Tony Benn

Acting

Tony Benn

Born April 3, 1925 · Marylebone, London, England, UK

Died March 14, 2014 · aged 88

Anthony Neil Wedgwood Benn was a British politician, writer, and diarist. He was a Member of Parliament for 47 years between the 1950 and 2001 general elections and a Cabinet minister in the Labour governments of Harold Wilson and James Callaghan in the 1960s and 1970s.

Known For

SickoSicko · 2007
Sicko
7.42007
MovieDocumentaryComedy
A documentary about the corrupt health care system in The United States whose main goal is to make profit even if it means losing people’s lives. "The more people you deny health insurance, the more money we make" is the business model for health care providers in America.
Unlawful KillingUnlawful Killing · 2011
Unlawful Killing
5.42011
MovieDocumentary
A documentary about the allegedly conspiratorial killing of Diana, Princess of Wales and Dodi Fayed.
We Are ManyWe Are Many · 2014
We Are Many
6.72014
MovieDocumentary
The story of the biggest demonstration in human history, which took place on 15th February 2003, against the impending war on Iraq.
Creating Freedom: The Lottery of BirthCreating Freedom: The Lottery of Birth · 2013
Creating Freedom: The Lottery of Birth
7.22013
MovieDocumentary
THE LOTTERY OF BIRTH is the first in a three-part documentary series entitled 'Creating Freedom' exploring the relationship between freedom, power and control in Western democracies. The series draws together interviews with some of the world's leading intellectuals, journalists and activists to offer an alternative perspective on today's society and the future we're creating. We do not choose to exist, or the environment we grow up in. Our starting point in life is one of passive reliance on forces over which we have no control. THE LOTTERY OF BIRTH shows that from birth onwards our minds are a battleground of competing forces: familial, educational, cultural, and professional. The outcome of this battle not only determines who we become, but the society that we create.
Anyone for Pennis?Anyone for Pennis? · 1995
Anyone for Pennis?
1995
MovieTV MovieComedy
Celebrities beware, Dennis Pennis is on the loose and getting right in your face. Dennis holds nothing back, daring to ask the question no other interviewer would.
13 Hours That Saved Britain13 Hours That Saved Britain · 2011
13 Hours That Saved Britain
6.32011
MovieDocumentaryWar
In this documentary, experts dissect the Battle of Britain, which took place on Sept. 15, 1940 — a day that determined the fate of the nation.
The Atom: A Love AffairThe Atom: A Love Affair · 2019
The Atom: A Love Affair
6.52019
MovieDocumentary
With a wealth of fantastic archive footage and a series of revealing interviews with those who had first-hand experience, filmmaker Vicki Lesley tells the turbulent story of the West’s love-hate relationship with a nuclear power over the past seventy years. Capturing both the tantalising promise and the repeated disappointments of this singular technology, the film reveals how the post-war, romantic fantasy of an Atom-powered future developed into the stormy, on-off relationship still playing out today. A tale of scientific passion and political intrigue all wrapped up in the packaging of a sentimental screen melodrama.
Tony Benn: Labour's Lost LeaderTony Benn: Labour's Lost Leader · 2014
Tony Benn: Labour's Lost Leader
2014
MovieDocumentaryTV Movie
Obituary film of the lifelong Labour politician, Tony Benn, who was an MP for over 50 years. Born the son of a viscount, Benn was elected Labour MP for Bristol South East at the age of 25, and in his political career became a champion of the working class.

Movies

SickoSicko · 2007
Sicko
7.42007
MovieDocumentaryComedy
A documentary about the corrupt health care system in The United States whose main goal is to make profit even if it means losing people’s lives. "The more people you deny health insurance, the more money we make" is the business model for health care providers in America.
Unlawful KillingUnlawful Killing · 2011
Unlawful Killing
5.42011
MovieDocumentary
A documentary about the allegedly conspiratorial killing of Diana, Princess of Wales and Dodi Fayed.
We Are ManyWe Are Many · 2014
We Are Many
6.72014
MovieDocumentary
The story of the biggest demonstration in human history, which took place on 15th February 2003, against the impending war on Iraq.
Creating Freedom: The Lottery of BirthCreating Freedom: The Lottery of Birth · 2013
Creating Freedom: The Lottery of Birth
7.22013
MovieDocumentary
THE LOTTERY OF BIRTH is the first in a three-part documentary series entitled 'Creating Freedom' exploring the relationship between freedom, power and control in Western democracies. The series draws together interviews with some of the world's leading intellectuals, journalists and activists to offer an alternative perspective on today's society and the future we're creating. We do not choose to exist, or the environment we grow up in. Our starting point in life is one of passive reliance on forces over which we have no control. THE LOTTERY OF BIRTH shows that from birth onwards our minds are a battleground of competing forces: familial, educational, cultural, and professional. The outcome of this battle not only determines who we become, but the society that we create.
Anyone for Pennis?Anyone for Pennis? · 1995
Anyone for Pennis?
1995
MovieTV MovieComedy
Celebrities beware, Dennis Pennis is on the loose and getting right in your face. Dennis holds nothing back, daring to ask the question no other interviewer would.
13 Hours That Saved Britain13 Hours That Saved Britain · 2011
13 Hours That Saved Britain
6.32011
MovieDocumentaryWar
In this documentary, experts dissect the Battle of Britain, which took place on Sept. 15, 1940 — a day that determined the fate of the nation.
The Atom: A Love AffairThe Atom: A Love Affair · 2019
The Atom: A Love Affair
6.52019
MovieDocumentary
With a wealth of fantastic archive footage and a series of revealing interviews with those who had first-hand experience, filmmaker Vicki Lesley tells the turbulent story of the West’s love-hate relationship with a nuclear power over the past seventy years. Capturing both the tantalising promise and the repeated disappointments of this singular technology, the film reveals how the post-war, romantic fantasy of an Atom-powered future developed into the stormy, on-off relationship still playing out today. A tale of scientific passion and political intrigue all wrapped up in the packaging of a sentimental screen melodrama.
Tony Benn: Labour's Lost LeaderTony Benn: Labour's Lost Leader · 2014
Tony Benn: Labour's Lost Leader
2014
MovieDocumentaryTV Movie
Obituary film of the lifelong Labour politician, Tony Benn, who was an MP for over 50 years. Born the son of a viscount, Benn was elected Labour MP for Bristol South East at the age of 25, and in his political career became a champion of the working class.
The Battle of OrgreaveThe Battle of Orgreave · 2002
The Battle of Orgreave
9.02002
MovieDocumentary
Intercuts dramatic photographic stills from the clashes in 1984 with footage of the clashes re-enacted in 2001, together with moving and powerful testimonies, to tease out the complexities of this bitter struggle.
Beyond and Behind the VoteBeyond and Behind the Vote · 1984
Beyond and Behind the Vote
1984
MovieDocumentary
Documentation of the 1984 Chesterfield by-election, which saw Tony Benn returned to parliament, and the early days of the Miners’ Strike which began shortly after.
The Spirit of '45The Spirit of '45 · 2013
The Spirit of '45
6.12013
MovieDocumentaryHistory
How the spirit of unity, which buoyed Britain during the war years, carried through to create a vision of a fairer, united society.
Laissez-faireLaissez-faire · 2015
Laissez-faire
10.02015
MovieDocumentaryHistory
A historical perspective to understand Neoliberalism and to understand why this ideology today so profoundly influences the choices of our governments and our lives.
Paul Robeson: Here I StandPaul Robeson: Here I Stand · 1999
Paul Robeson: Here I Stand
8.01999
MovieDocumentary
Paul Robeson: Here I Stand presents the life and achievements of an extraordinary man. Athlete, singer, and scholar, Robeson was also a charismatic champion of the rights of the poor working man, the disfranchised and people of color. He led a life in the vanguard of many movements, achieved international acclaim for his music and suffered tremendous personal sacrifice. His story is one of the great dramas of the 20th century, spanning an international canvas of social upheaval and ideological controversy.
London: The Modern BabylonLondon: The Modern Babylon · 2012
London: The Modern Babylon
6.42012
Movie
London: The Modern Babylon is legendary director Julien Temple's epic time-traveling voyage to the heart of his hometown.
Taking LibertiesTaking Liberties · 2007
Taking Liberties
6.42007
MovieDocumentary
Taking Liberties Since 1997is a documentary film about the erosion of civil liberties in the United Kingdom and increase of surveillance under the government of Tony Blair. It was released in the UK on 8th June 2007. The director, Chris Atkins, said on 1 May that he wanted to expose "the Orwellian state" that now threatened Britain as a result of Mr Blair's policies.
EthosEthos · 2011
Ethos
6.92011
MovieDocumentary
Hosted by twice Oscar nominated actor and activist Woody Harrelson, Ethos lifts the lid on a Pandora's box of systemic issues that guarantee failure in almost every aspect of our lives; from the environment to democracy and our own personal liberty: From terrifying conflicts of interests in politics to unregulated corporate power, to a media in the hands of massive conglomerates, and a military industrial complex that virtually owns our representatives. With interviews from some of todays leading thinkers and source material from the finest documentary film makers of our times Ethos examines and unravels these complex relationships, and offers a solution, a simple but powerful way for you to change this system!
Blackpool WakesBlackpool Wakes · 1989
Blackpool Wakes
1989
MovieDocumentary
From political conferences to the George Formby Society's annual bash, and Pleasure Beach to the weather, an Arena documentary on the seaside town of Blackpool and its history.
Missing Presumed WipedMissing Presumed Wiped · 2001
Missing Presumed Wiped
8.52001
MovieDocumentary
Documentary about the lost episodes of Dad's Army (1968) and their recovery and restoration.
Margaret Thatcher: The Iron LadyMargaret Thatcher: The Iron Lady · 2012
Margaret Thatcher: The Iron Lady
6.62012
MovieDocumentary
Margaret Thatcher - The Iron Lady is the first major documentary to look back on the development and impact of this remarkable woman, whom commentators of both the political left and right agree changed the face of 20th Century politics forever. Featuring many excerpts from her powerful speeches and insightful contributions from her political supporters and detractors, a portrait emerges of a woman whose strength of conviction eventually becomes the weakness of intransigence.
How to Be Prime MinisterHow to Be Prime Minister · 1996
How to Be Prime Minister
1996
MovieDocumentaryTV Movie
It begins with cheers but almost always ends in tears. Yet, as the election looms, competition for the top job grows ever more intense. Why? The hours are terrible, money so-so, job security non-existent. On the plus side, there's free accommodation in central London and probably more power over your country than any other leader in the western world. With the help of the present and previous incumbents, Michael Cockerell offers the first "how to" guide to the job of prime minister.
The ScarThe Scar · 1997
The Scar
7.01997
MovieDrama
Like many women active during the miners' strike, May Murton (Charlie Hardwick) has been left to clean up the mess. The closure of the pit, a failed marriage and the community’s disintegration have shattered both her personal and political beliefs. Her teenage children (Darren Bell and Katja Roberts) are out of control. Her estranged husband (Brian Hogg) has taken up residence in the allotments. At a dance, the night before the Durham Miners’ Gala, May meets Roy Cotton (Bill Speed) the recently arrived manager of an open cast mine.
ShadesShades · 1982
Shades
1982
Movie
1999: A tower block contains youths ‘bought off’ by the government, in a climate of microchip-created endless leisure, who experience (often pornographic) virtual reality-style fantasies by donning the titular ‘shades’, until a 1980s theme party (they predicted that right, at least) leads to ideology and political thought seeping in under the dazed lifestyle.
Harold Wilson: A LifeHarold Wilson: A Life · 1995
Harold Wilson: A Life
1995
MovieDocumentaryTV Movie
BBC obituary documentary written and presented by Anthony Howard. Broadcast on the day of the death of Harold Wilson, May 24th 1995.
Entertaining the TroopsEntertaining the Troops · 2011
Entertaining the Troops
2011
MovieDocumentary
Documentary telling the story of the ENSA performers who kept up the troops' morale during World War II, with contributions from Dame Vera Lynn, Eric Sykes and Tony Benn.

TV Shows

ArenaArena · 1975
Arena
7.21975
SeriesDocumentary
Arena is a British television documentary series, made and broadcast by the BBC. Voted by leading TV executives in Broadcast as one of the top 50 most influential programmes of all time, it has run since 1 October 1975 with over five hundred episodes made, directed by the likes of Martin Scorsese, Alan Yentob, Roly Keating, Frederick Baker, Volker Schlondorff and Vikram Jayanti. Arena's subjects are a roll-call of the world's best known cultural figures from the 20th and 21st centuries, from singers Bob Dylan and Amy Winehouse to academics Edward Said and Eric Hobsbawm, from writers Jean Genet and V S Naipaul to artists Francis Bacon and Louise Bourgeois. The current series editor is Anthony Wall.
HorizonHorizon · 1964
Horizon
7.41964
SeriesDocumentary
Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.
PanoramaPanorama · 1953
Panorama
6.31953
SeriesDocumentary
Current affairs programme, featuring interviews and investigative reports on a wide variety of subjects.
WoganWogan · 1982
Wogan
5.31982
Series
Chat show hosted by Terry Wogan, featuring live studio interviews with famous and notable personalities.
NewsnightNewsnight · 1980
Newsnight
6.01980
Series
A daily BBC Television current affairs programme which specialises in analysis and often robust cross-examination of senior politicians.
Question TimeQuestion Time · 1979
Question Time
5.91979
Series
This topical debate series based on Any Questions? typically features politicians from at least the three major political parties as well as other public figures who answer pre-selected questions put to them by a carefully selected audience.
American MastersAmerican Masters · 1986
American Masters
7.01986
SeriesDocumentary
American Masters is a PBS television series which produces biographies on enduring writers, musicians, visual and performing artists, dramatists, filmmakers, and others who have left an indelible impression on the cultural landscape of the United States.
GMTVGMTV · 1993
GMTV
5.81993
Series
GMTV is the name of the national Channel 3 breakfast television contractor/licensee, broadcasting in the United Kingdom from 1 January 1993 to 3 September 2010. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of ITV plc in November 2009. Shortly after, ITV plc announced the programme would end. The final edition of GMTV was broadcast on 3 September 2010.
TimewatchTimewatch · 1982
Timewatch
6.91982
SeriesDocumentary
Timewatch is a long-running British television series showing documentaries on historical subjects, spanning all human history. It was first broadcast on 29 September 1982 and is produced by the BBC, the Timewatch brandname is used as a banner title in the UK, but many of the individual documentaries can be found on US cable channels without the branding.
Democracy Now!Democracy Now! · 2001
Democracy Now!
6.92001
SeriesDocumentary
A United States daily progressive, nonprofit, independently syndicated program of news, analysis, and opinion.
World in ActionWorld in Action · 1963
World in Action
7.01963
SeriesDocumentary
World in Action was Granada Television’s flagship ITV current affairs series, running from 7 Jan 1963 to 7 Dec 1998, and built a reputation for film-led investigative reporting and a forceful editorial stance. Its journalism produced major public and political repercussions—including investigations associated with miscarriages of justice such as the Birmingham Six—and it also served as a platform for landmark documentary projects, including the first broadcast of “Seven Up!” as part of the strand in 1964.
HARDtalkHARDtalk · 1997
HARDtalk
8.71997
Series
In-depth interviews with hard-hitting questions and sensitive topics being covered as famous personalities from all walks of life talk about the highs and lows in their lives.
This WeekThis Week · 2003
This Week
7.02003
Series
Andrew Neil, Michael Portillo and friends with late night political chat.
Later... with Jools HollandLater... with Jools Holland · 1992
Later... with Jools Holland
5.61992
Series
Later... with Jools Holland is a contemporary British music television show hosted by Jools Holland.
TimeshiftTimeshift · 2002
Timeshift
7.02002
SeriesDocumentary
Documentary series which ranges widely over Britain's social and cultural history, its narrative-led storytelling offering a richly immersive and varied window onto the past.
One Pair of EyesOne Pair of Eyes · 1967
One Pair of Eyes
7.01967
SeriesDocumentary
A monthly series of highly personal documentary films in which individuals are given a platform to discuss issues close to their heart.
Weekend WorldWeekend World · 1972
Weekend World
1972
SeriesDocumentary
Weekend World was a British television political series, made by London Weekend Television and broadcast from 1972 to 1988. Created by John Birt not long after he moved to LWT, the series was broadcast on the ITV network at lunchtimes on Sundays. Produced by Nick Elliott and David Elstein, it began by mirroring CBS's "60 Minutes" featuring several stories each week but gradually devolved into a show that featured a forensic interview with a major political figure each week. It was presented by Peter Jay initially when first broadcast in 1972, but was best-remembered for being anchored by former Labour MP Brian Walden between 1977 and 1986. Conservative MP Matthew Parris took over in 1986, resigning his seat, and presented the programme until the series ended in 1988.
Friday Night, Saturday MorningFriday Night, Saturday Morning · 1979
Friday Night, Saturday Morning
7.51979
Series
Friday Night, Saturday Morning was a television chat show with a revolving guest host. It ran on BBC2 from 28 September 1979 to 2 April 1982, broadcast live from the Greenwood Theatre, a part of Guy's Hospital. It was most notable for being the only television show to be hosted by a former British Prime Minister and for an argument about the blasphemy claims surrounding the movie Monty Python's Life of Brian. The programme was the idea of Iain Johnstone and Will Wyatt, who insisted on a changing presenter every fortnight. Another innovation was that the presenters chose the guests they were to interview.
The Money ProgrammeThe Money Programme · 1966
The Money Programme
8.01966
Series
Britain's most popular financial and business programme.
The Book ShowThe Book Show · 2006
The Book Show
2006
Series
Three people -- generally authors but also agents and publishers -- talk about their work as well as the hot topics of the day.
Machine Gun: History Down the Barrel of a GunMachine Gun: History Down the Barrel of a Gun · 1999
Machine Gun: History Down the Barrel of a Gun
1999
SeriesDocumentary
The Mark Steel LecturesThe Mark Steel Lectures · 2003
The Mark Steel Lectures
7.52003
SeriesDocumentaryComedy
The Mark Steel Lectures are a series of radio and television programmes. Written and delivered by Mark Steel, each scripted lecture presents arguments for the importance of a historical figure. The lectures were originally broadcast on BBC Radio 4 over three series between 1999 and 2002. Many of the arguments were illustrated by miniature sketches. These sketches featured Mark Steel, Martin Hyder, Mel Hudson, Carla Mendonça, Femi Elufowoju Junior and Debbie Isitt. The first series was subtitled "A series of lectures about Englishmen who changed the course of history", with the remaining two changing this to "A series of lectures about people with a passion". The first series was produced by Phil Clark; the others by Lucy Armitage. The lecture on Ludwig van Beethoven was nominated for a Sony Radio Comedy Award. The programme transferred to television in 2003, with an Open University series on BBC Four, which was later repeated on BBC Two. This variously featured: ⁕Gerard Logan as Lord Byron ⁕Martin Hyder as Isaac Newton, Sigmund Freud, Aristotle, Che Guevara, Oliver Cromwell, Ludwig van Beethoven and Charles Darwin ⁕Ainsley Harriott as Robert Boyle ⁕Linda Smith as Martha Freud
Late Night Line-UpLate Night Line-Up · 1964
Late Night Line-Up
6.71964
Series
Late Night Line-Up was a pioneering British television discussion programme broadcast on BBC2 between 1964 and 1972. Late Night Line-Up returned for a special one-off edition on BBC Parliament in 2008.
Clarkson's Car YearsClarkson's Car Years · 2000
Clarkson's Car Years
2000
SeriesDocumentaryComedy
Clarkson's Car Years was a television series presented by Jeremy Clarkson and first shown during June and July 2000 on BBC Two. Over the series, Clarkson discusses six different topics relating to motoring, looking at the defining moments of each. The show was produced by BBC Birmingham and executively produced by Richard Pearson. Car Years was the first of two series involving Clarkson which were filmed during his hiatus from Top Gear, and his third documentary series for the BBC, following Motorworld and Extreme Machines. The show was first shown on UK television channel BBC Two, before being shown to an international audience on BBC World. As of 2008, it has regularly been repeated on various UKTV channels, most recently being Dave.