The BEST episodes of BBC Documentaries season 1998

#1 - The Darwin Debate

Season 1998 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/28/1998

Melvyn Bragg and a panel of international experts debate what Darwin’s theory of evolution tells us about ourselves and human society. Filmed at the Linnean Society - the world’s oldest biological society - in Piccadilly, London. Panel: Steven Pinker, professor of psychology at MIT Meredith Small, Cornell professor of anthropology Steve Jones, biologist and a professor of genetics and head of the biology department at University College London Sir Jonathan Miller, theatre and opera director, neurologist, author, television presenter, humorist and sculptor

#2 - From Grange Hill to Albert Square.... and Beyond

Season 1998 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/1/1998

Documentary celebrating the 21st anniversary of Grange Hill, the children's drama set in a comprehensive school. Stars of EastEnders Todd Carty, Susan Tully , Michelle Gayle and Sean Maguire were among those who appeared in it. In this programme, cast members past and present reveal the backstage dramas behind the series.

#3 - A Life on the Box: Kenneth Williams

Season 1998 - Episode 3 - Aired 8/21/1998

#4 - Close Up: Dennis Potter Under the Skin

Season 1998 - Episode 4 - Aired 9/9/1998

Documentary details the life and career of writer Dennis Potter.

#5 - Godzilla, King of the Monsters

Season 1998 - Episode 5 - Aired 7/11/1998

Documentary focusing on the Japanese Godzilla, featuring interviews with such people as Director Jun Fukuda, the wide of the late Ishiro Honda and Alex Cox. This documentary incorporates footage from rare shows like "Ultra Q" and films like "King Kong Escapes".

#6 - Frank Sinatra: The Voice of the Century

Season 1998 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/15/1998

Arena explores the rise of the legendary crooner Frank Sinatra from his early family background to overwhelming showbusiness success. Interviews with friends, family and associates reveal a star-studded career in music and film alongside a fascinating private life of four marriages, liaison with the Kennedy family, Las Vegas business interests and an alleged association with the Mafia.

#7 - In My Life: George Martin

Season 1998 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/12/1998

Documentary about the making of former Beatles' producer George Martin 's final album In My Life, featuring Beatles' songs performed by a host of actors, comics and musicians. Tracks include: Come Together - Robin Williams & Bobby McFerrin, A Hard Day's Night - Goldie Hawn, A Day In The Life - Jeff Beck, Here There & Everywhere - Celine Dion, Because - Vanessa Mae, I Am The Walrus - Jim Carrey, Here Comes The Sun - John Williams, Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite - Billy Connolly, The Pepperland Suite - George Martin, Golden Slumbers, Carry That Weight, the End - Phil Collins, Friends And Lovers - George Martin, In My Life - Sean Connery

#8 - Heart By-Pass, Jonathan Meades in Birmingham

Season 1998 - Episode 8 - Aired 5/31/1998

A personal portrait of Birmingham - home of Balti, ELO, heavy metal, conferences, 'Crossroads' and Cadbury's - from its architecture and canals to the Brummie accent and humour.

#9 - BP Confidential

Season 1998 - Episode 10 - Aired 10/10/1998

For the first time in Blue Peter's history, this documentary reveals the true character of those working behind and in front of the camera on Britain's longest continuously running children's programme. It charts Blue Peter's evolution from a hobbies show about dolls and trains to the BBC's flagship children's programme and discovers how Blue Peter was very nearly taken off air. Presenters of every Blue Peter generation give candid accounts of what it was like to work on the programme, and the editors past and present fight back at critics who say the show was too middle class. Narrated by Juliet Stevenson, Blue Peter Confidential questions whether Blue Peter still has a future in the multi-channel digital age and sets the record straight on the missing Blue Peter presenter who until now has been written out of the BBC archives.

#10 - Blue Peter: It's a Dog's Life

Season 1998 - Episode 9 - Aired 10/10/1998

The story of Blue Peter's fondly remembered canines. The programme follows Bonnie through a normal studio day, uncovers the scandal of the dog who died and had to be replaced, and why John Noakes and the BBC fell out over Shep's future.

#11 - Speak Of Me As I Am

Season 1998 - Episode 11 - Aired 6/7/1998

Documentary film looking at the remarkable life of one of America's greatest black heroes. Paul Robeson was a national football star who became a successful stage and screen actor, and enjoyed international acclaim in films such as Show Boat. He used his formidable reputation as a weapon in the fight for human rights for black people in the thirties and forties, but fell foul of both the black and white establishments as a result of his support for communism. Robeson was denounced for un-American activities, trailed by the FBI, had his passport confiscated for eight years and finally died a depressed and reclusive man. In the centenary year of his birth he remains a shadowy and controversial figure in his native country. The programme uses eye-witness accounts and archive footage to construct this portrait of a complex man who sacrificed his career for the sake of social justice.

#12 - J. R. R. Tolkien

Season 1998 - Episode 12 - Aired 2/21/1998

This tells the story of John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, English writer, poet, philologist and author of many stories, including most famously The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. It describes the importance of the rural English West Midlands, where Tolkien grew up, in shaping his literary imagination and how the ancient northern languages he studied and taught throughout his life influenced his writing. These factors stimulated him to provide a context in which his own, invented languages might be spoken: an imaginary land called Middle-earth. Accounts of the origins of The Hobbit and of The Lord of the Rings, and the phenomenal success that Tolkien somewhat reluctantly enjoyed when taken up by the counter-culture of the 1960s are included.

#13 - Bruce Springsteen: A Secret History

Season 1998 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/5/1998

Bruce Springsteen reflects on his enduring career in an interview largely recorded in his New Jersey home.