The remarkable story of a great thinker who helped to form a nation and shape the world.

Over 2,500 years ago, one man devised a way of thinking that still shapes the most powerful and populous nation on earth.
He was Confucius, one of history’s most influential men. But who was he and why do billions of people still follow his teachings?
This stunning documentary explores the life and times of Confucius and demystifies his ideas. We all want to understand China and through Confucius we can.
Watch Confucius and more acclaimed documentaries on BBC Select today. Restrictions apply*.
More documentaries you might like...

Wonderland: Lewis Carroll to JRR Tolkien
Why were so many enduring classic children’s books written in the same 60-year period?

The Art Of Japanese Life
The mysterious and remarkable art and culture of Japan is explored and explained.

Antiques Roadshow
What treasures will be found as antique experts appraise the public’s heirlooms?

Nature And Us: A History Through Art
In the age of climate crisis, what can art teach us about our relationship with nature?

The Art of Gothic
Why were Brits in the 19th-century obsessed with art that was horrific, macabre and weird?

Gauguin: The Full Story
Why was the life of influential artist Paul Gauguin mired in controversy and conflict?

The Body Beautiful: Ancient Greeks, Good Looks and Glamour
Why were the Ancient Greeks so preoccupied with images concerning the naked human form?

Van Gogh: Painted with Words
Powerful docudrama exploring the work and passions of Vincent Van Gogh

The Genius of Carl Faberge
Would you spend $100 million on eggs? You might if they were Faberge.

The High Art of the Low Countries
Size doesn’t matter. How one small region spawned the greatest artists of all time.

The Art of Spain
Territory, politics and religious conflict: the untold history of Spain’s cultural legacy.

Simon Schama's Shakespeare and Us
A Bard’s tale. How Shakespeare united the intellectual and populist like no one else.

War Art with Eddie Redmayne
Academy Award winning actor Eddie Redmayne discovers the artists who saved lives during WW1

Write Around the World
Revisit your favourite reads with Academy Award nominee Richard E. Grant

Harry Potter - A History of Magic
They’re the fastest-selling books in history. But what inspired the enchanting world of Harry Potter?

The World's Greatest Paintings
What makes a particular artwork an iconic masterpiece? Andrew Marr investigates.

The Impressionists
Who were the Impressionists and what fueled their desire to alter the direction of art?

Vincent: The Full Story
What do we really know about Vincent van Gogh, arguably the world’s most famous artist?

The Art Mysteries
Think you know these works by Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cezanne and Seurat? Think again.

The Story of Women and Art
Restless, resistant and radical. How female artists transformed art from the outside

The Romantic Revolution
Wild visionaries and imaginative truth seekers whose radical ideas still resonate today.

Grayson Perry's Art Club
Artist Grayson Perry releases a torrent of quarantine-creativity in his lockdown art club.
Biographical documentaries
From world leaders to the kings and queens of pop culture, BBC Select tells the true-life stories of some of the most influential people of our time.

Elton John: Uncensored
Elton John opens up to Graham Norton about his childhood, stardom and addiction battles.

A Life in Ten Pictures - Freddie Mercury
The life of Queen's Freddie Mercury told through photographs

Gauguin: The Full Story
Why was the life of influential artist Paul Gauguin mired in controversy and conflict?

The Real Lawrence of Arabia
Who was the man behind Lawrence of Arabia and why does he inspire such devotion today?

Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette is considered decadent, uncaring, and reprehensible. But is this fair?

Turkey: The Rise of Erdogan's Empire
How did Recep Tayyip Erdogan become the most powerful leader in Turkey’s recent history?

Arthur: King of the Britons
Why do so many myths and stories surround King Arthur? And did he even exist?

Hitler: A Life In Pictures
Photos and film reveal the public and private life of Germany's infamous dictator.

Europe’s Royals Revealed with Katty Kay
What is the point of modern monarchy? Katty Kay visits Europe’s remaining royals.

Daft Punk: Unchained
Just who are Daft Punk and how do they stay so successful while remaining so mysterious?

Roberta Flack: Killing Me Softly
The astonishing story of one of the biggest music stars of the 1970s: Roberta Flack.

The Source Family
Meet Father Yod and his wild 1970s Hollywood commune, rock band and health restaurant.

Princess Anne: The Seven Loves of Her Life
The complex and at times scandalous love life of Queen Elizabeth’s only daughter.

The Amol Rajan Interviews: Billie Jean King
In an exclusive interview the tennis legend opens up about her incredible life and career.

The Amol Rajan Interviews: Novak Djokovic
In this BBC interview, Tennis star Novak Djokovic discusses his incredible career and recent events including his decision not to have the Covid-19 vaccine in the height of the global pandemic.

image of a woman standing in front of a collage of images of the now royal family
Before They Were Royal
A fascinating look into the familiar faces of the lives of those who married into the British royal family. What was life like before they joined the British royal family? This compelling documentary series looks at the early lives of various royals, including Prince Philip and Camilla Parker-Bowles before fame and their acceptance into the monarchy.

Schindler: The Real Story
How did Oskar Schindler differ from the one seen in the famous film?

Princess Diana: A Life After Death
How Princess Diana's tragic death and legacy changed the British monarchy forever.

Princess Margaret: Queen of Mustique
Scandal and gossip stalked Princess Margaret on the luxurious island of Mustique.

A Life In Ten Pictures: John Lennon
Photographs help to reveal the true nature of music icon and Beatles star John Lennon.

When the Queen Spoke to the Nation
Exploring the Queen’s annual Christmas Day messages and other special addresses.

Picturing Elizabeth: Her Life in Pictures
The stories behind some of the most famous and era-defining pictures of Queen Elizabeth II.

A Life In Ten Pictures: Muhammad Ali
Ten photographs show a different side of boxer Muhammad Ali

Thatcher & Reagan
What was the attraction between these two world leaders and how did it change history?

Elizabeth I and II: The Golden Queens
Exploring the parallels between Queen Elizabeth I and II

My Years with the Queen
What’s it like to be close friends with Queen Elizabeth II? Lady Pamela Hicks reveals all.

Kissinger: Statesman or War Criminal?
Henry Kissinger: canny political operator or a despicable war criminal?

The Queen Mother
The triumphs and pain that came to define the woman affectionately known as the Queen Mum.

Calculating Ada: The Countess of Computing
How did a scandalous 19th-century countess help create the modern era of computing?

Simon Schama's Shakespeare and Us
A Bard’s tale. How Shakespeare united the intellectual and populist like no one else.

Zelensky: The Making of a President
The transformation of Ukraine's President Zelensky from comic to respected world leader.

In Louboutin's Shoes
Sole man. Inside the fashion world of footwear designer Christian Louboutin.

Reclaiming Amy
The friends and family of Amy Winehouse reveal the truth about the British music icon.

Manolo: The Boy Who Made Shoes for Lizards
What drives the legendary shoe designer and self-confessed 'cobbler' Manolo Blahnik?

David Bowie: Finding Fame
How did humble David Jones become David Bowie - an icon that transformed music forever?

Vincent: The Full Story
What do we really know about Vincent van Gogh, arguably the world’s most famous artist?
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