Arena is a long running documentary series with a cultural slant. It has been running since 1975 and has covered a wide range of topics loosely within the art and culture category. As culture can cover just about anything in the human world, this show reflects the same diversity of subjects. The aim is to look at things from an alternative viewpoint to see the wider implications of sometimes well-known subjects or highlight little known topics. Previous subjects have included the music scene of Bombay, the Ford Cortina and looking for the Iron Curtain.

Arena also makes documentaries about artists, actors and filmmakers and includes some defining interviews with influential people. “The Many Lives of David Attenborough” for example,” which won a BAFTA, “Warhol I am From Nowhere, and “Brian Eno – Another Green World which also won an award. Incidentally, Brian Eno provides the theme music for the show with his song “Another Green World”
Arena is currently airing on BBC Four. You can also watch Arena via youriplayer.co.uk

Arena has made over 500 films for this documentary series. The beauty of the show is that it is never the same each week and there will always be something of interest over the series. The extremely high quality of production and delivery combined with a fresh perspective has lead commentators to describe Arena as an oasis in the desert of TV madness.
 Now, tucked away on BBC Four, if you have never watched Arena yourself don’t be put off by its “highbrow” reputation. This programme covers just about anything and even if you don’t enjoy one show, chances are you will be gripped by the next!

 

Watch all episodes of Arena here. Arena is a tv-programme of BBC One. You can see all episodes of Arena here via Youriplayer.co.uk.