Biographical documentaries

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From world leaders including Volodymyr Zelensky to icons of pop culture like Elizabeth Taylor or billionaires such as Elon Musk, BBC Select brings you the life stories of the influential people that shaped the past and present. Stream a range of compelling biographical documentaries from the BBC and beyond with BBC Select.

Arthur: King of the Britons

Arthur: King of the Britons

Many legends surround the 5th century British monarch King Arthur. The Lady in the Lake, the Sword in the Stone, the Round Table, Merlin, and Lancelot and Guinevere. But what is fact and what is merely apocryphal? This edifying history documentary tries to separate the man from the myth. Was Arthur really a king? Did he even exist at all? And why are so many enduring stories linked to him?

Hitler: A Life In Pictures

Hitler A Life in 10 Pictures

Adolf Hitler was careful to cultivate a cult of personality. Images of him were carefully selected by the Nazi propaganda machine. This extraordinary documentary features photos and film from two photographers who dedicated their lives to documenting Hitler: Heinrich Hoffmann and assistant Eva Braun. Unpublished photos and hours of amateur film footage show a rare glimpse of the unseen Hitler.

Turkey: The Rise of Erdogan's Empire

Turkey: Rise of Erdogans Empire

Recep Tayyip Erdogan has grown into a political giant, reshaping Turkey more than any leader in recent times. This fascinating political documentary charts his rise from humble roots to a powerful, controversial ruler. How did he reach such heady heights, what methods has he used to quell dissent, what controversies have dogged his regime and how far is he willing to go to hang onto power?

Europe’s Royals Revealed with Katty Kay

Europe’s Royals Revealed

Once upon a time, the lives of kings and queens were ones of unimaginable luxury. But these days, they are swapping their horse-drawn carriages for bicycles and Downton Abbey for a downtown apartment. Journalist Katty Kay visits the crumbling castles and penthouse flats where Europe’s modern monarchs reside and reign. Along the way she tries to uncover if monarchy can survive in the modern world.

The Source Family

Image of silhouette of a person on the Horizon

Documentary telling the story of Father Yod and his wild 1970s utopian living experiment.

The Source Family was a radical experiment in ’70s utopian living. Their outlandish style, communal living, musical ambitions and glamorous converts made them the darlings of Hollywood’s Sunset Strip. But the unconventional behavior of their spiritual leader Father Yod, caused controversy. Their utopian dreams soon turned into tragedy and disgrace.