What’s On BBC Four Today Wednesday 1 February 2023
A full run down of everything airing on BBC Four today.
19:00
Great British Railway Journeys
S10E13
Michael Portillo reaches the capital on his rail journey from Warwick to Rye in East Sussex.
Michael Portillo reaches the capital on his rail journey from Warwick to Rye in East Sussex. In Ealing, he is transformed for the silver screen by expert hair and make-up, before travelling to Fulham, where he heads underground to explore London’s new super sewer. Then, Michael visits the London School of Economics and Political Science in central London, before finally arriving in Kensington
19:30
The Joy of Painting
S01E13
Bob Ross paints a winterscape
20:00
Michael Palin’s New Europe
S01E04
The presenter visits Ukraine and Hungary
The presenter navigates through Ukraine and Hungary, taking in the culture and talking to locals. He travels to Budapest on the Danube, where he makes his debut on the catwalk. In Kiev he meets a Leeds market trader who has married the daughter of Ukraine’s prime minister, and in Yalta he finds himself on a terrifying fairground ride
21:00
The Magical World of Moss
New discoveries about the plant
A visit to moss-covered landscapes in Japan, Iceland, France and Denmark where scientists are investigating the astonishing properties and potential of these plants. Mosses evolved from oceanic algae that emerged onto the land 450 million years ago, and have become a main source of oxygen for the evolving planet – yet science is only beginning to understand the secrets and the possibilities they hold
22:00
Fortunes of War
S01E01
Drama, starring Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh
Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh star in Alan Plater’s adaptation of Olivia Manning’s The Balkan Trilogy, following the fate of British newlyweds Guy and Harriet Pringle in Bucharest, Romania, on the eve of the Second World War. The drama chronicles their travels as they flee the advancing Germany armies, and the characters they meet along the way. With Rupert Graves, Robert Stephens and Ronald Pickup. Originally broadcast in 1987
22:55
Fortunes of War
S01E02
The Pringles settle into married life
The Pringles feel the effects of political tension following the assassination of the prime minister as they settle into married life. While Guy relishes Bucharest’s colourful social scene, Harriet finds herself increasingly alienated and lonely. Drama, starring Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh. Originally broadcast in 1987
23:55
Fortunes of War
S01E03
The Pringles conceal Sasha from the Iron Guard
The Pringles help to settle Sasha Drucker, who is in hiding from the Iron Guard, while Prince Yakamov takes up residence in their flat – much to Harriet’s displeasure. Drama, starring Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh. Originally broadcast in 1987
00:55
Fortunes of War
S01E04
The Germans occupy Romania
The Pringles return home to find that the flat has been ransacked and Sasha Drucker has disappeared. When the Germans occupy Romania and Guy discovers his name is on a Gestapo hit list, events appear to be spiralling out of control, prompting the couple to make plans to flee the country. Originally broadcast in 1987
01:55
Great British Railway Journeys
S10E13
Michael Portillo reaches the capital on his rail journey from Warwick to Rye in East Sussex.
Michael Portillo reaches the capital on his rail journey from Warwick to Rye in East Sussex. In Ealing, he is transformed for the silver screen by expert hair and make-up, before travelling to Fulham, where he heads underground to explore London’s new super sewer. Then, Michael visits the London School of Economics and Political Science in central London, before finally arriving in Kensington
02:25
The Joy of Painting
S01E13
Bob Ross paints a winterscape
02:55
A History of Britain by Simon Schama
S01E04
A profile of Edward I
Simon Schama presents a profile of King Edward I, nicknamed the Hammer of the Scots and portrayed as a villainous tyrant in the 1995 film Braveheart. He established English rule over Wales, but his attempts to conquer Scotland were thwarted by the fierce resistance led by William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. As a consequence, Scotland and Wales gained a stronger sense of national identity, while Edward was forced to listen to his people’s parliament
03:55
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