The inspirational story of the jolly cardinal Angelo Roncalli, who looks back at his memories as a poor country priest and is eventually elected pope of the Roman Catholic Church.
Discover the story behind the infamous Rivonia Trial, where Mandela and his co-defendants fought for the freedom of South Africa, in this new film. Directed by former high court judge Sir Nick Stadlen, the film follows the 10 leading opponents of apartheid and their lawyers and supporters through the trial. It is an inspiring story of immense courage and self-sacrifice on the part of a small group of multiracial idealists. Though the defendants were saved from the death penalty, eight of the ten were sentenced to life imprisonment, Mandela among them. When Mandela was released 27 years later, he had a vision of multiracial democracy for South Africa.
This is an adaptation of the folk story, “Jin Yu Nu beats her heartless groom with a cane”. Jin Yu Nu, a beggar’s daughter, is a beautiful and kind girl. On a snowy day she saves the life of a poor scholar, Mo Ji. When Mo recovers, he marries Jin with love and gratitude. Mo wins the third place in the imperial examinations, but now he is looked down upon because his wife is a beggar's daughter. Extremely embarrassed and ashamed, Mo wants to divorce but has no excuse. Jin then jumps into the river and Mo has deep regrets but it is too late. Later, Mo’s senior Ambassador Lin appreciates his talents and wants to marry him his daughter. On the wedding night, the bride orders Mo to kneel in her room and beats him hard with a cane. Not until then does Mo know his bride is actually Jin, who has been saved by Lin. At the end, Lin knows Jin still loves Mo and helps the couple reunite.
A documentary showing the functions of the Army Air Corps' First Motion Picture Unit, which made training and inspirational films for the Army Air Force during the Second World War.
An animated special that presents highlights of the life of Daniel Boone, the famous American trailblazer -- from his early childhood years in North Carolina, his love affair with Rebecca Bryan, their courtship, marriage and family life, his work in settling the Kentucky region, and his exploits.
A study of the ruined Egyptian pyramid of the 4th dynasty pharaoh Djedefre, including evidence from a ten-year excavation which supports new theories about his reign and the pyramid's importance.
From 1989 to 1991 a string of unpredictable events happened that brought to light the rivalry between two men: Gorbachev, hindered by the economic results of his perestroika, and Yeltsin, embodying the hopes of the Russian people. Illustrated with interviews of top protagonists such as Mikhail Gobachev himself, the documentary recounts the critical last two years of the former USSR.
Writers and historians including Hilary Mantel and Philippa Gregory revisit the last days of Anne Boleyn, who in 1536 became the first queen in British history to be executed.
John Newton was a troubled young man with a violent temper and a penchant for vulgarity that literally made his fellow sailors blush. Whipped for desertion and sold into slavery, it seemed his life would end early in a West African grave...until he was rescued by a ship captain sent by his father. Following a powerful conversion experience during a storm at sea, Newton would eventually become a pastor in the Church of England and the writer of several of the church's most beloved hymns, including "Amazing Grace".
Between 1405 and 1433, Admiral Zheng He of China led seven epic voyages to more than 30 countries, including Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Kenya and Tanzania. The admiral and his crew gathered knowledge and wealth from Indochina to Africa for China's Ming empire. These voyages were the biggest naval expeditions mounted at the time. Zheng He was bigger than life and could have changed the course of history. But after the seven voyages, he and his Treasure Fleet were forgotten by China, and the world, for six hundred years. National Geographic photographer Michael Yamashita sets sail to discover why. To celebrate the 600th anniversary of Zheng He's maiden exploration voyage, Michael Yamashita traveled over 10,000 miles from Yunnan in China to Africa's Swahili coast taking over 40,000 pictures for the feature story on this great explorer, published in the July 2005 edition of National Geographic.
In 1842 the Crown prosecuted Weewar, a Binjareb Nyungar warrior, for carrying out tribal payback by spearing Dyung of the Mooro Group. When Weewar heard that Dyung, a member of the tribe responsible for the death of his son, was moving through Binjareb Territory he was governed by one law – Traditional Aboriginal Law. Weewar’s trial became the test case in Western Australia which determined that British Law took precedence over traditional law. Dedicated to Theo Kearing a Binjareb Warrior.
In the wake of her passing, fans of the late Hong Kong icon Anita Mui strive to save and return a collection of fan-given gifts that are destined for the landfill. As the items find they way back to the original senders, personal stories of friendship and fandom with the superstar begin to emerge.
For many, UFO experiences & extraterrestrial encounters have been happening for decades. There are some who believe that a secret entity has been covering up stories and suppressing witnesses in an effort to keep UFO mystery under wraps. This special explores the consequences and potential dangers involved when these secrets are finally revealed.
Bright samurai movie innovatively adapted from a classic story. A traveling masterless samurai is asked by a daughter of an established samurai family to pretend they are a married couple, and gets involved in the troubles of the samurai clan.
The film tells the story of Hz. Ömer, who strove to establish justice throughout his caliphate. During the years when Islam was spreading in Mecca, the pagan Quraish tribe still worshipped idols. The leader of the tribe, Abu Jahl, saw Islam as a threat to his own beliefs. Abu Jahl decides to have Muhammad killed in order to prevent the spread of Islam. He assigns Umar, the son of Hattab, to carry out this task. However, while Umar is preparing to kill Muhammad, he learns that his brother and brother-in-law have become Muslims. Upon reading the Quran, Umar also converts to Islam shortly thereafter. He begins to fight against Abu Jahl and the Quraysh tribe. After the death of the Prophet Muhammad, Umar, who became the caliph, will strive to establish justice in the country's administration.