, including Frankie Howerd, Russell Harty, Trevor Brooking, the Lord Mayor of London, Professor JK Galbraith and Arthur Askey.
The Changin' Times of Ike White Trailer (2020)
28 February 2020
Ike White was a musical prodigy who recorded a funk and soul classic album inside a Californian prison in 1974.
Rudies Come Back (The Rise & Rise of 2-Tone) Trailer (1980)
12 March 1980
Adrian Thrills investigates a new and exhilarating musical blend which is taking the country by storm.
The Life and Times of Don Luis Buñuel Trailer (1984)
11 February 1984
Made a year after Luis Buñuel's death in 1983 this is an illuminating portrait of the surreal and visionary director, featuring clips, archival interviews, and commentary from scholars and contemporaries including Catherine Deneuve, Fernando Rey, and Jeanne Moreau.
All the World's a Screen: Shakespeare on Film Trailer (2016)
24 April 2016
An exploration into the history of Shakespeare's plays, from the silent era to the modern day featuring archive interviews with movie directors including Laurence Olivier, Orson Welles, Franco Zeffirelli, Kenneth Branagh and more.
Making 'The Shining' Trailer (1980)
04 October 1980
Directed and edited by Stanley Kubrick's daughter Vivian Kubrick, this film offers a look behind the scenes during the making of The Shining.
Mike Leigh: Making Plays Trailer (1982)
04 September 1982
Writer and Director Mike Leigh discusses the techniques used to create his plays.
Arena: Dire Straits Trailer (1980)
22 December 1980
Arena cameras were on hand to film the return of Dire Straits from their triumphant 1980 Brothers in Arms world tour.
My Dinner with Louis Trailer (1984)
06 May 1984
Interview with director Louis Malle conducted by Wallace Shawn, produced for the BBC-TV programme "Arena".
The $50 Million Art Swindle Trailer (2019)
23 September 2019
The remarkable true story of Michael Cohen, a charlatan art dealer who swindled over $50 million from the art establishment before going on the run.
Produced by George Martin Trailer (2012)
11 September 2012
A profile of Sir George Martin, Britain's most celebrated record producer, from his early days at EMI/Parlophone to his work with The Beatles.
African Apocalypse Trailer (2020)
16 October 2020
Rob Lemkin’s harrowing yet urgent documentary shines a lens on the trauma and legacy of colonialism in one of Africa’s poorest nations, Niger.
Loaded: Lads, Mags & Mayhem Trailer (2024)
22 November 2024
Launched 30 years ago, Loaded magazine epitomised the 90s in its irreverence and appetite for hedonism.
Beat This!: A Hip Hop History Trailer (1984)
05 January 1984
Beat This: A Hip-Hop History is a 1984 BBC documentary film about hip-hop culture, directed by Dick Fontaine.
The Brian Epstein Story Trailer (1998)
25 December 1998
Documentary on the life of Brian Epstein, the man who brought The Beatles to fame. A Documentary examining the turbulent life and career of Beatles manager Brian Epstein.
The Peter Sellers Story Trailer (1995)
09 July 1995
Told in his own words, and including many well-known personalities from Stanley Kubrick, Sophia Loren and Robert Wagner to members of the Royal Family, in particular Princess Margaret and Prince Charles, this revealing film builds a fascinating and definitive record of a unique genius.
Bette Davis: The Benevolent Volcano Trailer (1983)
02 November 1983
A documentary about and an interview with Hollywood actress Bette Davis about her life and career from the late 1920s to the 1980s on stage and mostly before the camera.
The Last Soviet Citizen Trailer (1993)
13 February 1993
For three decades the Soviet Union's obsession with space stirred the soul of the nation like a secular religion - from the first space star Yuri Gagarin to the sad saga of cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev who circled the planet for almost a year, a helpless spectator of the momentous events back home on earth.
My Way Trailer (1979)
12 March 1979
Arena documentary investigating the history and influence of iconic song 'My Way'
Blackpool Wakes Trailer (1989)
13 January 1989
From political conferences to the George Formby Society's annual bash, and Pleasure Beach to the weather, an Arena documentary on the seaside town of Blackpool and its history.
Armistead Maupin Is a Man I Dreamt Up Trailer (1993)
23 June 1993
An affectionate portrait of San Francisco, and of the man whose Tales of the City have inspired thousands to go there.
Into the Limelight: Tribute Bands Trailer (2007)
06 October 2007
An affectionate look at what goes on behind the scenes of the Limelight Club in Crewe, where for ten years tribute acts to the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain and Phil Lynott have been providing a post-industrial town the chance to hear some legendary live music.
According to Beryl Trailer (2001)
06 October 2001
Beryl Bainbridge on Samuel Johnson and her novel According To Queenie - Johnson through the eyes of Queenie Thrale, the eldest daughter of Henry and Hester Thrale.
Miller Meets Mandela Trailer (1991)
18 January 1991
For the first time since his release from 27 years of imprisonment Nelson Mandela opens up about his life and the turbulent times he's faced in this momentous, in-depth and revealing interview with Arthur Miller.
Peter Shaffer Trailer (1976)
13 October 1976
Writer Peter Shaffer talks about his plays, his life and the theatre. 'I think the live experience in the theatre is very important when you can see shocks and murmurs going through the house.
Screen Goddesses Trailer (2012)
22 December 2012
With the beginnings of Hollywood, the star system was born with an archetypal bad girl - the vampish Theda Bara - and the good girl - the blazingly sincere Lillian Gish.
The Englishman and His Jukebox Trailer (1989)
17 March 1989
Documentary on the fascination of jukeboxes and their owners. Made by Arena.
Dylan Thomas: From Grave to Cradle Trailer (2003)
22 November 2003
Born in 1914, Dylan Thomas was an unruly and undisciplined child who was interested only in English at school and was determined from childhood to become a poet.
The Confessions of Robert Crumb Trailer (1987)
13 February 1987
In 1987, Robert Crumb presents himself: raised by a Marine father, educated in Catholic schools, married at 21 in Cleveland where he worked for a greeting card company, dropping acid in 1965, heading to San Francisco and getting in on the formation of Zap Comix, gaining celebrity, loving old time jazz, starting a band, living in a commune, meeting Aline Kominsky who became his second wife and his partner in art, having a daughter, and developing a more realistic drawing style.
Louise Brooks Trailer (1986)
17 April 1986
55-Minute BBC Arena documentary on the film actress Louise Brooks
Arena: Pete Doherty Trailer (2006)
12 November 2006
Pete Doherty, one of the most discussed, intriguing and charismatic pop artists at this time, has always received more attention for his controversial private life than for his music.
Amy Winehouse: At the BBC - Arena: The Day She Came to Dingle Trailer (2012)
23 July 2012
Back in 2006 on a stormy December night, Amy Winehouse flew to the remote, south western corner of Ireland to perform for Other Voices, an acclaimed Irish TV music series filmed in Dingle every winter.
Alan Bennett: 90 Years On Trailer (2024)
13 December 2024
In May 2024, Alan Bennett turned 90. This film celebrates the life and long career of one of Britain's best-loved playwrights.
Today Carshalton Beeches... Tomorrow Croydon Trailer (1981)
31 January 1981
A look at the roles in the rock world of John Peel and John Walters, his radio show producer, in championing new musical directions.
Voices from the Island Trailer (1994)
23 April 1994
Nelson Mandela and his fellow ex-prisoners recall their incarceration on South Africa's Robben Island.
Turner: The Secret Sketchbooks Trailer (2025)
19 November 2025
This groundbreaking documentary unlocks the hidden psychology of J.M.W. Turner through his 37,000 private sketches, drawings, and watercolours – an extraordinary archive that reveals the man behind the masterpieces.
Masters of the Canvas Trailer (1992)
31 January 1992
When pop artist Peter Blake confessed that his fantasy was to be the mysterious masked wrestler Kendo Nagasaki, who never speaks and never removes his mask, little did he know what the consequences would be.
Lene Lovich: Sleeping Beauty Trailer (1980)
23 January 1980
A journey to Berlin with rock musician Lene Lovich and Les Chappell.
The Banana Trailer (1997)
24 December 1997
The Velvet Underground's John Cale tells the story behind Andy Warhol's famous LP cover, Auberon Waus
Luck and Flaw Trailer (1980)
21 May 1980
Pre-Spitting Image fame, mighty politicians fell victim to the savage caricatures of Peter Fluck and Roger Law, better known as Luck and Flaw.
Night and Day Trailer (2015)
22 November 2015
To celebrate Arena's 40th anniversary, a new film made entirely from its own archive, evoking the one experience common to all - the 24-hour cycle from dawn to dusk to dawn again.
Animals on Trial Trailer (1990)
16 December 1990
Part of BBC Arena's Animal Night, this film chronicles a strange era in history when animals were put on trial in human courts.
