The BEST episodes of BBC Documentaries season 1985

#1 - The War Game

Season 1985 - Episode 1 - Aired 7/31/1985

The War Game is a 1965 television film on nuclear war. Written, directed, and produced by Peter Watkins for the BBC's The Wednesday Play strand, its depiction of the impact of Soviet nuclear attack on Britain caused dismay within the BBC and in government. It was scheduled for broadcast on 6 August 1965 (the twentieth anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing) but was cancelled, the corporation publicly stating that "the effect of the film has been judged by the BBC to be too horrifying for the medium of broadcasting". It remained unseen on British television until 1985.

#2 - Billie Holiday: The Long Night of Lady Day

Season 1985 - Episode 7 - Aired 12/7/1985

Billie Holiday's tragic story, from her traumatic childhood ' in Baltimore to her premature death in a New i York hospital at the age of 44, is told in the words of her closest friends and colleagues - but mostly through the songs themselves. Arena has assembled an unprecedented number of her filmed performances.

#3 - To the World's End: Scenes and Characters on a London Bus Route

Season 1985 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/5/1985

To the World's End follows the No. 31 London bus from Camden Town to World's End, Chelsea, meeting characters who live and work along the route.

#4 - The Million Pound Bird Book

Season 1985 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/26/1985

#5 - Marilyn Monroe: Say Goodbye to the President

Season 1985 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/25/1985

Anthony Summer's BBC documentary focuses on the last few days in the life of Marilyn Monroe, and her connection with the Kennedy brothers, John and Robert.

#6 - Photography: Harry Benson

Season 1985 - Episode 8 - Aired 1/18/1985

'Don't tell Richard Avedon, Scavullo, Cartier-Bresson or the dear departed spirit of Cecil Beaton, Harry, but you are my favourite photographer.' (TRUMAN CAPOTE). From his first job on the Hamilton Advertiser via the Daily Sketch and the Express, Benson has now reached the pinnacle of photojournalism, the prestigious magazine, Life. In this film he is interviewed at his Manhattan apartment by the Scottish novelist, William Mcllvanney , and seen on assignment in New York.

#7 - Moment of Truth

Season 1985 - Episode 9 - Aired 9/22/1985

Richard Cooke is a photographer with a passion for air-to-air pictures. He is obsessed by a single aerial photograph: 'the RAF Aerobatic Team,'the 'Red Arrows', trailing smoke, flying straight at his camera. They say it is impossible and too dangerous. But that doesn't stop Richard. He gets a first and last chance to capture the £20 million snapshot.

#8 - D-Day to Berlin: Newsnight Special

Season 1985 - Episode 10 - Aired 5/7/1985

George Stevens's remarkable film is acclaimed by historians as the most important colour footage taken during the war. Milestones covered include the liberation of Paris, the link-up between the Russian and American armies on the River Elbe and the Allied capture of the Dachau concentration camp.

#9 - Ms Rhymney Valley

Season 1985 - Episode 11 - Aired 7/10/1985

Portrait of a community in the heart of South Wales almost one year into the miners' strike. This film does not involve actors, but portrays the lives and experiences of the people.

#10 - Billion Dollar Day

Season 1985 - Episode 12 - Aired 8/16/1985

The documentary focuses on three traders, each located in New York, London, and Hong Kong. The traders are followed throughout a typical day in order to demonstrate the challenges and dedication of each trader.